How to prepare your pet to move house

Words: James MacSmith Producer: Bianca Mastroianni

Pets are often the family members most affected by a move, but their needs are the least considered.

“Dogs and cats are creatures of habit, they like to have their own place and space to call home. When they are moved from their familiar environment, they can become stressed and anxious.”

“ - Lara Shannon, Dog Trainer and Behaviourist

The move as a whole can cause them anxiety, travel sickness, unease with their new environment and even grief for what they have lost.

Here are five tips from Lara to make the life-altering moving house as pleasant as possible.

Familiarise your pet to the new place before the move

1 If possible, visit your new home with your dog before the move and allow them to have a sniff around the house, yard and local area.

Create a positive association with the new home

2 If your dog is food-motivated, use treats to create a positive association when they arrive at the new place and reward any quiet, calm, or inquisitive behaviour.

Check your new home is cat/dog proofed

3 If your dog or cat can fit its head through a gap or hole, then it can generally fit the rest of its body through. Check there are no areas they can dig holes for escaping.

Provide them with their own safe space and stick to routines

4 Set them up with their own area, a nice quiet room away from all the mess and unpacking, where you can place their bed, toys and creature comforts.

Keep them company

Let your pet settle in fully before leaving them home alone - at least a few days for dogs. 5