Are You Moving with Pets? Use These 7 Tips to Make it Easier on Everyone
Moving to a new home is one of the most stressful life events you’ll endure. Think about how it must affect your pets.
Domestic cats and dogs enjoy routine. They’re also very territorial, which means they can get nervous when taken out of their comfort zone.
Moving pets to another house is also difficult for you, especially if you’re traveling a long distance. In addition to all the responsibilities related to the move, you need to keep your pet’s mental well-being in mind.
To help out, we’re going over seven tips to make moving with pets much easier on you and your furry friends.
1. Visit Your Vet
You’ll need to make a final visit to your veterinarian before moving. Let them know you’re moving so they can provide you with your pet’s records and any medications they’re on. Your new vet will need these.
Speaking of a new vet, if you don’t already have one lined up in your new city, ask your current veterinarian if they can recommend someone.
You should also talk to your vet about moving day. They may have some tips that will make traveling easier. It’s also a good idea to have your pet microchipped if they aren’t already.
If you know your pet doesn’t like traveling in cars, ask about medication that will calm their nerves. Cat’s are usually more nervous than dogs, but there are things you can give them to help them relax.
2. Preparing Your Pet for Transit
During the weeks leading up to moving day, there are some things you can do to prepare your pets for travel.
There’s a good chance you’ll use a crate or carrier when in transit, especially if you have a cat. Start getting them acclimated by putting them in their carrier each day.
Place food in their crate or carrier so they start forming a good association with it. You should also place a blanket inside so they start feeling comfortable. It’s also a good idea to leave the door open so they can enter and leave as they please.
If your pet hasn’t traveled much, it can’t hurt to take them on some short drives leading up to moving day. Getting your pet accustomed to riding in a car will ease their anxiety.
3. Book the Right Hotels
If you’re making a long distance move, you’ll need to break up the trip and stay in a hotel. Making a cross-country move without stops is possible, but it puts a huge strain on your pets.
When planning your trip, make sure you only book hotels that are pet-friendly. This means you’re allowed to take your pets up to your room overnight.
If the hotel you book isn’t pet-friendly, you’ll either have to deal with finding new accommodations or incurring a fee. Plan ahead and avoid these headaches.
Your pets will appreciate the much-needed break from riding in the car.
4. Making Things Easier on Moving Day
You’ve been preparing for months and now moving day has finally arrived. This is an exciting day for you and your family, but a nerve-wracking one for your pets.
The best thing you can do is find a place for your pets to go while everything gets packed into the moving truck. This helps relieve their stress and also makes things easier for you and the movers.
The best option is to have a neighbor or friend watch over them until you’re ready to go. This way they avoid the chaos altogether.
If this isn’t an option, designate a quiet room for them to stay in while the moving takes place. Make this the last room you pack so it remains familiar to your pets.
5. During the Trip
If you’re traveling a relatively short distance, you won’t need to do as much preparation. However, if you’re moving far away, there are some things you can do to make the journey easier.
If you have a cat, secure their carrier with a seat belt and make sure they have a blanket. It’s also a good idea to face the carrier so they can see you.
If your dog is traveling in a crate, make sure they’re secure in the back seat. They should also have a blanket and any special toys they like.
For both cats and dogs, you may want to try covering their crate or carrier with a blanket. This may make them feel more comfortable.
6. Ease Them Into Their New Home
Once you’ve arrived at your new home, you may have the urge to let your pets out right away. However, this could end up causing them more stress.
Instead, designate a room for them to get used to first. Put their food and toys in this room and let them calm down for a while. This is more important for cats, as they take longer to adapt to new environments.
After they’ve calmed down, let them start exploring their new home slowly. If possible, unpack the moving truck before letting the exploration begin. This will cut down on further stress.
You should also make their crate or carrier available to them. They may want to hang out there until things quiet down.
7. Establish a Familiar Routine
After the move is finished, it’s time for things to get back to normal for your pets. This means returning to their old schedule.
Start taking your dog for walks at the same time you did at the old house. This will give them a chance to start exploring their new neighborhood. Your dog also needs to start understanding the boundaries of their new home.
If you have a cat, make sure you show them exactly where their litter box is. If you have an indoor/outdoor cat, it’s probably best to keep them inside until they’re totally acclimated.
You’ll also need to get feeding times back on the normal schedule. Soon, your pets will have forgotten about the old house altogether.
Take the Stress Out of Moving with Pets
Relocating and staring a new chapter is an exciting event for you and your family. However, the moving process is extremely stressful, especially for your furry friends.
Make the trip easier by taking advantage of these tips for moving with pets.
If you need professional movers to assist you with your move, we can help. Contact us today.
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