Ulti-mutt tips for moving Milton Keynes pets revealed

Milton Keynes housebuilder Barratt and David Wilson Homes has teamed up with leading animal charity Animals in Need to provide pet owners with advice on making moving home as stress-free as possible for their animals.

Now that residents are starting to move into its Woburn Downs development in the area, the top tips aim to provide pet owners with some advice on how to secure a smooth move.

Relocating to a new home can be a stressful experience for animals, but the developer is giving an insight into how house hunters can settle their pets into a new property with minimum distress.

Annie Marriott, Sanctuary Manager at Animals in Need, said: “As we all know, moving home brings about a lot of changes in lifestyle, routine and familiarity, and it also impacts on our animal companions.

“For some, it is almost like starting over completely and they do take a little while to settle, so please be patient if it takes longer than you expected.

“The first few weeks are very important as this is when your pet will adjust to new surroundings.”

The tips which can help with the moving process include:

Plan ahead

Consider how you can transport your pet safely, securely and with the minimum amount of stress. Don’t leave dogs or cats unattended in a vehicle.

Whilst you are in the process of packing ensure they have somewhere quiet and safe, away from as much of the disruption as possible. You can purchase pheromone products which help to relax the animal and make them feel safe.

Make sure you keep important information to hand so that you can update their details at the earliest opportunity.

It is a legal requirement for dogs to wear a tag on their collar showing the correct information as well as being up to date on the microchip database.

Introduce dogs gradually

Box up your pet’s belongings and clearly mark them so you can unpack them upon arrival, allowing them to have familiar items to help them settle. When you take your dog into the home for the first time, you might want to keep the lead on as you let them walk around and smell and investigate this new place.

Keep the lead on initially as you let them explore the garden too. Make sure collars or harnesses are a good fit so that your dog cannot wriggle out of them in panic. If using a head collar make sure it has an additional attachment to the dogs correctly fitting collar. Avoid using extending leads as they can be extremely dangerous.

Show children how to interact quietly and respectfully even if the dog is used to them.

Keep cats indoors for longer

Cats should be kept indoors for a minimum of four weeks. If you have only moved a short distance it may be wise to wait an extra couple of weeks so they are not tempted to try to find their way back to the old address.

Remember that house training is important

When house-training, use the same door to go outside initially. Always praise them as soon as they have gone to the toilet, to help them understand that is what you wanted from them. If they have an accident in the house try not to shout at them, they may not realise that is why you are angry, especially if this has happened while you were not in the room.

Getting settled in

If possible, restrict visitors for the first couple of weeks. Make sure that your pet has a quiet place of its own in your home. Somewhere it can relax quietly and be undisturbed. This is a good place to have some toys or chews but never send them there as a punishment.

Consistency is key

Be consistent from the start. If the dog is not allowed on the furniture or upstairs, impose this from day one to save creating confusion later on. During the settling in period, it is a good idea to try to use familiar routines with regard to feeding and walking times.

Regular walks de-stress them. If your dog is skittish at first, it may be better to use a collar and lead and a harness and lead as a backup until they settle down. If your dog shows signs of anxiety, you can calmly reassure them but never panic or get worked up regardless of what has happened.

Alison Raine, Sales Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes Northampton, said: “These tips from Animals in Need are a great way for pet owners to ensure their precious animals have the safest and smoothest move possible.

“We’re seeing many house hunters with cats and dogs looking for locations with plenty of open space, and our Woburn Downs development offers just that.

“We also have spacious properties available meaning even the most pampered pooches will fall in love with their new surroundings.”

Woburn Downs, located on Watling Street, is home to a growing community of two to five bedroom homes and recently welcomed its first residents.

For more information on the properties available, visit www.barratthomes.co.uk or www.dwh.co.uk. Alternatively, you can call the sales team to make an appointment on 033 3355 8481 or 033 3355 8482.