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Abels' eNewsletter
Winter 2009
GUIDANCE AND TIPS WHEN MOVING PETS
Pets rely on habit. When their owners decide to move, those habits can change abruptly, or stop altogether. A move can disrupt your pet’s sense of stability and cause trauma more severe than that experienced by some children.
Abels has a wealth of experience moving pets as well as people and their possessions, and understands how stressful a move can be both for the family moving and for the pet(s) involved. The company has prepared some tips for keeping your pet comfortable, safe and happy at all stages of the move.
Before the move
In the run-up to the move, try to stick to your daily routine as much as possible. This will give your pet an increased sense of stability. When you arrive at your new home, implement the same daily routines, or only a slight variation of these routines, right away.
If your pet will be travelling in a pet carrier, consider introducing one a few weeks before the move. Put some of your pet's toys and bedding in the carrier, and open the door to encourage your pet to go inside. Getting used to sleeping in the carrier is likely to reduce your pet's anxiety during travel.
Keep your pet confined to one room while you are packing, or better still find alternative temporary accommodation. This may help reduce any confusion and trauma your pet will experience as you pack away all the familiar objects in the house.
If you are travelling by car and your pet is known to become anxious during travel, consult your vet to see whether it is advisable/possible to administer a mild sedative.
Clip your pet's nails and brush out their fur before travelling. In addition to making your pet look healthy, grooming reduces the risk that they will injure themselves or damage anything at your new home.
There is some debate about how much it is safe to feed your pet before travel. Some vets recommend not feeding pets for 12 hours before travelling to avoid making them sick. Others say you should give your pet a light meal four hours before travelling, and offer water two hours before the trip. Use your own discretion.
Moving day
On moving day, keep your pet in a safe, quiet room with a sign on the door that says, "DO NOT ENTER." In addition to keeping your pet calm and safe, limiting them to one room will prevent the chance that they will get out of the house and escape. Better still locate them away from the home during the move.
Travelling by car?
o First and foremost, safely and securely restrain your pet. Use a harness to restrain your dog, even if they enjoy car travel. Cats are best restrained in well-ventilated pet carriers.
o Never put your pet in the boot of a car, the bed of a truck, or in the storage area of a moving van.
o Do not leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle during warm weather.
Keep a photo of your pet with you in the highly unlikely event that they get lost during transit. Now could be a good time to consider implanting a micro chip.
After the move
Do not wash your pet's bedding for a while after you have moved. The old smells will be comforting, and as they blend with the smells of your new home, they will help your pet adjust.
Cats and dogs may try to return to their original home after you have moved. Consider keeping them inside for the first several weeks. At the very least, you should keep your pets under close supervision until they have got used to their surroundings.
Change the details on your pet's identity tags - but do not put your pet's name on the tag. If a potential thief found your pet on the road, knowing the pet's name would help them bond with your pet.
If your pet is implanted with a microchip and you have moved within the
Be patient with your pet, and make allowances for any 'accidents' on the carpet. Punishing your pet may actually make the problem worse. Instead, always praise your pet when they go to the toilet in the correct place. The accidents should stop once your pet has settled in.
If you have a dog, take them for lots of walks. The two of you will have fun exploring the neighbourhood together and help them settle faster.
If you have a cat, carefully stage their explorations of your new home. At first, confine them to just a few rooms to prevent them from getting completely overwhelmed.
Cats feel secure when they have rubbed their own scent on their surroundings. Help your cat by gently rubbing a soft cloth around their face and then dabbing the cloth at cat's eye-level around the rooms where they will be exploring. Repeat this routine daily to make your cat feel more confident as they adjust to their new home.
Use care when you first let your cat start exploring outdoors. Before you let them outside for the first time, withhold food for about 12 hours so that they will have a reason to return home. Choose a quiet time, possibly early in the morning, and ensure there are no other cats about. Do not let your cat go out by themselves - supervise their explorations, and after about 15 minutes, call them in for food. They will be hungry, and therefore very willing to return home. The next time you try this exercise, let them go a little further and explore for a little longer. If your cat is used to being outdoors, they will probably adapt well to the new territory. If your cat is timid, you will need to repeat this exercise more often as their confidence builds.
