There are plenty of things you can add to your moving house checklist to make sure the Big Move doesn’t scare the pooch or spook the cat!

Dogs
•    Dogs love routine, so try to fit lots of car journeys into their schedule to acclimatise them to the drive on Moving Day.

•    Again, establishing a sense of familiarity is important, so try to take the pooch for a few walks around your new neighbourhood in the run up to the move.

•    Before moving, on moving day and for a few days after, try to take pooch on the same walk. Dogs hate the unfamiliar!

•    Make sure you pack dog food, the dog bed and any toys and treats your canine friend might want for when you arrive at the new house. Removal companies love well-labelled boxes, so make sure it’s easy to find the pet supplies.

Cats
For cats, it’s essential that they feel safe and secure. Moving house can be very stressful for cats – they hate the car, they don’t understand why they can’t go outside, everything smells unfamiliar, they can’t find their relaxing sun-trap on the stairs etc.

•    Make sure kitty is surrounded by her favourite smells and toys (popping your own worn clothing in can help) on the actual move.

•    House removals can be noisy and a bit scary for animals, so put kitty in a room on her own until it’s all over. And don’t worry if she seems furtive, she just wants to explore on her own terms.