Moving With Pets-9 Tips
Moving With Pets.
Whether you’re moving across town or relocating to a new state, the process is extremely stressful not only to you but to your pet as well. Most pets love staying in a familiar environment away from the chaos of moving. All the activities involved in the moving process can cause anxiety and stress in your pets.
While moving with pets can be quite challenging, putting their needs and feelings first will help with the changes that come with relocating. To help your pet with the transition, below are nine essential tips for pet owners to follow:
Retain Your Daily Routine Until the Last Minute
Pets are very uncomfortable with changes, which could lead to stress. For a smooth transition, you need to maintain your pet’s routine until the last minute. Maintain the same schedule for walks, cuddling, feeding, playing, and bedtime.
Pets require a sense of constancy and stability even when you’re transitioning from one home to another.
Pack Your Things Early and Do It Progressively
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) advises pet owners to start packing the house early and do it progressively. Packing early will familiarize your pet with the moving boxes before the actual moving day. If there is anything that you would like to put in storage, make sure you do it in advance.
Schedule Some Time for Crate-Training
In the weeks leading to the move, you should start preparing your pet by crate training. Using a crate is the safest and the best way to keep your pet secure when moving to a new house. However, ask your vet for advice if you notice that your pet is too anxious or stressed.
Crate-training should be done in advance to re-introduce your pet to the crate. It makes your pet feel safe and secure while preparing for moving day. Experts advise that you start putting your pet in a crate for 10-20 minutes without reacting to their objections.
Ensure you also give them toys to play with and reward them with treats afterward.
Keep the Pet Away From All the Moving Chaos
When the moving day comes, ensure your pet stays out of the busy parts of your house. If you’re unable to take them to a family member’s or friend’s house, ensure you keep them in a secluded area with the least amount of action.
You can choose one of the already emptied bedrooms to keep your pet when the movers arrive. You can also put them in the garage or their kennel. However, ensure that they are comfortable and have enough food, water, and toys to play with.
Take Your Pet to the New House for a Tour
Before moving into the new house, take your pet for a house tour. This will allow the pet to become familiar with the environment and the smell of your new home. You can also let your pet tag along when you’re going to inspect the new house.
While giving your pet a house tour, this is also the best time to update the information on their tag to include the new phone number and address.
When Moving, Travel With Your Pet
When moving into your new home, ensure you travel with your pet in the same car. You can also use your vehicle for comfort. If you have a small dog or a cat, you can put them in a carrier and secure it with a seat belt at the scar’s back seat.
If your pet is uncomfortable with car rides and movement, you can throw a blanket over their carrier to prevent them from seeing the changing scenery and environment outside. If you are moving into a different town or state, you can consider hiring animal transport services to safely get your pet into your new home.
Schedule a Vet Visit for Your Pet Before Moving
Before the moving day, schedule a visit to your pet’s veterinarian to make sure your pet is healthy. Take advantage of this visit to also seek advice about what to do during the transition period. You can get some insightful tips specific to your pet that may come in handy when moving.
Your vet can also recommend new vets who practice in the area you’re moving to. This way, you will be adequately prepared in case anything happens to your pet during the transition.
If your pet is prone to anxiety and stress when traveling, your vet could recommend a sedative to keep them calm. Ensure you follow the vet’s directives for the safety of your pet.
Hire a Pet Sitter
If you can, hire someone to stay with your pet as you handle the moving process. You can also find out if one of your friends, neighbors, or family members would keep your pet for the day. If not, getting a pet sitter is the best option as it will keep your pet away from all the chaos and confusion of the moving process.
Stay Calm and Don’t Project Your Pressure and Stress onto the Pet
Moving is stressful, and, understandably, you may be confused and strained. However, try your best to stay calm and avoid stressing your pet. Be patient with your pet, and remember that they are also quite stressed. Pets are very sentient and perceptive; they will know when you are stressed.
Now You Know What You Need When Moving With Pets
Moving into a new house can be one of the most stressful and hectic things you will tackle. However, in the confusion and chaos of packing your belongings and moving around cardboard boxes in your house, you might forget its impact on your pet.
Moving with pets can be quite stressful, but if you follow the above nine tips, your pet will quickly get through the moving process and settle into your new home. Check out our other posts on our blog for more valuable tips.
