Moving house can be as stressful for the family pet as it is for humans. When their owners move house, many animals are lost as they become confused in their new environment or go looking for their old home. So planning for the relocation of the family pet is an important aspect of moving.

First, ensure that dogs and cats are wearing collars and identity tags in case they wander off. Cats are very attached to their territory and need careful consideration. On the day before and during the move, cats should be given easily digestible food and water only to reduce stomach upsets brought on by stress.

On the day of the move, keep the cat indoors, away from the commotion of the removal team - or, to be on the safe side, ask a friend to look after her for the day. Cats are not fond of travelling by car and can suffer from panic attacks, anxiety or travel sickness. A vet can supply anti-sickness pills in advance of the move and a strong, sturdy cat carrier can help allay panic attacks and anxiety, especially if it has familiar bedding in it. Sudden, sharp movements and loud noises should be avoided as these cause anxiety. If a considerable distance is being travelled, water needs to be supplied and a window left open for ventilation.

At the new home, it may take some time for the cat to adjust to the new surroundings. Leave her a while to settle in a particular room. Put out a litter tray, a favourite toy, feed her and let her rest overnight, before she explores the rest of the house. And don't forget to give her plenty of attention and make a fuss of her - this helps her to relax.

Cats' priorities are eating and sleeping, so these aspects of her new lifestyle need to be worked on first. Feed her small tasty meals throughout the day and let her hunt for food by leaving small amounts of cat food in several locations. For snoozing and sleeping, give her familiar bedding and leave it somewhere she's likely to love. Help her feel at home by marking the new house with her scent. Rub a damp towel over her body and around her face and then stroke over prominent surfaces, like corners of furniture and doorways.

As an alternative, there is a way to "cheat" the cat that she has previously been in the room before. A Feliway diffuser plugged into the room socket like an air freshener will calm her by releasing a pheromone (scent) which makes her think she has been in the room before and has marked it with her scent. This will last about a month and is available from the vet or an animal behaviourist.

Keep her inside the house for as long as it takes her to acclimatise - this can take up to three or four weeks. If she is used to being outside, the cat will need to work off her excess energy with predatory chase games. This will also help prevent behavioural problems. A simple stick with a dangling feather can act as potential "prey" or a small torch shone under furniture can act as a mouse.

The most worrying problem is that she will escape and become lost. Before letting her loose, help her get her bearings by placing her in a cat harness and walking her around the garden. Check with the new neighbours to see if there are any other cats in the vicinity.

To avoid confrontation between such cats and her, talk to their owners about a trial timetable so the cat can safely explore her new garden at set periods. This will also help determine whether it is wise to have a normal cat flap installed or whether to have one which only she can use. She can also be trained to come for her meal if her owner bangs her dish when calling her at mealtimes. Therefore, if she slinks off, she'll be more likely to return when she hears it's time to eat.

Moving house with the family dog is more straightforward, according to Jim Stephens, a leading animal behaviourist. He says: "Some of the dog's bedding should be brought with him. Settle him into the area which will become his permanent den and, if possible, leave the dog in this area during the move. Family and the removal men should be reminded to keep the door closed so the dog does not wander off and possibly get lost."

A move is the perfect opportunity to make any desired changes to the dog's routine - for example, change it from an indoor to an outdoor dog, change where he sleeps and so on.

With male dogs in a new home, there may be an increase in urine marking of territory, including the inside of the house. To prevent this, the dog could be groomed with a damp clean cloth and then the cloth used to rub his scent onto entry points in the new home. Alternatively dog appeasing pheromones (DAP) scents can be used - these can be purchased from the vet or animal behaviourist.

It is important to check the boundaries of the new property to make sure that there are no breaks in fences through which the dog could wander. Similarly, latches on garden gates should be checked to make sure that they are secure and that the dog cannot escape.

In the new garden, it is important to check for any areas which may be unsafe for the dog - for example, are the plants safe for animals, are there protruding nails or wires?

Introducing the dog to the new neighbourhood should be done on the lead. Short walks in the surrounding area will acclimatise the dog and give him the opportunity of learning his way home should he inadvertently be let loose or escape in the future.

If immediate neighbours have dogs, arrange to meet them off-property well away from the house. This neutral territory should have no claims from the neighbour's animal and therefore the introduction of the dogs will be less confrontational. This will also offer an opportunity to meet the new neighbours.

Jim Stephens advises not to feed the dog on the day of the actual move. "This will lessen the chance of travel sickness and allow you to introduce the dog to his new home by feeding him soon after arriving. Remember to keep the dog's food and dishes where you can easily find them and not packed away in a box! If the journey is long, do make sure to stop and give the dog toilet and water breaks. If the day is warm try to keep the car well ventilated. In addition, a damp towel draped over the dog or its travel box will help keep the dog cool - although you may need to stop and wet the cloth several times."

How does the owner know if the dog is relaxed in his new environment?

"If the dog is eating normally, he's happy in his surroundings," Jim Stephens says. "Just like us, a stressed animal will close down his appetite for food in case he has to flee or fight. The best thing to do if this happens is to feed him tasty morsels or treats in his new room thereby associating the new room with something rewarding, rather than a frightening place."

For information on all aspects of dog care and tips on the dog-owner relationship, log onto www.ie.pedigree.com. For cats, see www.whiskas.ie.