Many choose to move over the summer or during the Christmas holidays as these are the times they have most days off. However, this is a critical time for your dog to be on the move. In the summer, many parts of the country experience blistering heat and you will have to be very careful to leave your furry friend in a car …
Moving home can be a very stressful time. The planning, the uprooting, the packing, everything takes more time than you would have thought, and little things might surprise you along the way. If you have cats or dogs, moving house with your pets can be even more complicated and time-consuming. However, with some careful planning and preparation, things can go a lot smoother. Your little friend should get as much attention as you could possibly spare, and it worth always remembering that your pet will pick up on your stress and worry.
First of all, ensure that you have a collar on your cat or dog with an identity tag. Unfortunately, during the stress of the moving day it is easy for dogs to quickly sneak out and run, especially if they get stressed by all the fuss of the move. The tag should include your phone number as well as the new address. If it is possible, take your pet to the new home before the moving day. This will allow them to become familiar with their new surroundings. Dogs become just as attached to their territory as humans get to their homes, so if you are uneasy about the move, remember that they might be feeling the same.
Make arrangements for the pets to stay with friends or family on the moving day. Familiar surroundings will keep them calm and ensure that no additional stress is placed upon your furry friend. Alternatively you could set aside money in your moving budget to place your pet in a kennel for the day. This is easiest if you have a dog or a cat, but some bigger cities have animal day care that accept all sorts of pets. If the pet is with you on the moving day and you are using a removal company or asking friends and family to help you move, make sure that everyone says hi to your pet and acknowledges its presence to avoid distress to the animal.
It is always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian before moving. They will be able to advice you if your pet will need some special medication, or provide other helpful tips on how you can make the experience as good as possible for your little friend. Some dogs get car sick and this could be heightened by the stress they are experiencing from the move. The vet should have medication that can help with the nausea and ease the experience for the dog.
Many choose to move over the summer or during the Christmas holidays as these are the times they have most days off. However, this is a critical time for your dog to be on the move. In the summer, many parts of the country experience blistering heat and you will have to be very careful to leave your furry friend in a car with no windows open or air-conditioning on. The temperature in a parked car on a sunny day, even if placed in the shade, rises rapidly. Your dog will need plenty of water to stay hydrated and make sure that you take them for walks and allow them fresh air at regular intervals. Allowing your dog to get out and move about, as well as marking their new territory, is extremely important in order for them to settle in. Set an alarm on your phone to go off every 30 minutes or hour to check on your friend and make sure that they are feeling perky and content.
With all these tips in mind you will be able to continue with your move, without upsetting your fury little friend too much, and helping them settle into their new home.
Ingunn is a Norwegian living in the UK and has experience with moving homes and has done so both with the help of moving companies and on her own with pets.
