Finding the paw-fect property
When you’re looking for a new house, it’s important to think about your pet’s needs as well as the rest of the family. If you have a cat, dog, or perhaps a rabbit, is there space where they can explore safely? If you’ll be out at work for large parts of the day, is there a reputable dog walker or ‘doggy day care’ to look after your canine companion while you’re working? If you’re moving to a new neighbourhood, you may also need to register with a new vet.
Once you’ve decided where you’ll be moving to, you can start making your home your own.
It’s a good idea to opt for wood flooring, tiles, laminate or vinyl in areas where your pet enters and leaves the house. You can explore the options available via My Redrow. You could even use the utility as a ‘groom room’ to ensure there are no muddy footprints trampled through your home.
Preparing to move with pets
Moving house can be stressful and to make things run smoothly, it’s important to plan ahead.
Cats and dogs love playing in boxes… so be careful they’re not accidentally packed away!
With doors open for large parts of moving day, there’s a chance that your pet may escape or perhaps pose a trip hazard. Arrange a pet sitter or dog walker for the day of the move so that you know that they’re safe and being looked after.
If your cat or dog is staying with you on moving day, designate a room for them and ensure everyone knows which one it is and that the door is kept closed. Their bedding, toys and lead should be the final things you pack up. Other items such as their bowls, towels and the rest of their toys can be packed away earlier in the day.
You’ll also need to consider how you’ll move your pets. This will vary depending on the type of pets that are part of your family, but adjusting their feeding routine should be part of your preparations.
A pet carrier or crate would work for cats, dogs or rabbits. Animals with a collar or harness could be strapped in using a pet seatbelt to keep them secure.
Moving with scaled pets such as fish and reptiles requires a little more preparation.
If you’re moving with fish, use water from their tank to fill up the containers you’ll move them in and remember to leave air at the top. You’ll need to do the same with plants from the tank too.
The type of reptile you have, and the size, will determine how you move with them. One of the most important factors is to maintain the correct temperature during the move.
For both fish and reptiles, you’ll need to wrap the tank in bubble wrap or blankets to avoid breakages.
Smaller animals like rabbits and guinea pigs are generally easier to transport than dogs and cats, but care must still be taken. Heat is a big problem for rabbits so make sure you keep them cool in your car.
Moving may unsettle your pet so you may want to talk with your vet beforehand, particularly if your pet is already anxious, about ways to keep them calm during and after the move.
Make sure you have a copy of your pet’s vaccination schedule and a good supply of any regular medication.
Creature comforts
Once you’ve moved to your new place it’s important to help your pet settle and adjust to their new environment.
Make setting up the tank for your fish or reptiles a priority. You can choose where their new home will be in advance of moving day.
If you have a dog, cat, guinea pig or rabbit put their bed, blankets and toys in one room in your new home so that they have familiar items and scents in their new environment.
Remember to update your pet’s collar and microchip details with your new address so that you can be reunited easily should they get out or go missing.
Cats are perhaps most likely to try to return to your house. For this reason, experts recommend cats should be kept indoors for at least two weeks after moving and only let out once they’re fully settled. Remember to keep the litter tray separate to where they eat and sleep.
If you have a rabbit that usually lives outdoors, it’s worth asking you new neighbours or perhaps in a local Facebook Group if there are any predators such as foxes to be aware of. If so, you may have to make their runs more secure.
Sniff out new places to explore
A new house means new places to walk your dog. Even if your dog has good recall, keeping them on lead restrictions for the first few days’ walks. Experts recommend letting them lead you by their nose. A shorter sniffy walk is a great way to offer enrichment and will help tire your dog out if you’re time poor. It will help you and them explore the new area and meet your new neighbours.
If you’re moving home with children, we’ve put together another handy guide with tips to help it go smoothly.
