Tips for moving with pets

Dogs and cats are creatures of habit, they like to have their own place and space to call home so when moving with pets into a new home it can be tough.

When pets are moved from their familiar environment, or have their daily routines disrupted, they can become stressed and anxious.

When moving with pets into a new home it is important to remember that this can be quite traumatic for many of them, so there are a few key things you can do to help reduce their stress as much as possible.

Top tips for moving with pets into a new home

• Ideally visit your new home with your dog before you move in and allow them to have a sniff around the house or yard and local area.
• Take them for a walk around the neighbourhood and try to do this a few times before the big day.
• If your dog is food motivated, it’s a good idea to use treats to create a positive association when they arrive at the new place and reward any quiet, calm or inquisitive behaviour when they are there. By always rewarding your pet when they display the behaviour you want from them, it encourages them to do it more.
• Keep in mind new things in the house that your pet may not have encountered before, which therefore may make them nervous or they may want to avoid. This can include stairs, slippery floors, or different kinds of surfaces in the yard which may also impact on their toileting habits, requiring you to show them where you want them to go and back to basic toilet training.
• Don’t force them into any areas if they are uncomfortable with, instead use treats, praise, play or toys to slowly entice them to places and create a positive association.
• When moving with pets it’s important to provide them with their own safe space with their bed, toys and creature comfort, and show them where their food and water will be left.
• Many animals will stop eating when they are stressed or anxious, so make sure everything is quiet and calm around feeding time. You can use pheromone diffusers around the home which may help to relax them.
• Stick to their usual feeding and exercise routines to keep life as normal as possible despite the new surroundings.
• Many councils now have legislation stating cats can’t roam from their property, so if you do let your cat outside, they should ideally be kept inside for at least 3 weeks – set up with plenty of high perches where they can watch the world go by, and ideally consider setting up a cat run in your yard rather than allowing your cat to roam free.
• Let your dog settle in fully before leaving them home alone, at least a few days for dogs, then start by going out for only very short periods and slowly build up their time alone.

If they are anxious leave then with a favourite cuddle toy, long lasting chew or treat dispensing interactive toys to help keep their brains and bodies stimulated. Always take them for a walk first, leave them with their toy or occupier and leave the TV or radio on. Speak to your vet about medication options if their separation anxiety is severe.

Whenever I head out, I leave my boys with interactive toys or a Vitapet chicken tender to create a positive association with my departure.  Usually as soon as they pick up on the other cues I’m going out, they run to their beds waiting for me to go to the cupboard and grab their treat. It’s amazing what a bit of positive reinforcement with a tasty treat can do.

Lara Shannon is a certified dog behaviourist and trainer, pet food nutrition specialist, Executive Producer and Host of Pooches at Play on Channel 10 and editor of Poochesatplay.com. Lara also runs her own dog training business in Melbourne’s Bayside area and is the Author of World of Dogs and Eat, Play, Love (Your Dog).