Your New Haven moving company presenting five tips for stress-free moving with pets.

Moving to a new house can be stressful for everyone, but it is particularly stressful for the furry members of the family that don’t have a say in the matter. 

Cat’s and dogs are territorial animals, and often become particularly attached to their homes and surroundings. Moving can be a disruptive and stressful experience for pets and owners alike, but if you follow these five tips for a safe move, your pets will soon feel as much at home in their new house as you do.  

Tip One: Protect your pets while you move

Pets have a sixth sense when it comes to predicting a move or holiday. Have you ever packed a suitcase for a vacation and then turned around to find your dog sleeping on top of it? Or has your cat hidden when you needed to take him to the vet for a routine checkup? Pets find watching their habitat get packed up in boxes a stressful and scary experience. Ask a friend who knows your animals well to look after them on moving day, or, even better: hire a team like Hands-On Moving to do it for you, so you can stay with them instead.  

Tip Two: Make sure they have their comforts of home 

Pets like their stuff. They like their bed, chew toys, litter tray etc. They don’t like change and they don’t like chaos. When you move, ensure that they have their own designated area in the new house. If possible, it should be a closed room. Make sure to fill it with things that remind them of the old house and their family.  Don’t wash your pet’s bedding or toys until two weeks after moving day. The familiar smell of home will give them solace during the difficult early days in a new house. Be sure to give them plenty of reassurance and attention, extra cuddles and lots of understanding both during and immediately after the move.

Tip Three: Don’t feed them on the day of the move

Anxiety causes sore tummies in both humans and animals. Keeping this in mind, take care not to feed your pets just before putting them into the car as they are more likely to get car sick. 

Once in the new house, take care to stick with your usual walking and feeding routine if you can help it. Keeping a daily routine before moving and continuing it when you have changed house will make the transition more manageable.

Tip Four: Keep them under watch

When in the new house, don’t let your pet loose in your new garden without checking it is completely secure first. For cats especially, it is better to keep them confined to the house for at least two weeks. An old wives’ trick is to smear the cat’s paws in a little butter. The cat will lick their paws and the scent will become more familiar, and they will identify it with home. 

Make sure to check all fencing and outside walls and take care to watch out for gaps or broken fencing. Pay special attention to hedges which animals can escape underneath. When you do let your pets outside to explore your new garden, go with them until they’re confident in their new surroundings. Never assume your pet will immediately adjust to your new home. Cats and dogs need time to settle into a new environment; give them time to relax and become familiar with their new surroundings. Be careful not to leave your animals on their own for too long until they are fully settled as this can cause anxiety. You should expect them to act strangely. Dogs may chew things, and cats may act as if they were never house trained at all. Keep in mind that both cats and dogs can become very anxious and stressed from moving so watch over your pet’s behavior and make sure they feel loved and safe. 

Tip Five: Make sure your pets are microchipped with identification tags 

Even by following all the advice above, it can happen that pets run away during moving time, so it is always best to have a contingency plan. Make sure your pet’s ID tag or microchip details are up to date and include details of your new home address and phone number. Take care that vaccinations are up to date too – you never know which animals were in the backyard before you moved in. 

Need help with moving? Dedicate your time to your pets during moving day and let the team at Hands-On Moving take care of the heavy lifting, and stress. 

Looking for a moving company in New Haven, Connecticut don’t hesitate to get a free quote.