Supposedly moving house is one of the most stressful things we do in our lives, so it goes without saying that our four legged companions sometimes need a little help adjusting to new surroundings. Cats are particularly sensitive to a change in territory and can find moving into a new neighbourhood a little stressful. There are plenty of stories of cats making their way back to their old stomping grounds after a relocation. Here are a few sensible steps to avoid your cat going AWOL and hopefully settling in quickly.

1. Keep your cat indoors for at least two weeks ideally. It gives them a chance to realise that the new house has a good supply of food and comfort, so when they do eventually go out they have an incentive to return to what has become familiar to them.

2. Use a pheromone spray or diffuser (e.g. ‘Feliway’). These look like plug-in air fresheners, but they squirt into the air a synthetic cat pheromone that we can’t smell. It is the same pheromone that cats produce when they rub their faces on things to leave a familiar scent, and it makes them feel relaxed and settled in a foreign environment.

3. Nutritional supplements – in recent times the serotonin-boosting supplements have gained popularity as a way of making pets feel more content. They are a milk protein-based amino acid supplement that contains L-tryptophan, which is the building block of the neurotransmitter ‘serotonin’. Increased levels of serotonin in the brain are associated with feelings of content and well-being, and so the idea is if you can encourage more natural production of serotonin then you will feel happier about stressful situations!

4. Create a den or a hide-away. Sometimes cats really appreciate being able to hide away – it makes them feel more protected. A cat igloo (covered cat bed) or a quiet spot under the bed or in the bottom of a cupboard with a nice familiar smelling towel or old t-shirt can help them to feel more settled.

5. Before you let them out make sure they are either wearing a collar with a tag or they are microchipped, and all your details have been updated on the microchip register – there’s no point having the local animal shelter call your old house to tell you they have your cat!

For dogs it is often a much simpler matter of finding a nice warm spot for the dog bed! Occasionally some dogs can be a bit more sensitive to change – the same supplements and a dog version of the pheromone diffuser are also available. As with cats, make sure their microchip details have been updated.

If you have any questions about moving your pet, come in and have a chat to us or ask about what products might be most suitable for your pet.