NATASHA Seaborn-Davies, (44) has three Tibetan Terrier dogs, Doris (six months), Dudley (two) and Pips (15), and has been faced with the task of settling them into new surroundings during her own move.

Moving to a new home can be a stressful experience for animals, but Natasha has given homebuyers an insight into how they can settle their pets into a new property with minimum distress.

Provide a comfortable journey to a new home:

When transporting a pet to a new home Natasha advises homebuyers to make the journey as familiar as possible and to allow pets to steadily enter their new environment.

She said: “Buyers should travel with pets in their usual way and plan ahead by using travel crates which can be moved easily from the vehicle to the house.

“When at the new home, those with more nervous pets should open the door to the crate and let the animal to come out in their own time when they are feeling more confident, allowing them to explore their new environment at their own pace.”

Settling pets into their new surroundings:

Natasha advises homebuyers to focus on making the new environment both relaxed and fun in order to make pets feel more comfortable.

On the ways in which homebuyers can create this environment, she said: “Making sure their toys are already there and giving them one of their favourite treats will reinforce a positive impression when a pet first enters their new home.

“Taking 15 minutes away from unpacking to play with their favourite toy in the home or garden will use positive confirmation to make them feel more at ease.

“Animals pick up on human behaviour, so staying relaxed and using a positive tone will help them to feel more comfortable.”

Choosing the right place for your pet to sleep:

Placing a pet’s bed in the right place can be vital for them feeling assured in a new environment.

Natasha continued: “If possible, try to pick a spot that is similar to the one in your last home. Hearing familiar sounds will make the transition to a new place easier.“It is not always a good idea to place a pet’s bed near to the front door as they may feel like they have to be constantly guarding the new house while in their bed and will struggle to relax.”

Making a new home and garden pet-friendly

On keeping pets happy and healthy in a new home, Natasha said: “If your pet is young or a chewer, be aware of any wires, appliances or sharp objects that are either already in the home or in boxes waiting to be unpacked.

“During the process of moving, it can be difficult to keep track of which aspects of the new surroundings are catching their attention- not always in a good way! It’s really important to ensure that all cleaning products and medicines are kept out of reach to avoid accidents.

“Homebuyers should ensure that gardens are secure and that there are no holes which escape artists could slip through and get lost.”

Remembering the administrative jobs

It’s easy to forget about the lesser known necessities which need to be completed when moving house.

Natasha added: “Homebuyers must remember to update pets’ ID tags, microchip information, veterinary registration and insurance cover, making sure their new address is added to each of these things.

“These tasks can often slip the mind but are a very important part of making a move with a pet.”

For more information about the homes available at Croft Gardens, please call the David Wilson Homes sales team on 033 3355 8487 or visit www.dwh.co.uk.

For more information about moving with pets, please visit www.dwh.co.uk/library/Moving-Home-with-Pets.