What should I do with my pets on moving day?

Keeping Pets Safe and Calm on Moving Day

Moving day is a significant event for everyone involved, including pets. The disruption, new people, and unfamiliar smells can cause considerable stress for animals. Careful planning ensures their safety and reduces anxiety during the transition.

Before Moving Day

• Vet Check-up: Arrange a veterinary check-up in the weeks leading up to the move. Ensure all vaccinations are current, and discuss any travel sickness medication if the journey is long. Obtain copies of medical records to provide to a new vet.
• Update Identifiers: Confirm that microchip details are current and registered with your new postcode. Ensure collars have up-to-date tags with a current phone number and a temporary number for moving day if contact details are changing. This is a critical step, particularly as updating addresses impacts numerous records.
• Familiarise with Carriers: If using a pet carrier, introduce it well in advance. Place treats or toys inside to create positive associations. This can make entering the carrier on moving day much less confrontational.
• Prepare a Pet Essentials Bag: Pack a dedicated bag with food, water, bowls, any medication, a favourite toy, a comfort blanket, and a lead. This should be easily accessible and travel with the pet.
• Consider Temporary Care: For many pets, the best option is to be away from the property entirely on moving day. Arrange for them to stay with a trusted friend, family member, or a professional kennel or cattery for the duration of the move. This keeps them out of harm's way and minimises exposure to the noise and activity.

On Moving Day

If temporary off-site care is not possible, a designated safe space within the home is essential.

• Designate a Safe Room: Choose a quiet, empty room (e.g., a bathroom or spare bedroom) at the back of the house, preferably on the ground floor. Place the pet's food, water, bed, and litter tray (for cats) inside. Put a clear sign on the door instructing movers not to open it.
• Keep Pets Secure: Before the removal team arrives, ensure pets are safely secured in their designated room or carrier. Dogs should be on a lead for any necessary toilet breaks, well away from the lorry and any activity on the pavement.
• Feed and Walk Routine: Maintain as much of their usual routine as possible. Feed them at their regular time. For dogs, a good walk before the movers arrive can help expend energy and settle them.
• Transporting Pets: Pets should travel in a secure carrier in a private vehicle, not in the removal lorry. This is for their safety and comfort, and it is usually a legal requirement for professional pet transporters. Ensure adequate ventilation and consider regular stops for water and toilet breaks on longer journeys.
• Final Check: Once the property is clear of all belongings and movers, do a final check of the entire house, including cupboards and under beds, to ensure no pet has been overlooked.

At the New Home

• Set Up a Safe Zone: Upon arrival at the new property, immediately set up a safe room before any furniture is brought in. Place their food, water, bed, and litter tray here. This provides a secure, quiet base while the rest of the house is being unpacked.
• Unpack Essentials First: Prioritise unpacking pet essentials from their dedicated bag.
• Gradual Introduction: Once the main removal work is complete and the property is quieter, allow pets to explore the new environment gradually. Keep cats indoors for at least a week to help them adjust and prevent them from trying to find their way back to the old property. For dogs, keep walks on a lead initially to help them familiarise themselves with the new area. More detailed advice is available on how to help a pet settle in a new home.
• Update Local Information: Register with a new local vet as soon as possible. Research local pet shops, parks, and any council regulations regarding pets in the area.

Specific Considerations for Different Pets

• Cats: Highly sensitive to change, cats often fare best if kept in their carrier in a quiet room or off-site for the duration. Provide familiar-smelling items.
• Dogs: While some dogs cope well, others can become anxious. Maintain routine, provide plenty of reassurance, and consider a long-lasting chew toy.
• Small Animals (Rabbits, Hamsters, Birds): Transport in their usual cage or a secure, well-ventilated carrier, ensuring bedding and a water source are secure. Cover bird cages to reduce stress.
• Fish: Moving aquariums requires careful planning. Small fish can be transported in sealed plastic bags with original tank water. Larger setups require specialist handling to ensure the tank, filter, and fish are moved safely. Moving a large aquarium often involves professional assistance.