May 4, 2009 – 12:40 am
We all know that moving house is probably one of the most stressful life experiences for us, but it’s probably even more stressful for our pets. Cats and dogs are particularly affected by moving house;- suddenly all the sights, sounds & smells are different and everything is unfamiliar and scary. It can take your pet a few weeks to settle into their new home, so here we outline some of the best ways for you to help the move go smoothly for you and them.
PLANNING THE MOVE
Firstly, you must ensure that your home is a suitable environment for your pets; some manage or rental properties do not allow pets, so remember to ask about their pet policy before you commit. If you are moving from a rural environment to a more urban home, think about the effect the additional noise traffic and other neighbourhood animals may have on your pet as this may affect their behaviour and how much time they can spend outside.
If you are planning a move abroad you will need to make additional arrangements so speak to your vet about and health checks and vaccinations that your pet may need before being accepted into a new country. You will need to contact your travel provider to arrange the physical transport of your pet be it by sea or air; it is likely they will have special requirements. For info on pet passports visit: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm
Make sure you start to plan your pets move well in advance to ensure they can move at the same time as you overall it may take a few month’s to arrange.
MAKING THE MOVE WITH YOUR CAT
Booking them into a cattery for a couple of days while you make the move may be the least traumatic option for them but if your moving some distance away you may want to keep your cat with you. In this case plan your removal day carefully and well in advance. Try to empty one room of your house early about a week before move day and store all your cats’ belongings there. Keeping your pet in this room will keep them familiar surroundings feeling secure for the days running this move when there will be lots of upheaval in the rest of the house. Make sure your cat is in their room the night before your move so you don’t have to find them the next day when you’re ready to leave. Pack away your cats belongings last keeping them easily accessible so on your arrival to your new home you can immediately surround them with familiar items. Choose quit room in which to unpack their things helping them to settle in. once your cat is confident eating well and playing you can gradually introduce them to the rest of the house. Make sure all doors and windows and cat flaps are closed so your cat cannot escape. You should keep your cat indoor for at least two weeks before allowing them to go outdoors if let out too early they may try to return to your old home. If your cat is used to being outdoors and is bored indoors keep them entertained with lots of toys and some cat furniture before letting them play out again.
LETTING THEM OUT AND ABOUT
The best time to first let your cat outdoors is just before a meal this way there will be happy to return for there dinner. Don’t force them to go out let them make their decision. If they don’t want to, try again the next day and eventually there will. Once they go outdoors leave the door open so they can easily run back in if they get scared.
Before letting your cat outdoors make sure you have changed their id tag with your new address and phone numbers – and if they are microchipped, ensure you have updated the database with your new details. If they do go missing, you want to make sure you can be contacted at your new address.
The main problem with moving into a new area is other cats; your new garden may already be another cat’s territory and therefore your cat may get into some scrapes trying to establish their place in the neighbourhood. If your cat is getting into fights make sure you regularly check them over for any wounds or injuries, a trip to the vet will ensure they do not get infected.
Over time your cat will get used to your new home and will settle down in a new neighbourhood. If you are concerned about your cat being bullied by local cats, is scared of going outside or isn’t showing signs of settle down after a prolonged period of time in your new home contact a local behaviour specialist who can offer more advice.
MAKING THE MOVE WITH YOUR DOG
Packing up your house ready to move is likely to disrupt your dog’s familiar routine, and this is enough so unnerve them. Deciding to put your dog in kennels while you move is often the easiest solution to minimise their stress during the move. If, however this is not an option, find a quiet room in which you can move them and some familiar belongings such as their bed and favourite toys, which will keep them content while you pack. When travelling to your new home, make sure your dog is safe during the journey either with a car harness, or secure in a carrier make sure your dog feels comfortable travelling when they are secured.
When you arrive at your new home put you r dog in one room to keep them out of trouble and safe you now know were exactly were are while you unpack.
Surrounding them with familiar belonging which carry the sent of home will keep them feeling secure. Once you have settled down and sorted some of the mess, its good idea to take your dog out to give them some attention and exercise to stretch their legs, but leap them on the lead for the first few trips outside.
SETTLING THEM IN
When you first let your dog explore your new house, accompany them and they will feel more confident if they know were you are in unfamiliar surroundings. All the smells will be new and strange which can be un-nerve your dog, but by keeping some of their and your personal belongings around them they will recognise the smell and feel more confidant. Make sure you immediately build up a routine for your dog too; this will help them to settle in.
Before letting your dog lose outside make sure you have changed their id tag with your new address and phone numbers –and if they are micro chipped, ensure you have updated the database with your new details. If they do escape you want to make sure you can be contacted at your new address. It is advisable to accompany your dog as much as possible whilst outdoors in the first few days, as knowing you are there will help them to adjust more quickly.
MAKING THE MOVE WITH YOUR RABBIT
If your rabbit lives indoors, move their cage into quiet room whilst you pack up and move out as your bunny may find upheaval around them very stressful. Packing up your rabbit’s home and belongings last is the best idea, leaving them in familiar surrounding’s for as long as possible. Make sure you have a suitable carrier to transport your bunny safely to your new home; don’t leave them in their cage or hutch, as they need to be kept secure whilst travelling.
SETTLING IN
Once you have arrived at your new home secure your rabbit in their hutch or cage as soon as possible keeping them safe and content while you unpack. Choosing the right spot for their hutch or cage is vital so consider this carefully. Whether indoors or outdoors choose a shelter and draught free spot away from extremes of temperature. Before you let your rabbit lose in your new house or garden make sure you carry out a few checks to establish if you’re new home is safe:
- Are the garden borders well enclosed to keep your bunny and other animals out?
- Are they any plants in your new garden that may be poisonous and need removing?
- Is there and exposed wiring indoors that your bunny can reach; do you need to bunny proof these?
- Is there anywhere indoor that you need to block access to?
Once you know your new home is safe let your bunny out to explore their new environment pay them lots of attention and surround them with familiar things so they settle in more quickly.
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anzpetsit would like to welcome Hershey’s Friends as our latest member. Hershey’s Friends is owned and operated by Nicky State, and provide dog walking and house / pet minding services in Springthorpe and the surrounding areas.
anzpetsit would like to welcome 
Just a quick message to our members to let them know that following feedback we received after we took over the running of anzpetsit a couple of months ago, we have now created and sent out membership certicates:- they should be with you any time now. If there’s any errors, just drop us an email then we can get them corrected.
anzpetsit would like to welcome ‘