Clarendon Street Vets’ tips for moving house with your dog
May 7, 2021
Moving house is one of the more stressful things you can do in life, and all the changes to routine and environment can be stressful for canine companions too.
You can make moving house with your dog a calmer and more enjoyable experience for you both if you prepare in advance. Harriet has a few suggestions you can implement in the run up to moving day:
- Bring moving boxes into your home ahead of time and let your dog get used to them. Bubble wrap is a health hazard for dogs so be sure to keep that out of reach.
- Dogs pick up on human emotions so if you’re stressed, it’s likely your dog will be too. Long walks are a great de-stressor for both you and your dog so if it’s all becoming too much, get up and get out!
- Plug-in diffusers for pets promote calmness by omitting natural pheromones. Installing these a few weeks before can help your dog to relax, ready for the big day. We usually keep these in stock at the surgery.
- Packing is a busy process, so remember to carve out some playtime for your dog to keep them happy. Some dogs may find packing unsettling so it may be best to get them settled in another room while you get busy.
- Keep walk and feeding times the same where possible. Reassure you dog, but be careful not to over-fuss as they may think something is wrong.
- If your move is long-distance, consider Booking a dog health check to ensure they are ready to handle the upheaval and journey. Moving house with a puppy or senior dog? Be sure to pay extra attention to their wellness.
- If you’re moving house with a nervous dog there are medications that could help. Ask us about these.
- On moving day, see if a friend or pet sitter can look after your dog at their home until you have completed the bulk of the move and have a dog friendly area ready.
- Remember to update your contact details with your dog’s microchip provider on the day of the move.
Good luck! If you need any further advice on how to move house with a dog, our team will be happy to help so do get in touch.