How to move house with pets

It's important to ease your pet into their new surroundings. Photo / Thinkstock

Moving house is tough enough for us two-legged creatures, but it can be even harder on our four-legged mates. Often a change of environment is hard for animals to understand, and pets - particularly cats and dogs - will need a little bit of extra love during these times. There are a few things you can do to make the move easier on everyone:

1. Know the steps to take before the move

This is a big one. Before moving house, try and keep your pet's routine as normal as possible, so they don't get too thrown by a change in habits as well as a change in scenery. Also make sure your pet has adequate identification tags (or microchips - be sure to update your information), and make sure you have the appropriate equipment to transport them in.

2. Make sure your new place is secure

Check fences, gates, doors and windows for sneaky places your pet could escape if they start to feel anxious.

3. Ensure familiar items are kept in the new house

Your new house needs to feel like a home, not just for you but for your pet! Unpack the essential items your pet loves before introducing them to the new setting. Find a place for their bed and their prized possessions (in similar locations to the old house if possible) and try to make the new space as comfortable as possible for them.

4. Ease your pet into their new surroundings

If your pets is used to being off the leash, it can still sometimes be a good idea to keep them on a leash while outdoors in a new environment until they get used to it. Dogs can adapt pretty quickly, while for cats this can take several weeks.

5. Show your pet some extra love

As with any stressful time, it's important to be there for your pet and let them know you're on their side when you're moving house. For most pets, moving house can bring on a fear of abandonment, so it's important to give them plenty of TLC so they know you're not going anywhere.