It’s no secret that moving house can be a busy and hectic time. Even with a professional removals company, such as Chappell’s, moving house with pets taking the stress out of the process, there is always a long list of jobs that need taking care of in the run-up to the big day.

These tasks can begin to multiply when there are pets involved in moving to another house, specifically cats and dogs, which is why we have put together a few handy tips to help the relocation of your furry friends a lot less of an ordeal – both for you and for them!

Before the move

Cats and dogs are easily stressed out by changes to their environment, with both exhibiting signs of anxiety and displaying unsettled activity. Whether it’s persistent meowing/barking or hiding away from view, they are rarely afraid to show you how they’re feeling. The best course of action is to introduce the idea of moving house to your pets early on.

Get them used to any travel baskets they may be spending the journey in with a comfortable bed and maybe a few treats placed inside, leaving the door open to let them explore as they wish.

Start to place boxes around the house a couple of weeks in advance, so that they don’t suddenly appear overnight. If possible, take your pet to their new home a couple of times to get them used to the smell and the layout of the environment so that they are not unduly confused when they arrive there to stay permanently.

During the move

Although you will have other things to think about, try to keep your cat or dog’s routine as close to normal as possible on moving day. This can be as simple as feeding them at the usual times or taking time out of moving boxes to go out for a walk as you would normally – it all helps.

Your pets can sense your moods, so trying to stay calm during the move will help to prevent them from getting agitated. This might sound easier said than done, but calling on the experience of the professionals at Chappell’s Removals will go a long way to reducing your own stress levels on moving day!

Try to ensure that your cat or dog’s belongings (bed, toys etc.) are in the new home before they are, giving them a familiar sight and smell upon arrival.

After the move

Cats, particularly, have a keen homing instinct, which means that it is not uncommon for them to attempt to run away back to your previous house. Initially, consider reducing their access to the outside while you are not there to observe, and put time and effort into making them feel comfortable in the new home before allowing them to come and go as they please.

A good idea is to keep your dog or cat’s bed, food, litter tray and other possessions confined to one “base” room so that they are easy for them to locate. Spend time in here during your first days in the house, giving them care and attention until they feel enough at home to explore the rest of the house.

While you are never guaranteed a smooth transition for your pets when moving them to a new home, the above tips are a good place to start. Vets and other professionals will be able to advise if you think your pet is too skittish for moving without outside help.

Chappell's Removals are the South East’s leading providers of residential and business removals and storage services, carrying out stress-free, fully-insured moves nationwide and overseas. Our friendly and experienced team are on hand to take care of your move every step of the way, providing a packing service alongside our reliable removals and storage options.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch for advice or a free quotation for our services.