Helping Pets Deal with Moving to A New House

Moving to a new house is a stressful enough experience for humans, but for animals the adjustment can be incredibly hard. Our pets can’t understand the abstract concept of moving all our belongings into a new house or flat. And the new smells and sounds this involves in addition to the new location can often be overwhelming for our furry friends. However, by observing a couple of important principles, you can make the move much less stressful for your pets.

Move the House Before you Move the Pet

If you can, try to leave your pet somewhere safe and familiar for the day until your furniture is in place in the new house and your pet will have familiar sights and smells to greet them when they first arrive. Make sure that you keep your dog on a lead or your cat in your arms when you first introduce them to their new home and talk to them in a calm and reassuring voice.

Once the doors are all closed, let them explore the space alone while you stay seated. Cats are inclined to be very unsure in a new space, but dogs tend to adjust quickly once they’ve sniffed all the familiar pieces of furniture. But bear in mind principle number two.

Creating a Safe Confinement Area

It is a very good idea for both dogs and cats to be kept contained until the initial shock of the move is over. Some breeds of dogs have a natural homing instinct and once let out will head off in the direction of their old home, assuming you’ll be there. Many cats let out in the garden too soon find themselves chased off another cat’s territory after a move and can end up in sheds and garages with no idea how to get home. So, when it comes time to head out, make sure your garden is secure. And you may also want to think about a lead for your cat too.

If you have any queries or you’re interested in getting a moving quote, please contact Coast Removals and we will be happy to discuss it in more detail with you.