On the move!
MOVING HOUSE WITH PETS
They say moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do and after my recent experience of relocating from Sydney to Melbourne, I have to agree. There was so much to coordinate and it was an exhausting time both physically and mentally. If moving has such an impact on us humans, its not surprising that it can really take its toll on our four legged friends.
I was pretty sure that my dog, Toby would take the move in his stride but I was quite concerned about my cat, Milly. Cats love home comforts and a familiar routine. They can be upset by the slightest change in their environment and this can lead to all sorts of behavioural problems. Some dogs can also get very stressed and suffer anxiety and develop behavioural issues like separation anxiety.
Preparation is the key and there are a few things you can do to help minimize stress for all.
Be sure to :
- Prepare a new identity tag in advance for your pets collar and register your pet immediately with your new local council
- Update any microchip details.
- Make sure vaccinations,worming etc are up to date.
- Get a copy of your pets veterinary records so you can take these to a vet in your new area.
- Do your research about the area you are moving to in case there are new dangers to be aware of such as ticks and snakes. Talk to your vet about how to prepare for these.
- Make sure all fences at your new property are secure.
Moving
- As difficult as it is, try to minimize noise and movement around your animal. Perhaps ask a friend to look after you pets while all the packing is done, to minimize stress. With cats, placing them in a secure carry basket and placing them in a quiet room like a bathroom is less traumatic than having them involved in the action. You also want to make sure they don’t get frightened by the noise and run away or hide.
- On moving day try to stick to your dogs normal routine as much as possible. Walk and feed as usual and then place him/her in the backyard or quiet room. Be sure to reassure regularly.
- Pack your pets belongings last so they are really easy to find- include bedding, bowls, blankets and favourite toys. Dont wash bedding and blankets before the move so they smell familiar in their new home.
- Make sure you pack some of your pets normal food just in case it is not readily available at your new destination. Changing food suddenly may cause tummy upsets, which is the last thing you need at this time.
- Try to get the furniture into the house before your pet arrives.That way there will be some familiar comforts and your pet is spared a lot the action
- When you arrive at your new home allocate a quiet area to set up your pets belongings. Try to spend some time just sitting quietly with your pet. Your presence will help keep them calm.
Settling
- I recommend keeping dogs indoors as much as possible for the first few days. Always walk on a lead when venturing outdoors. If you are moving to a location very close to your old address, be aware that many dogs ( and cats ) return to their old home. Leave a not for the new residents of your old home just in case.
- With cats, keep indoors for at least a week until you are comfortable that puss is feeling confident in her new surrounds. Moving is a good time to train your cat to become a fully indoor cat.
- Introduce yourself to your neighbours and mention your pets. Animals often run in a panic and hide somewhere as close as next door so its nice to be confident that your neighbour would contact you if your pet turned up.
- Use lots of favourite treats to constantly reward your pet for just being your beautiful pet. If you spread a few treats over the floor of a room, sniffing for them will encourage exploration and help familiarize both dogs and cats with the new turf.
- If your pet seems depressed, loses appetite, or changes its behaviour talk to your local vet who may be able to prescribe something to help settle things down .
Thankfully, things appear to have gone smoothly for me and little Milly has really surprised me..She spent about 2 days exploring every nook and cranny and by the time Toby arrived a few days later, she greeted him like he was her long lost best friend and is as happy as can be. As for Toby, he thinks everyday is an adventure and he is pretty happy with the off leash dog beach a couple of minutes away- doggy heaven!
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