Are you about to wave goodbye to a much loved home?
If so then spare a thought for your four-legged friend as he woofs a fond farewell to his favourite park, lamp post and chums. According to dog experts at Butcher's Pet Food dogs can get homesick too whilst adjusting to their new pad with 30,000* pets a year going missing during the moving process. However, to offer a helping paw the family-owned brand has revealed some top tips to help put Fido at ease and settle him into his new environment quicker than he can bark, 'Butcher's'!
Here are Butcher's Pet Food's easy to follow top tips for dog owners on the move:
- Pack up your baggage and bones. It is likely that every room will be in chaos as you get ready to move but try to keep one room untouched for as long as possible; the kitchen is often the best place as it is most probably the last room that the removal team will empty. Your dog can seek solace in here plus it will keep him from under the removal men's feet!
- Paws for thought. Spread packing out over a few weeks to avoid extra stress in the last few days; plus it might help your blood pressure too! This will ensure Fido stays as relaxed as possible and does not get over excited in a last minute rush.
- Stick to your routine. Keep your dog's routine as normal as possible. Make sure you feed him at the same times in the weeks leading up to the move and take him out for lots of walks. This will not only help shield him from the chaos of moving but ensure he keeps as 'fit as a Butcher's dog'!
- Sniffing it out. If you're not moving too far away, take your furry friend to visit his new area a few weeks before the big day so that he can familiarise himself with new sights and smells. You'll probably find a bigger and better park than he's used too!
- No escape. Transport your pet safely by creating identification tags prior to moving with your address and telephone number on and ensure that your dog wears them during travel, so this way he will be identified easily if he runs away!
- Give him some barking space. On arrival, try to find a quiet room or corner for your dog so that he can get acclimatised and not caught up in removal men and boxes. Alternatively see if a friend or family member would mind dog-sitting during the moving process.
- Avoid having a whiff in the air. Thoroughly clean the rooms in the new house where your dog will be staying, especially if the previous owner had pets; lingering scents from other animals can be disturbing to a new dog resident.
- Marking his territory. On arrival while keeping your dog on a lead, you should show him around the rooms he is allowed in and allow him to have a good sniff to familiarise himself.
- Home Sweet Home. In your new home, help create an environment that is familiar and relaxing for your dog by surrounding him with his favourite blankets and toys.
- Dog proofing. Investigate your new home thoroughly to help make sure there are no dangerous hiding places he might make a beeline for. Make sure windows are sealed, in case the dog panics and tries to escape. Your dog might enjoy playing hide and seek but you certainly won't!
- And Finally... Spoil him. Give your dog lots of reassuring cuddles and his favourite food. Try something delicious like Butcher's all meat recipes, made with nothing artificial. Your four legged friend will wolf it down and forget he ever had another home! Says Alison Cockcroft of Butcher's Pet Food, "Butcher's Pet Food is a family-owned business and we believe that dogs thrive when they are involved in all aspects of family life. Although moving house is an exciting time for you, it can often send dogs into a tizzy. So it is important that you take extra special care of them during the moving process.
Butcher's Pet Food is committed to the well being of your pet to ensure dogs across the country are 'As Fit as a Butcher's Dog'. Developed in conjunction with leading nutritionists, Butcher's all-meat recipes are not bulked out with cereal or soya, artificial preservatives, colourings and flavourings and are made with fresh meat.
To see a full list of the top tips click onto www.butcherspetcare.com. * Research by Direct Line Pet Care
