SPCA New Zealand
Advice & welfare

Tips on moving house with a dog

Moving can be a stressful experience for both dogs and owners. Here are some tips to make things easier.

Make sure that your new house is secure for your dog and that he/she cannot escape. Dogs moved to a new home sometimes want to escape. Introduce your dog slowly and gradually to the new home as described above for introducing a new dog to your home.

If your dog is stressed with the change in surroundings, talk to your veterinarian about calming products. It is helpful to keep other aspects of your dog’s life as consistent as possible around a move (for example, maintaining the same routine, feeding the same, and keeping familiar objects with the dog like favourite beds or toys) and to spend lots of time keeping your dog company in the new house and helping him/her to feel secure and at home.

It is ESSENTIAL to update your dog’s the microchip details up-to-date if you move house or your contact numbers change. The SPCA receives many lost dogs who we cannot reunite with their owner because the microchip details have not been updated.

Update your microchip details at: www.animalregister.co.nz


Lost dogs

Moving house is a higher risk time for losing your dog; if your dog is missing visit our lost animal page for advice.


Download our full Dog and Puppy Care Brochure (PDF)

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