Moving House with Pets – What You Need to Consider

Your Comprehensive Guide to Moving With Pets

An essential aspect of house relocation is planning ahead. And preparation is even more important when you have pets to think of.

As you may already know, even small changes can be quite unsettling for pets, including dogs and cats, and other types of pets like fish, birds, guinea pigs and so on. So, with a house move, the effect on your pets would likely be traumatic.

To prevent your move from Perth (or wherever you are) from turning into a logistical nightmare and a traumatising experience for your animal companions, advanced, thorough planning is key. Having a comprehensive moving checklist that includes the care and transport of your pets would benefit all of you.

So, to assist you with your move, here’s a comprehensive guide designed to make your relocation a less stressful time, especially for your pets.

Before Moving with Pets

Designate a Relaxing Retreat for Your Pet

Before moving day:

• Create a haven for your pet.
• Pick a room you can empty early.
• If you have a dog, choose a room near a fenced-in outdoor area for potty breaks.

Set up the pet haven. Clear the room entirely and move any packed boxes elsewhere. Then, bring in your pet’s food and water bowls, toys, bed, and litter box (if needed). Let your pet explore this space beforehand to feel comfortable when the moving day arrives.

Moving day bonus: Calm, pet, calm you! Because this room will be empty, movers won’t need to enter, keeping your furry friend undisturbed and less stressed throughout the chaos.

Explore Other Options

If loud noises, strangers, or change in general make your pet anxious, consider having a trusted friend or family member take care of them during the move. This familiar company will keep your pet calm and avoid the stress of a chaotic house full of movers.

If you have no family or friends, pet sitters, kennels, and catteries are all options. Research and book well in advance to find a place you trust. Before your pet’s stay, remember to ensure its vaccinations are current with a vet visit.

Prepare to Hit the Road

Make sure they travel safely when you are moving house with pets! According to traffic laws, pets need to be restrained in the car. This means a doggy seatbelt or a secure, vet-approved carrier.

For longer trips or hot days, pack a travel water bowl, their usual food, and plenty of fresh, cool water for rest stops.

Take a Stroll and Check out the Neighbourhood

Before the big day, take your dog for walks in your soon-to-be neighbourhood. This will help them get used to their new home’s sights, smells, and sounds (and maybe even discover a favourite walk route!). With a familiar routine established, moving day will be less overwhelming for your furry friend.

Moving with Pets: Moving Day

Try Calming Diffusers

All the commotion and unfamiliar faces can stress out even the most easygoing pet. Consider using a pheromone diffuser in their designated room to keep them calm. These diffusers release natural scents that humans can’t smell but work wonders on soothing anxious or stressed pets.

Following Up On Your Pet

Don’t ditch your distressed pet! Moving is a confusing time for pets, and being left alone can make them anxious. If you need to keep your pet in a separate room during the move, check in on them often to reassure them you’re close by. Remember, some pets (especially cats) might try to escape in a panic. Make sure doors and windows are secure before you leave.

Leave fresh water and calming toys to keep your pet entertained. Puzzle feeders are great for dogs while scratching posts help cats de-stress (make sure it’s tall enough!).

Map Out Their Meals in Advance

Skip the big meal before you go – it can make them car sick. Instead, offer small snacks throughout the day. This keeps them occupied, distracts them from the commotion, and is easier on their stomach if they get anxious.

Bonus tip: Swap some of their usual food for treats! Rewarding calm behaviour makes the trip smoother for everyone.

Take Care of Everything Else First

Hold off on transporting your pet until after the movers are gone and things have settled down. This quieter environment makes it easier to move your pet without them getting stressed. When moving house with dogs, an excellent pre-move walk can help burn off energy and prevent them from getting overexcited in their new home.

Make It Inviting

Make your pet’s new digs feel like home! Before they arrive, unpack their bed, bowls, and toys in a designated room. This familiar setup will ease their initial nervousness and help them feel comfortable immediately. Consider using a pheromone diffuser for an extra calming effect.

Bonus tip for anxious pets: Tuck away a piece of your clothing with your scent. It can be a source of comfort during stressful moments.

Moving with Pets: Settling to New Home

Revise Their Information

Microchips are your best friend if your pet escapes! Get your pet microchipped if they aren’t already. It dramatically increases your chances of a happy reunion. Once settled in your new place, update your pet’s microchip registry with your new address and phone number. Don’t forget to update your pet insurance company and their ID tag!

Patience is Key

Let your pet explore their new kingdom at their speed! There’s a lot for them to sniff and discover, so be patient and let them explore each room on their own terms. Don’t pressure them into anything new, especially stairs, if they’re not used to them.

Instead of forcing them, use treats or praise to reward their bravery when exploring new areas. This will help them adjust comfortably over time.

Look out for Potential Risks

Before letting your pet loose in a new home, ensure each room is paw-sitively safe. If any renovation or decorating is happening, keep those rooms firmly closed. Curious critters can get hurt by tools or supplies. Only give your pet the green light to explore once the work is done, everything’s put away, and the area is safe for their little adventures.

Check out the Garden Together

Like the house, ensure your yard is ready for your pet. Double-check it’s secure, free of poisonous plants, and perfect for your furry friend. For dogs, start with walks on a leash, letting them explore at their own pace. Having you by their side will make them confident during their big outdoor adventure.

Ensure Cats Stay Indoors

Indoor cats need a slow introduction to the outdoors. Since cats are territorial, keep them inside for a few weeks to adjust to their new home. Once they’re ready, leave something familiar outside with your scent, like old boots or pots from your previous home. This familiar scent will act like a beacon, helping them recognise their territory and find their way back safely if they wander.

Allocate Time for Meaningful Bonding

Moving is a whirlwind, but don’t forget to shower your pet with love and attention. They can pick up on your stress, so quality time is key. Especially for dogs, avoid leaving them alone during those first few days or weeks in the new place.

Routine is key! Get them back to their normal schedule as soon as possible. Familiar walks, feeding times, playtime, and snuggles will help them feel secure and adjust to their new surroundings much faster.

Moving House with Pets: Key Considerations

There are certain factors you need to consider that will impact your decisions, particularly ones that involve pet care and transport.

1. The distance of your move and mode of transport

Are you relocating via land or air transport? Your choice here will be impacted by the distance of your new address from your old one. It can also make a significant difference in the documents you need to prepare and fees you’ll pay to move your pets from your old place to your new neighbourhood.

Moving by land

The arrangements you need to make when moving by land would be much easier and simpler than when you need pet air transport. In this case, you need to talk to your vet so they can give your pets thorough exams and a clean bill of health. Ensure your pets’ health records are updated, and ask your vet for referrals to vets they know in your new neighbourhood.

Moving by air

Pet relocation via an airplane requires more than just going to the airport with your documents and paying.

Depending on the type of pet you have and its size, you need to make the necessary pre-arrangements and documentation to ensure your air travel is relatively fuss-free. Also, know that air travel can prove risky for specific types of pets, even in the most ideal conditions.

For example, moving with a dog by air can be problematic if your pup belongs to the brachycephalic (snub-nosed or flat-faced) breeds. These fur babies are susceptible to heat exhaustion, which is why pet air transporters set specific conditions.

Having a good-quality, airline-approved pet crate is just a basic requirement, whether you’re moving with cats or dogs. But with brachycephalic pups, there are certain seasons when it is ill-advised to move them, such as during summer and certain times of the day.

Therefore, working with specialised pet relocation services is key in ensuring the best outcome for the care and transportation of your pets.

They’ll take care of everything – including providing you with air and vehicle transport options. They can arrange for the pickup of your pet from your old home, provide temporary housing and care until you are ready to receive your pets in your new place.

2. Your type of pet

As mentioned earlier, pets are sensitive and affected by change easily. You can try to make moving less stressful for your pets by planning for everything. Depending on the kind of pet you have, you’ll be making the following preparations a few months or weeks prior to your move.

Dogs and moving to a new home

Let your pup get used to being inside a kennel, carrier or pet crate while you are driving around your neighbourhood or for a couple of kilometres. Doing so will help your dog feel comfortable and safe in their designated container.

This training is also helpful in alleviating dog moving anxiety and for preparing your pup for longer drives via land transport. You can also try covering the carrier with a blanket to help calm your pup.

Moving house with a cat

Cats are jittery creatures, especially cats stressed out from moving. Try to follow a pet crate training routine combined with a drive, similar to what you’ll do with your dogs.

Doing this as early as possible is crucial in ensuring your pet is prepared for the upcoming move. If you have just one cat, usually you can arrange for it to travel with you in-cabin if you’re flying to your new place.But if you have several cats, they can share an airline-approved pet container via cargo travel.

3. Pet feeding and play

Even in the middle of the madness that is packing, do your best to keep to a normal feeding and playtime schedule. This way, your pets can continue to enjoy the regularity and stability of their current schedule.

As you train your pet to stay in their carrier, cage or crate, include some of their favourite toys to make them feel at home. Relocating cats to a new home can be difficult, but you can ease them into the process. The same can be said of dogs and moving, so you might also need to ask your vet about how to calm a dog in a new home.

4. Taking care of packing

You can start packing around six to eight weeks before your actual move.

However, the anxiety of moving your cats and dogs to a new home, and all the unpacking and organising you need to do afterwards, may sink in when you start packing. This means more work awaits when you get to your new place.

Try to relax and avoid letting your pets know about your worries. Shield your pets from the hustle and bustle at home by keeping your packing supplies in one room and doing all your packing from there.

While you’re at it, prepare some essential pet supplies that’ll last your pets a few days when you arrive in your new home. Keep these items along with your overnight essentials. This way, you won’t get frazzled looking for the items you need when you get there.

5. Adjusting to your new place

When you finish moving, you’ll naturally be concerned with how to calm down a cat after moving or how to help puppies adjust to a new home.

What you should do is to secure your new place, especially if there are escape artists in your pet brood. This way, they can safely explore their new surroundings and get used to the new sights, scents and sounds.

Let your pets stay in the carriers they travelled in for a few days until you can finally set up their new space. Guide them gently as they adjust and avoid leaving them alone early on.

Tips When Moving With Pets

Navigating a move with pets requires careful planning and consideration to ensure their comfort and safety throughout the transition. Here are essential tips to help you and your furry companions settle into your new home smoothly.

Maintain Consistency in Their Routine

Keep your pet’s routine on track during your move! Sticking to their usual feeding times, walks, playtime, and morning/night routines will help them feel calm and secure throughout the chaos of moving. This consistency will comfort them in the days leading up to the move and even after you’ve settled into your new home.

Get a Head Start On Packing

Packing early can be a lifesaver for pets who dislike change. Getting a head start on packing will gradually introduce your pet to the upheaval of moving, making the actual moving day less stressful for them (and maybe even you!).

Schedule Any Necessary Services

Free yourself from some stress by arranging pet care well in advance. Daycare, a pet sitter, or a trusted friend or family member can all be great options.

Moving day is chaotic, with open doors and strangers around. Having your pet safe and cared for gives you peace of mind and lets you focus on settling in your new home.

Prioritise Unpacking Essentials Upon Arrival

Pack pet essentials last: Prioritise packing your belongings and leave your pet’s toys, treats, bed, and food bowls for later. This ensures they have familiar items to comfort them during the move.

Unpack pet essentials first: Once you arrive at your new home, unpack their things first. Seeing their familiar bed and toys will help them feel secure and adjust to their new surroundings faster.

Cosy corner for moving day: If your pet has a favourite bed or blanket, keep it out until they’re safely settled in their new home. This creates a familiar haven for them during the stressful moving process.

Schedule a Vet Visit for Them

• Vet visit before you go: Schedule a checkup with your current vet.
• Get all the records: Ensure your pet’s vaccinations are current, request medication refills, and ask for a copy of their health history to bring to the new vet.
• Discuss moving stress: Talk to your vet about health concerns and get tips on reducing your pet’s anxiety during the move.

Find Pet-Friendly Rentals

Book pet-friendly accommodations. Not all hotels or rentals allow pets. Search for “pet-friendly” options on booking websites. Most will list pet policies detailing any weight limits, restrictions on the number or type of animals, or additional pet fees to factor into your moving budget.

Get Your Furry Friend Travel-Ready

• Dogs: Pack a familiar bed or blanket to create a cosy, relaxing spot in the car.
• Cats: Carriers are generally the safest option for feline travel.
• Small mammals (hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs): Remove heavy or sharp objects from their cage. Ensure proper ventilation and shade, and keep noise levels low to avoid startling them.
• Fish: Transport them in plastic bags filled with tank water and ample air. Pack these bags in a styrofoam cooler for insulation.
• Birds: Secure their cage with a seatbelt, providing shade and good ventilation during travel.
• Warm-blooded snakes: Place hot water bottles near their travel carrier to maintain their preferred temperature.

Book Long-Distance Pet Transport for Your Upcoming Move

Consider hiring a professional pet transportation company for cross-country moves. These companies specialise in safely transporting pets by car or plane. Each company will have specific requirements for preparing your pet for the trip. Research and book their services well to secure a spot for your furry friend.

Pack an Emergency Survival Kit

Keep a handy bag stocked with essentials your pet might need during the move. This should include:

• Extra water and food
• Bowls
• Leash (for dogs)
• Waste bags (for dogs)
• Medications
• Favourite toys
• Copy of pet’s medical records
• Contact info for your regular vet and an emergency vet near your new home

This readily available kit saves you from digging through boxes if your pet needs something during the move.

Prepare Your New Home for Your Pet’s Arrival

Before letting your furry friend loose, give your new home a once-over to ensure their safety:

• Secure exits: Double-check that all doors and windows are locked or latched to prevent escapes.
• Escape-proof yard: Ensure your yard is fully fenced and secure to keep your pet from wandering off.
• Toxic-free zone: Remove any harmful materials or chemicals your pet could ingest.
• Window worries: Inspect window screens for holes your pet can squeeze through.
• Seal up hiding spots: Block any nooks or crannies where your pet could get stuck and injure themselves.

Moving Home with Pets FAQs

What’s the best way to help my pet feel at ease in our new place?

Dogs:

1. Room-by-Room Exploration: Let your curious canine sniff out each room at its own pace. The familiar scents of furniture and bedding will be comforting.
2. Reward Calm Behaviour: Treats and praise go a long way when your dog explores calmly.
3. Secure the Space: Block potential escape routes to prevent accidents during excited exploration.

Cats (Extra Caution Needed):

1. Gradual Introduction: For a few days, confine them to a familiar room with food, water, a litter box, and toys.
2. Room-by-Room Expansion: Gradually introduce them to the rest of the house, one room at a time, at their own pace.
3. Escape-Proofing: Block escape routes just like with dogs. Consider an enclosed outdoor run for future enrichment.
4. Microchip Update: Ensure your cat’s microchip details are up-to-date in case of escape. Be extra vigilant about keeping doors closed.

Exploring the Outdoors:

Dogs:

1. Supervised Exploration: Let your dog explore the property on a leash first, especially if other animals or young children are around.
2. Secure Fencing: Ensure fences are high enough, sturdy at the base to prevent digging, and well-maintained to prevent breaks.

General Tips:

• Moving is stressful for everyone, including pets.
• Be patient and allow your pet to adjust to their new surroundings at their own pace.
• Maintain a routine of walks, playtime, and cuddles to comfort your furry friend.

How can I reduce stress for my pet during a move? 

Moving can be stressful for pets. To ease their transition, maintain their routine as much as possible, gradually introduce them to moving boxes, and provide familiar bedding and toys in the new home.

Should I find a new veterinarian before moving? 

Before moving, it’s a good idea to research and find a new veterinarian in your new neighbourhood. Transfer your pet’s medical records to the new vet, and ensure you have any necessary medications on hand during the transition.

What precautions should I take if moving internationally with my pet? 

Moving internationally with pets requires careful planning. Research the destination country’s pet import regulations well in advance. Ensure your pet’s vaccinations are current, and consider obtaining a pet passport or health certificate as required.

Feel at Home with Your Pets

Ensuring pet safety and comfort is paramount during a house relocation.

You can ably handle the stress of moving with pets by working with reliable and professional Perth removalists that’ll help you arrange your pet care and transport needs.

Once you’re in your new neighbourhood, you can focus on keeping your pets safe and giving them the time and space to enjoy themselves.

Soon, you and your pets will get into the rhythm of things and finally feel at home.