Settling In: Top Tips for Making Your Next Move Less Stressful for Both You and Your Pet
Moving into your new home is exciting, but also stressful. Here are some great tips for those of us with pets to help with getting ready to make the move. Thanks to our guest blogger Elliot Howarth.
Moving home is stressful for all families. There are hopes and there are also fears, often unspoken. As well as the prospect of new schools and jobs, you will be leaving behind familiar surroundings and friends and will have to build a new social circle from scratch. But what about the family pets? Although they will not share the hopes and fears, they will still pick up on the tensions in the air, and they will be unprepared for the noise and bustle of moving day.
Keep Things Calm
As far as you can, keep your pets out of the action when moving. The whole business is completely beyond their experience and it is impossible to predict how they will react. If they are nervous animals at the best of times, this will test them to the limit. It is essential to keep them secure, preferably in a room which has already been emptied; or get a family member to take them for a long walk. As far as possible follow their normal routine for exercise and feeding.
Sort Out Your Vet
Speak to your vet before you go and have a check-up. You vet will also be able to research the area you are moving to, especially if it is overseas, and advise you if any extra vaccinations are recommended. If your pets are not micro-chipped, get that done and registered. You can also start to think about finding a vet when you arrive. Look for a vet who is fairly close to your new home, and who offers good out-of-hours cover.
Make registration with a clinic a priority when you arrive. Ideally, you will want personal recommendations and to judge a clinic by your gut feelings when you walk in, but that is not always possible. If you are crossing the world and need to find a vet in Dubai, for instance, you will have to do a lot of the work on the internet.
Manage the Journey
Even if your car is loaded with other stuff, leave plenty of room for your pets to travel with you. If you are driving some distance, stop frequently for games and treats. If you are flying to your destination, check with the airline to be sure you have all the paperwork in place and know what to expect.
Stage the Move
It is not often possible, but if you are in a position to have access to both houses at the same time, then introduce your pets to the new house before moving day. Then move your belongings. Finally bring your pets along so that they are greeted by familiar sights and smells.
A Good Start
Fortunately, our pets are remarkably resilient. Unlike ourselves, they will not pine over lost friends and comforts, and will adapt remarkably quickly to a new environment. Just ease the trauma of moving day and provide lots of reassurance in the days ahead, and they will feel at home long before you do.
Elliot Howarth treats his pets like members of the family and enjoys writing pet articles for an online audience. He has 2 dogs, Mollie and Max who are golden retrievers.