Moving home can be just as stressful for your dog as it is for you. Here are our tops tips for minimizing the anxiety for your pet when relocating:
Find the right home and area
Keep your dog in mind when looking for your new home. Just as you wouldn’t move to an area that’s not child-friendly if you had a young family, you need to ensure the area is suitable for your pet. Of course, if your dog is kept indoors, this shouldn’t be much of an issue, but if you have a dog who enjoys long walks and going to the park, choose an area that fits their needs.
Find a new vet
Ideally this should be done prior to moving, in case there are any emergencies just after you move. However, if you’re moving to a completely new area, you may want to ask any neighbours or co-workers for recommendations.
You may also want to get your dog in for a check-up as soon as possible, to allow them to become familiar with their new vet.
Keep your cool
Dogs are intuitive creatures. They know when you’re happy, they know when you’re sad and they know when you are stressed. Try and keep things as normal as possible on the lead up to your move, so your pooch doesn’t sense the upcoming disruption. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be for your little friend.
On move day
To help make the removal process as quick and easy as possible, aim to keep your pet out of the removal team’s way. You could keep them in a separate room, but we recommend giving them to a friend or family member to look after, as they may panic when they see all their comforts being taken away.
Update your pet’s microchip
Make sure you update the address and contact details on your dog’s microchip as soon as possible.
If disaster strikes, and your new pet wanders off to explore the new area whilst you’re busy unpacking, at least they can be tracked back to your new address.
Establish your routine
Upon moving into your new home, establish your routine as quickly as possible and stick to it. It’s likely some things will change in the new home, but try to stay as close as possible to your previous routine to make the transition easier for your dog.
Don’t wash their things!
You may want to get everything fresh and new in your new home – but avoid touching your dog’s belongings. Keep them smelling just like your pup/ old home. That familiar scent can help them feel more at home in a new location.
If you are looking to move home, don’t forget to get your free quote today on our five star removal service
