Moving house can be very stressful as cats are territorial and bond with their environment.

For the best outcome, be sure to plan ahead.

MOVING DAY

• Before the moving company arrives, choose a room where your cat can stay with items they’ll see first in your new home.
• Close all the windows and doors after placing the following in the room: your cat’s bed, food and water bowls, litter tray and the pet carrier they’ll be travelling in.
• Make sure everyone involved / with access to the house knows about your cat. Write and stick a sign, “Keep Door Closed”, on the door to be safe.
• First remove all the items from the other rooms before tackling the ‘cat room’. Place your cat in the cat carrier before allowing others to enter.
• Your cat should drive with you, not in the van! Secure the carrier in the back seat (not the boot).
• During long trips, stop so your cat has the opportunity to drink water and use the litter box.
• Ventilation is important, especially on hot days. Never leave your cat alone in a parked vehicle.
• At your new home (if you arrive the same day), first unload and install the furniture from the ‘cat room’.
• In the new ‘cat room’, plug in a synthetic feline facial pheromone diffuser. If this can be done a few hours before your cat arrives, even better!
• Before showing your cat the room, make sure everything that was in the previous room is there. Close the door. If someone could stay with them for a bit that would be great!
• After having some time to explore, offer your cat some food.
• Once everyone has left and things settle down, allow your cat to explore the rest of the house, but make sure there are no exit points. If your cat seems anxious, take it easy. Try showing only one room at a time.
• Stay calm and show your cat it’s safe.
• Keep supervising your cat to avoid them getting stuck in narrow, unfamiliar gaps while seeking refuge.
• Time in a cattery, one day before and one day after the move, could help reduce anxiety.

HOW TO HELP YOUR CAT SETTLE IN

• For the first two weeks, keep your cat indoors.
• Frequently feed your cat small portions.
• Stick to your old routines for the sake of familiarity.
• Don’t stop using the synthetic feline facial pheromone diffuser in the ‘cat room’.
• Indoor cats may take longer to adapt. Familiar furniture will help, but just be patient.

BEFORE LETTING YOUR CAT OUTSIDE

• Your cats need to get used to their new space for a couple of weeks, so keep them inside.
• It should be easy to identify your cat (via info on their collar and a microchip).
• Update the address info on the collar and the microchip.
• Check that your cat’s shots and vaccinations are up to date.
• Once you’re sure your cat has adjusted, a cat flap can be useful (an electronic or magnetic mechanism that works with the collar will help keep other cats out).
• Your cat needs to secure a new territory to help keep other cats away.
• Gradual exposure to the outdoors, under supervision, can help.
• If your cat feels comfortable in a harness, attach a lead and walk around the garden.
• Don’t force your cat to do things, for example, carry them outside. Let them choose if they want to investigate.
• Once outside, make sure your cat can easily get inside again.
• Outdoor cats tend to adapt quicker; timid cats may take longer.

HOW TO STOP YOUR CAT FROM SEEKING THEIR OLD HOME

If your old house is near your new house, your cat might find their way back. 

Tell the new occupants to contact you if this happens (or if they see your cat around). They should not be fed or shown affection. The best you can do, is follow the advice above, especially in terms of sticking to the indoor periods. Also try to surround your cat with natural, familiar scents. Some herbs can also have calming effects. Settling down may take months, but don’t lose hope.

LIFESTYLE

Outdoor cats will probably get frustrated while adjusting and indoor cats will need more stimulation, so try to enhance their environment:

• Hide dry food and treats around the house
• Make sure there are enough high vantage points
• Give them a sizeable scratching post or two
• Offer regular predatory play sessions
• Throw boxes and paper bags into the mix

Each cat’s adjusting period will be different. Some will be fine the first time they venture outside, but this is quite rare.

WHAT IF YOU MOVE TO A SMALLER PLACE?

To reduce tension, especially in multi-cat households, make sure there are enough:

• Beds
• Litter trays
• Scratching posts
• Food and water bowls
• High places to rest (e.g. wardrobes, cupboards and shelves)
• Private hiding places (e.g. under beds or at the bottom of a wardrobe)

Moving is stressful for humans, but it’s even harder on pets. They don’t understand disruptions in their environment and routines and this can lead to stress, anxiety, illness and other behavioural problems. 

Pets can even go missing when they try to search for their old territory. So, to minimise the trauma, give your pets a lot of love and attention and follow the advice below.

BEFORE YOU MOVE

• The week before you move: don’t give your pets less attention and don’t stray from their routines (feeding, walking, grooming, etc).
• A couple of weeks before the move: visit your veterinarian to get your pet’s history, vaccination certificates and other relevant documents. Make sure your pet has had all the necessary core vaccines required before arriving at your new location. A mild sedative could help older or ill dogs, so discuss this with your veterinarian. Relaxing herbal scents or medications can also help.
• While you’re packing: keep your dog in a secure, quiet room. You don’t want your pet to get injured if he gets anxious and tries to escape (while people are moving in and out). Make sure there’s enough familiar toys and unwashed blankets in the room to provide comfort. Also leave the travel crate or carrier in the room with the door open (make sure it won’t close accidentally). You want your pet to get used to the crate.
• When moving day arrives: you can decide whether to leave your dog with friends, family or at a boarding kennel if you think it might reduce stress.
• Don’t pack: your dog’s bedding, toys and other items until the last minute. They need the familiarity. Only wash their bedding a couple of weeks after you’ve settled into your new place. Familiar smells in the new home can help a lot.
• Only moving a couple of blocks away? Take your dog to the new location as often as possible. Stay calm and relaxed to show your dog it’s OK. To avoid runaway situations, safely but securely confine your dog to the new house so he doesn’t go looking for his old home. Taking your dog to a boarding kennel for a week before introducing him to the new home could help avoid a search for his old home.

NOTE: Unlike boarding kennels, breeding kennels produce puppies while training kennels take in dogs for hunting, protection and other types of specialised training.

KEEP THIS TRAVEL CHECKLIST HANDY

• Leash, collar and harness
• Poop scoop and poop bags
• Paper towels and wet wipes
• Treats and toys for comfort, playing and chewing
• Crate, crate liner, towels, blankets, bed and a pillow
• Veterinary records, certificates and a recent photo of your dog
• Lots of water from your old home and your dog’s usual food
• Food and water bowls, a can opener if necessary and containers to keep food sealed
• Everything else you’ll need for the first day at the new home

Feed your dog 12 hours before a long trip and ask your veterinarian for anti-sickness medication if your pet suffers from motion sickness.

REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING DURING THE MOVE

• Make sure your dog is microchipped.
• Make sure your dog’s identification tags are in a good condition.
• Always check that the travelling crate is safely secured before starting the car.
• Stop as often as necessary for toilet and water breaks, especially if it’s a hot day.

ONCE YOU ARRIVE AT YOUR NEW HOME

• Make sure your dog can’t escape: look for gaps, check the wall height and inspect the boundary fence. If you need to patch up a hole or make other improvements, keep your dog in a safe place.
• First unpack items your dog are familiar with before showing him the new space.
• In the beginning, choose a small room where your dog can stay and become use to his new environment (while you’re carrying things in and unpacking). Don’t leave him without toys or comforting blankets with familiar scents.
• When venturing outdoors, keep your dog on a leash in your new neighbourhood.
• Use the water from your previous home (that you’ve brought along) before gradually introducing new water.
• Be patient and don’t punish bad behaviour which is most probably stress-related. Instead, try to reduce stress or visit your new veterinary if your dog looks ill. Don’t draw attention to little accidents; just clean it up. Use a product to remove the smell which will help avoid an ‘accident’ in the same are. Praise your dog when he urinates in the right place.
• Don’t forget to update your address details if your dog is microchipped.
• To help your dog adapt quicker, continue with their feeding, exercise and sleeping routines. Don’t reduce or increase attention as this may be confusing or cause behavioural problems.
• Frequent walks will help to make the new environment more familiar.

If you experience any troubling or ongoing issues, it would be best to visit your new veterinarian. Your dog may need medication. A few training sessions could also help. Enjoy your new home!

Boarding kennels are businesses that specialise in pet care when owners are away or temporarily unable to care for their pets.

Pet services offered by some boarding kennels include:

• Boarding
• Grooming
• Training Classes
• Pet Supply Sales

NOTE: Unlike boarding kennels, breeding kennels produce puppies, while training kennels take in dogs for hunting, protection and other types of specialised training.

BOARDING KENNELS FOR PETS

Boarding kennels are an option for pet owners faced with family emergencies, illness or simply when they plan to travel.

You can’t always take your pet with you and it’s not always easy finding the right pet sitter or finding one that’s available.

Sometimes family, friends and neighbours can help out, but not a lot of people have that option. Plus, they may be very attentive, but not know how to respond in emergency situations. 

Without the proper care and security, pets can escape, become ill or very anxious.

PROFESSIONAL BOARDING KENNELS

For many people, a boarding kennel is their best option.

Professional and reputable boarding kennels have full-time team members who are knowledgeable and experienced. They can provide safe pet care in a secure environment.

HOW TO CHOOSE A BOARDING KENNEL

If you want to select a competent, ethical boarding kennel for your beloved pet, do extensive research.

Talk to your veterinarian and fellow pet owners who love their pets as much as you love yours. You can even reach out on social media channels for reviews and feedback.

WHY CHOOSING THE RIGHT BOARDING KENNEL IS IMPORTANT

You want your pet to be safe, healthy and happy.

If you have peace of mind that your pet’s receiving the best care, you’ll also be able to enjoy your time away from home.

We can’t take our pets everywhere and leaving them alone or at an unfamiliar boarding kennel is often unimaginable.

Pet sitters are people who come to your home and take care of your pet while you’re away.

Pet sitting can include dog walking, which offers not only exercise, but companionship as well. The difference between a pet sitter and a boarding kennel or doggie daycare is the fact that the pets remain in their home, where they are often more comfortable.

BENEFITS OF PET SITTERS

• At home, where pets are familiar with their environment, they’re often happier and experience less stress.
• In terms of routine, your pet sitter can be asked to stick to your feeding and exercise times.
• The stress associated with travel is no longer an issue (for the pet or its owner).
• Your pet is less likely to fall ill because he’s not exposed to other pets and unfamiliar environments.

Some pets, with specific health needs or that suffer from separation anxiety, may have to stay at a pet sitter’s home.

Sometimes owners have to move to a guest house or temporary accommodation (due to, for example, renovations) where pets are not allowed.

PET SITTER SERVICES

Some pet sitting services also include grooming, training and waste removal, but companionship and exercise remain key.

Ideally, pet sitters visit twice a day and can even stay the night. 

Tasks can include:

• Providing exercise (usually walks) and playing with pets
• Cleaning bowls before feeding and topping up water
• If required, administering pet medications
• Cleaning: litter boxes and other messes
• Giving lots of love and affection

Owners may also ask pet sitters to bring in mail/newspapers and adjust lights and blinds.

WHICH TYPE OF PET OWNERS COULD BENEFIT FROM HIRING A PET SITTER?

• Owners going on vacation
• Owners who travel for work
• Owners who become injured or ill
• Owners with unusual or long work hours