Moving house is a significant change for everyone in the family, including your furry friends. Pets thrive on routine, and everything will be up in the air when you're making a big move. While transporting animals is a necessary part of the process, you can take steps to ease the transition and cut the stress levels for your pet.

1. Focus on Routines

The most important thing you can do to keep your pet relaxed and happy is to maintain their routine for as long as you can. Your pet should be the last thing that you move to your new home. Keep their bedding, litter and feeding areas untouched until the last day. If you can, separate your animals from the frenzy of packing, organizing and cleaning, so that their immediate environment stays predictable and secure.

2. Keep Them Close

While there are distinct advantages to outsourcing the moving process to someone else, you should keep your pets with you while you move house. Ideally, your furry family members should travel in a kennel or cage in your vehicle. Bring security objects such as toys and blankets for the trip. Traveling is going to increase your pet's stress levels, and your presence will be calming and comforting while you move to your new home.  Transporting animals is not something you should leave to a stranger.

3. Create a Safe Haven

Before you arrive at our new house with your pet, create an animal-friendly area where they are safe and accommodated, such as a closed in garage or bedroom. Set up their food, litter and sleeping areas, so they arrive to a familiar environment. The unpacking process is loud and chaotic, so keep your animal separated from this as much as possible. Once you have settled in and things have calmed down, introduce your pet to your new home quietly and at their own pace, allowing them plenty of time to take in the new sights and smells.

4. Ease the Transition

Moving house is particularly confusing for animals. Because your pet is attached to their environment, you need to keep them close to home while they find their new normal. Even if your animal is used to being outdoors, or moving freely between your home and yard, it is a good idea to keep them inside until you are sure they have adjusted. It's not uncommon for animals to run back to their old neighborhood after a move, so allow several weeks before letting pets roam freely. It also doesn't hurt to try old wives' tales like rubbing butter on your cat's paws. Licking it off is said to distract your cat, helping them imprint on their new space without excessive stress.

Moving house is an exciting time for the whole family. While you may look forward to the changes that are happening, your pet is likely confused and distressed by the upheaval. Being smart and considerate when you're transporting animals will ensure that your furry family members stay safe, comfortable and calm while you make this big change.