Moving home with pets #Dogs / #cats etc

It is an often quoted fact that moving home is among the most stress full things we do in our lives, so who must it be for your dog or cat or pets ? Well it can and is often stressful for them as to them it seems like something amiss is going on something they don't understand. (So be patient with them before during and after the move,and I mean more so them normal as it is normal and natural for them to be put out of sorts and act strange )
But that does not mean there are not things you can do to make it less stressful for them.

1. We all know our pets well so know what they like and dislike, so for example while you can in your moving to Spain you can get many good pet foods it doesn't harm to take a few days to a week or twos worth of the pet food they where use to in the UK and gradually swap them to the Spanish/French versions (ETC) this will help maintain at least some aspects of what your dogs know as normal and safe (of course if your dog or cat / pet is not a fussy eater and eats anything this one might not be important to them)
2. As dogs are big on scent and smells make sure when they travel, they have some blankest r jumpers or the likes that not only smell of them but you and of course it will smell of many over scents they know as well so will again help seem more normal and help them relax more when travelling to their new home and when at it until they and yourself are all settled 
3. Also make sure you don't pack your dogs/cats favourite toy so that they can travel with it.Plus  I would also suggest putting in your pets cage just before you start the journey their favourite /2nd favourite toy (I would say ideally one they either can chew quietly  or cuddle up to not one that gets them barmy )(so yes properly don't pack at least two toys) 
4. And Don't let your dog see you packing their toys that you need to pack as they will think your getting rid of them and I would also suggest not packing them all at once maybe the odd toy here the odd toy there over a few weeks 
5. There are a few ideas on this as to whether your pets should be there on the moving day or at kennels or the likes and on this I am making no comment as all ideas and thoughts ha ve there ups and down 
   
6. but if your pets are there on the moving day or even if not and just while packing (check your cats have not hidden in your boxes if you have cats as they love boxes)make sure you maintain some where in the house that your pet can go to get away from the chaos of the packing and/or the move as after all if there on the moving day the removal team may be to your pet scary but at the very least strangers. And that is why when we are doing a move where pets are about we will make a point of taking time to talk to the pet and let them see we are not a threat( as after all we don't want want part of your family stressed we want the move to be a fun relaxing as possible event for you and your kids and pets ) 
7. If you have time before setting of from your old house it will not harm in my opinion to take your dogs on one last walk of their favourite route,
8. if your pet is travelling in a cage whether with you or a pet transporter  if your dog or cat is not use to a cage buy one several weeks in advance so they can get use to it. That way it will be a familiar space come moving day. Let them go in on their own timetable , don't force them but a few ways to help with it can include feeding the in the cage (with door open )(used that one with ours before we moved to Spain)or as suggest by someone throwing a toy like a tennis ball in and playing fetch. There are other ways to of course but as long as they feel it is a safe space that is what matters 

See more general moving and packing tips and some additional tips on pets during moves on the main tips page 
https://www.europeanrelocationservices.co.uk/tips.html
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