Moving house with pets: the checklist for your two- and four-legged furry friends

Cats react the most to changes in their environment. There’s also the distinction between house cats and outdoor moggies to factor in. But when it’s well planned, changing their flat or stomping ground can go smoothly, according to pet psychologist Claudia Kasper (site in German).

Beforehand, and by that I mean when you’re flat hunting, you’ll want to check that cats – or pets in general – are allowed as part of your lease. When it comes to animals who need access to the outdoors, such as cats, their needs play an even bigger role in your choice of flat. This can be quite limiting, as your new lodgings will need to be on the ground floor or the mezzanine. With flats on a higher floor, it starts to get tricky, as you’d need to install a cat ladder, which often isn’t allowed. You also need written permission from your landlord before you add a cat flap. If your felines live indoors, it’s essential to check in advance that you’re allowed to use a net to cat-proof the balcony. And yes, you’ll need written confirmation for that too.

Moving with cats: what to bear in mind

Packing: your cat’s disposition will determine how much they get unsettled by moving preparations. But the chaotic aspects of any move can be used to your advantage, as cats love mess. So, half-packed crates and empty boxes lying around, rugs temporarily thrown into a pile in a corner and packing material such as tissue paper suddenly appearing in the flat all act as superb places to hide and play. For more nervy cats, you can always help them by sprinkling Bach flowers over their food before and after the move.

Moving day: outdoor cats should be put under house arrest the day before so they can’t wander off when you need to leave. When the day comes around, the most important thing is to find a safe place for your feline friends. If the new flat isn’t too far away, you’re best to take them there early in the morning and shut them in a room with food, water, a litter tray that’s already been used, their favourite blanket, a pair of their human’s unwashed pyjamas and a few toys. Otherwise, you can do the same but in an empty room within your current flat. We highly recommend locking the door and keeping the key on you. And in the awkward event someone needs to go in the «cat room», it’s essential you keep the front door and all windows shut.

At the new place: for the first few hours in your cat’s new home, it won’t do them any harm to be shut in a quiet room while the humans are still busy with all sorts of things. Most cats will hide away at first and should be left in peace. Obviously, you can try to lure them out of their lair after a while. Otherwise, you can just sit quietly nearby. How long it takes your furry friend to go and explore their new home depends on factors such as their age, temperament, curiosity and bond with their caregivers. However, people usually underestimate how unsettled cats can be in a new environment. As felines use scents and sounds to navigate their way around, they need a bit of time to adjust.

Lots of outdoor cats go missing after moving house because they’re let out too early and can’t find their way back to their new place. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep them grounded for a while. You needn’t have a guilty conscience even if they miaow woefully for hours and pace about restlessly. This behaviour is just their way of expressing their uncertainty.

«So hold your nerve and persevere. You should only let them out when they go back to being their normal selves and when their behaviour isn’t conspicuous. As a general rule, that takes at least three weeks, but it can be up to three months,» explains cat expert Kasper. That way you also have enough time to install a cat flap. When the time’s right to let your four-legged friend back out, setting them on their way with an empty stomach means they shouldn’t have reason to roam too far from home. Rainy days are also advantageous, as your garden tiger won’t want to wander too far.

Moving with a dog: new territory, old habits

There’s a flurry of activity. Home and their favourite haunts both inside and out start to disappear and you can feel the buzz about the place. Dogs can really sense when their humans are stressed. All that to say, moving will likely be a lot better if there’s an element of calm. «When we stay relaxed, our pets mirror our behaviour,» explains biologist Lucia Oeschger from Schweizer Tierschutz (Swiss Animal Protection) (site in German), who’s been lending her expertise to help compile these tips.

Are you going to be renting? In that case, when you’re browsing listings, you need to check that dogs (singular or plural) are even allowed. And it’s an absolute must to get this confirmation in writing. If you want to be on the safe side, you can also chat to your potential neighbours beforehand. It’s easier to deal with any concerns when you know about them. Otherwise, you’ll want to introduce yourself (and your four-legged friend) just after you move in.

What’s also important is choosing the neighbourhood. Are there enough green spaces, dog parks and places to walk? Go and explore the area together with your pooch – and if possible, the new house as well. That way, they’ll be able to start finding their way around and settle in better. Don’t forget that dog parents have to (re)register their canine kids with the local commune.

How long it takes your doggo to adjust to a move and get used to their new home depends on factors such as breed, nature, age, disposition and past experience. They’ll even be able to sense the environment changing when you’re going through belongings and boxing them up. That can lead to varying levels of upset. It gets particularly hectic on moving day. Where possible, you can save your dog from experiencing this by taking them to a pet sitter they’re used to or a friend or family member they know.

Not an option? In that case, you’ll need to set up a separate safe haven, along with dog basket, food, water and toys. The people helping with your removal will also be grateful for being able to work without a disgruntled pooch circling them. Make sure that the doors are always well closed – a lot of canines get lost during moves.

And on the removal day itself? You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Use the same method for travelling with your dog as you always have – either by putting them in their cage or securing them in the car. Once you get to the new place, the motto is to stay by their side. As dogs are pack animals, you ideally don’t want to leave them alone at home for the first few days. Taking them for good long walks adds to their comfort level in their future patch. Routine is also very important for canine wellbeing. Keep up your usual rituals, be that playing a certain game, the frequency of walks or feeding times. What’s more, you should allocate set places for dog baskets, blankets and bowls straight away. But you can be a bit more generous with treats and extra TLC during moving time.

Hamsters, birds, fish: small animals out in the big world

What’s really important to bear in mind, even with small pets, is that every move provides a great opportunity to make the new pad even more animal-friendly, species-appropriate and safer. Get yourself up to speed on the best approach, from what’s deemed a sufficient pen size to the ideal place for a terrarium. Quick hint: rabbits, hamsters, fish and birds don’t like their enclosure being in direct sunlight or in places in the flat that are loud, draughty or used a lot. Also, as a general rule, when travelling, never let them sit in baking heat and don’t leave them alone in the car in their transport carriers.

Calming rodents and rabbits: my home is my cage – animals in pens are less demanding when it comes to moving. You’ll just want to keep stress and noise levels as low as possible on moving day. The best thing to do is put the cage or hutch in a quiet corner and cover it with a breathable towel or sheet before the big day. It’s also a good idea to place hamsters or mice in a clean cage. You don’t want to let tiny houses or hidey-holes tip over and hurt your little ones. Alternatively, an escape-proof cardboard box filled with straw and/or hay can help provide hiding places as well as act as storage for water and food.

Rabbits aren’t actually rodents but are instead lagomorphs. Both the latter and guinea pigs have different needs compared with other caged animals when it comes to their own little home. Hamsters (site in German) and mice also need to get out to exercise.

Although it depends on the type of species, guinea pigs and rabbits should never be kept in a closed cage. At most, it’s a safe haven and toilet hutch, and instead they ought to be allowed to run around freely all the time. Moreover, you should never keep just one – they always need to live with another of their species. You can check how much space small animals need on this animal keeper calculator (site in German). To give you an example, two rabbits always need to have at least four but ideally six square metres’ space. You can use as many Songmics pens as you need to mark out spots for your little companions to run around the flat freely. You can also find a lot of examples of pens for different species on these websites: for rabbits and guinea pigs (in German).

Incidentally, it doesn’t matter what your rental contract says. According to the Swiss tenants’ association (site in German), «unproblematic small animals» such as fish, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and birds can always be kept in a rented flat. Not only that: «Some rental experts also view cats as unproblematic small animals, as long as they don’t leave the flat.»

Moving with birds: as relocating can be loud and stressful, you’ll want to keep pet birds in a quiet place until the final moving day. And then? Less is more is the name of the game – but really only when it comes to transport cages. That way you reduce the risk of your birds getting injured when their feathery friends flap their wings. Covering the transport cage with a sheet or towel is an absolute must – just make sure it allows fresh air to get in. But by the same token, you also want to avoid any draughts, as these can pose health risks. Birds are another type of animal that need to be allowed to roam freely every day. Not only that, you have to make sure your cages or aviaries are suitable for that species of bird. A lot of those commercially available are just too small or come with the risk of injury. You can find out here (in German) what parakeets and their feathery friends need to stay healthy and happy.

Like a fish to water: to make sure the water quality is absolutely right, the aquarium has to be in optimal condition before you return the fish to their home. Depending on the size of the tank, dismantling, transporting and reassembling it can take considerable time. Make sure to factor in a generous timeslot and, if necessary, move the aquarium a bit ahead of time. Sometimes you need to completely refill it with fresh water. But bear in mind that it takes two weeks to cultivate the fish’s essential microclimate. You can establish good water quality sooner if you put filter material, accessories and plants into the new tank quickly. You can find more information about moving with fish, including feeding them and other helpful tips here (in German).