Moving with your Pets
Moving into a new home can be an exciting beginning for every member of the family, including your pets. However, if the transition from one home to the next isn't planned out properly, it can quickly turn into a stressful time for everyone. Here is the correct way to prepare and move your animals into a new home.
Dogs:
During the weeks leading up to moving day, your dog will pick up on the chaos of the move, and it is important to try and keep their routine as normal as possible during this time and reassure them through attention and play.
- On the day, keep your dog safe by closing them in a room away from the moving furniture and foot traffic. Not only will this keep them out of harm's way but will also reduce the amount of stress the feel on the day.
- Introducing your canine companion to their new environment is a crucial step to making them feel comfortable in their new home. Allow him to explore each room and investigate the new smells, take him outside and explore the garden, letting him mark his new territory.
- Make sure that there is fresh water available and give your dog some extra attention to reaffirm him in his new home.
Cats:
Cats are, without question, one of the trickier pets to move to a new home as they are prone to trying to return to their previous territory, often running away to do so. Preparation and forethought is key to a successful move with a cat.
- A few weeks before you move, allow your cat to get used to their carrier, whether it's a crate, cage, basket, or any other box styled container.
- To reduce the stress on the moving day, close your cat in a bathroom with fresh water, food, a comfortable bed and some kitty litter, ensure all windows and doors are closed at all times.
- At the new house, set up a kitty home-base, this will be where your cat stays for several days so a quiet room is ideal. Make sure all the windows and doors are closed to prevent any escape attempts and there is fresh water, food, and kitty-litter readily available.
- Your cat will need to stay in this room for a few days to a week to get used to the new smells, sights, and sounds.
- After a few days to a week, allow your cat to explore his new environment one room at a time and keep a close eye on these walkabout sessions.
- Soon your cat will become accustomed to his new home and be ready to return to his normal routine.
Fish:
Moving your fish from one home to another needs to be done with much care as one miss-step can lead to tragedy. Fish tanks are not built to be transported with fish and water inside as the built-up pressure could rupture the tank sending glass, water, and fish throughout your car or moving truck while in transit.
- Ask your local fish store for clear fish bags, elastic bands and a quick lesson in catching and bagging your fish.
- You will need to fill the bag with 50% water, add your fish and secure with an elastic band leaving a decent air pocket. Invest in a bottle of anti-stress and add it to the bag of water to keep them calm in transit.
- Once all of your fish and living plants are securely caught and bagged, place them in a sturdy box.
- Empty your tank of water and carefully pack the rest of the tank equipment such as the heater, light bulbs, filter, and air pump.
- Settle your fish into their tank as soon as possible when arriving at your new home and treat them as you would new fish, by de-chlorinating the water and allowing the bags to bob in the water until the temperature is regulated.
- Carefully monitor your fish over the next week as the process of moving can be incredibly stressful and keep an eye on the water temperature, ammonia and nitrate levels.
Hamsters:
Hamsters and other rodents such as mice, rabbits or pet rats are relatively easy pets to move to a new house as they are incredibly adaptable. That being said, it can be a stressful time for them nevertheless, so preparing their moving process before hand is key to an easy change in environment for them.
- The easiest method of moving a caged rodent is to cover their cage with a towel or blanket and then take an easy drive to the new house.
- Once there, place their cage in a dark quiet room and allow them to become accustomed to the new smells and sounds of their new home.
- Ensure they have fresh food and water for the next 24 hours with as little foot traffic in the room as possible.
- Once they have become accustomed to their new environment, you may carry on as you normally would and return them to their new routine.
Birds:
Changing a bird's environment can be incredibly stressful and cause them anxiety which could lead to a wide variety of health problems such as feather pulling and self-starvation. Every bird has a different personality and their bonded human will know what's best for them. However, here is the recommended method.
- Before you move house, give your bird time to adjust to their carrier cage. This time period will vary from bird to bird depending on their personality. Some may take to their carrier immediately while others may need up to a month to become accustomed to it being in the same room as them.
- During the drive, ensure there is no direct sunlight on your bird through the window and cover their cage with a heavy blanket to keep them calm.
- Set up their home cage with the same toy and perch placement as they previously had and transfer them to their home cage as soon as possible.
- Remember to keep them away from the chaos of furniture moving and unpacking as this will cause them unnecessary stress. A quiet dark room would be ideal.
- Offer them fresh food, pellets, seeds, water and a treat to encourage eating while they settle into their new home.
- When the chaos has settled, make sure to spend a little one-on-one quiet time with your bird and speak to them softly to help them relax.
Moving house is never an easy task and it can be extremely stressful and frightening for your pets. The key to a successful move is to provide them with the least chaotic transition possible; dark rooms away from the foot traffic, fresh food and water available, and a little extra love and attention will help reaffirm them and make your new house a home for everyone.
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15 Mar 2019
Author Lillian Rencken