Top Tips for Moving House if you Have Pets

Everyone knows that moving house takes a lot of organisation and preparation, but this can be magnified if you have pets to think about during the relocation too. Animals such as cats and dogs can become easily stressed, if you may have fish or a type of reptile that requires large tanks and other equipment.

Whatever the animal, it’s important that owners consider how the move will impact their pet, and ensure they prepare to make the move as easy as possible for everyone. If you’re thinking about moving soon, or have a move coming up, see below for a few ways you can make the process of moving with pets a little less stressful.

Keep them out of the way on moving day

If possible, leave pets with a family member or friend when moving day comes, to avoid as much disruption for them - and you - as possible. If you’re busy loading boxes into vans, carrying heavy furniture and making multiple trips in and out of the house, the last thing you need is a cat or dog getting under your feet.

Update any tags or microchips

If your pet has a collar or microchip, it’s important to update the information with your new details. Get a new collar tag with your updated address, or make sure you add your new address and/or phone number to the microchip database. This way, if your pet does get lost wandering around their new neighbourhood, they can be easily identified.

Pack your pet’s things as late as possible

Most pets like familiarity, so leave their toys, blankets and beds out for as long as possible during the packing and moving process. It’s also unlikely to be practical to dismantle cages or tanks far in advance, as animals like reptiles rely on heat lamps and other specialist equipment to stay properly looked after.

Give them time to adjust

It may take a while for pets such as cats and dogs to adjust to their new; try to be patient if they seem a little unsettled, or if they go back to younger behaviours such as chewing or scratching furniture. It helps if you don’t wash their bedding for a few weeks after the move; the familiar smell of the old house will be comforting, and can help them settle in better.

If you’re looking for a professional moving company to assist with your move, get in touch with Rose Removals. We offer full house removal services, including ‘man with a van’, packing materials, storage options and more. Let us take the stress out of moving day so you and your pets can concentrate on settling in to your new home. For more information or to get a quote, give us a call today or visit our website.