Moving Tips for Cats & Dogs
When you move, so does your furry friend!
They don’t understand the moving process like we do but if you use some easy tips and tricks, you can make their move as smooth as yours.
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Tips for Cats Before Moving Day
Create Positive Association
- Even though cats don’t prioritize praise the way other animals do, it’s still good to create positive association with the moving items/objects in the house by praising them.
- Cats usually love boxes and become very curious, so allow them to play in the boxes and join in while you’re packing.
Tips for Cats On Moving Day
- Place them in their own room.
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- Cats dislike change, so it’s best to place them into an enclosed room of the house while you empty the other rooms.
- Cat-Sitting at another house.
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- If they like to visit a friend or another family members house regularly, they could stay at their house on moving day instead.
- They can also stay at a boarding kennel if they’re used to that.
- Move in/put together your big furniture first.
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- By putting those larger items in your new home first, you’re creating an environment that’s slightly familiar to them.
- Cat Trees/Toys for scent.
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- Cats will be calmer and are less likely to spray etc when their own scent is in an environment.
- Since this new home won’t have their smell or might have the smells of previous animals, place their cat trees and toys around the house.
- You can also use a cloth to rub your cat gently around the cheeks/head and rub this cloth against doorways to add their scent.
- Your cat should be last to move.
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- If your cat is in another room in your old house, transport them last with your remaining furniture/boxes.
- Be calm as they explore their new environment and supervise their time in places like kitchens as they may try to hide in tight spaces.
- Show them where their litter box is; after showing them once they should be able to sniff it out for themselves after that.
- If moving to a larger home…
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- You may want to close the doors to any rooms that haven’t been setup or moved into yet (for example, spare rooms in the basement.)
- Over time you can leave those doors open more frequently to introduce them to the larger environment.
- Continue with normal routines.
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- Continue with normal routines of feeding and playtime as much as possible to make them feel safe.
- They might hide for the first few days. This is normal and they just need time to understand the space is safe.
Tips for Dogs Before Moving Day
Desensitize and familiarize them to moving
- Moving days come with lots of smells, sounds, and new items like boxes. Taking them on walks to see/hear other people, traffic, and find new smells will help prepare them.
- Create a positive association with moving items/new objects by praising them.
- Take them to your new home to sniff things out if you have possession before your actual moving day.
Tips for Dogs On Moving Day
- Create a safe space for them.
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- Leave a space of your house for your dog to rest and feel safe while the moving happens around them.
- This can be their crate, a quiet room, or a friend/family members house. They can also stay at a boarding kennel if they’re used to that.
- Toys, puzzles, food, and water are perfect to leave in one area for them.
- Give them some attention.
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- Be sure to give your dog some attention or a walk during the day to reassure them that everything is fine.
- Move in/put together your big furniture first.
-
- By putting those larger items in your new home first, you’re creating an environment that’s slightly familiar to them.
- Belongings and toys for scent.
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- Try placing your dogs’ toys and belongings in similar places as before to ease the change.
- Move your dog last if possible.
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- Bring your dog last if possible and give them a t-shirt or towel that smells like you during the drive.
- If they can’t be moved last, place them somewhere quiet in your new home to keep them safe from the open doors and chaos of unloading.
- If moving to a larger home…
-
- You may want to close the doors to any rooms that haven’t been setup or moved into yet (for example, spare rooms in the basement.)
- Over time you can leave those doors open more frequently to introduce them to the larger environment.
- Continue with normal routines.
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- Keep to regular feeding, walking, and playtime schedules as closely as possible post-move. Routines make them feel safe and secure.
- Praise good behavior and pet proof your new home as well as you can.
- Stay home as much as possible during the first week to help them adjust to the space.
