Moving with a Pet
If you are a pet owner (or consider yourself a pet parent) and are planning to move soon, you may be wondering how you can make moving easier on your pet. After all, moving can be stressful for everyone in your home, including your fur babies! Here are some tips to make moving with pets as easy as possible.
Plan Ahead
Whether you’re moving with a dog or moving with a cat, some things remain the same: you need to have a plan. If more than one person is moving along with you, assign one person to pet duty to cut down on confusion and have some consistency for your furry friend. Make a list of the things you’ll need while traveling to your new destination, as well in the first few days at your new home. Be sure to include:
· Food and treats
· Can opener (if your pet’s food is in a can!)
· Drinking water
· Food and water bowls
· Leashes, collars, and/or harnesses
· Carrier or crate
· Old towels (great for muddy paws!)
· Paper towels
· Litter and small litter box, if you have cats
· Poop bags, if you have dogs
· Your pet’s blanket or bed, if possible
· Toys
· Any medications or supplements your pet takes
Wait as long as possible to pack up your pet’s supplies; remember, they are affected by change too! Also, if you’re moving cross-country with a cat or dog, visit your vet before you go. You’ll be able to get your pet’s records to take with you, as well as ask your vet what else you can do to make your pet comfortable during the move. This is also a good time to change your address if your pet has a microchip. Your vet can provide you with information on how to do that.
Transportation
If you’re doing a local move, consider a day at a doggy daycare or cat hotel for the day, just so your pet will be safe and out of the way while things are happening. A trusted, pet-friendly friend or relative could work for this too.
If you’re traveling long distances by car, make sure you plan stops ahead of time. Do your research for dog parks, rest stops, and pet-friendly hotels along the way. A car harness, crate or carrier is recommended to protect your pets as they travel with you, in case of an accident. Acclimate your pet to the car with short trips if he or she is not much of a car rider. Deactivate the airbag for whichever seat your pet is occupying.
If you’re traveling by air, make your arrangements well in advanced. Airlines have strict guidelines for how pets travel and can only accept a certain number on each flight. Make sure you complete all the necessary paperwork and have it in-hand when you leave for the airport.
Settling In
Once you get to your new home with your pets, it’s a good idea to confine them to one area, preferably away from all the hustle and bustle of moving. Set up their crate, carrier, or bed in that area, and let them try to relax and get acclimated to their new place.
Take a good look at your new home and make sure it’s ready for your fur baby. Check for crevices where your pet may get stuck, for example, a hole in the drywall or a small area behind an appliance may seem like nothing, but for a cat or small dog, it could be too enticing to leave alone. If you’re moving with a cat, you may want to clean your new home with familiar products before letting your cat out to explore the new place. Cats are very aware of new smells, even ones humans can’t smell, and a good cleaning with products you already use can help your kitty get comfortable more quickly.
Pets can startle and escape when moving, so make sure you watch your doors and windows carefully, and be aware of things that may startle your pet. If your pet goes on walks, do a couple extra each day in your new neighborhood to help you both become more familiar with the area!
After a few weeks, find a local vet and introduce them to your pet, if only to drop off their records. If there’s an emergency ever, it will save you time!
Moving to a new house with your pet will be a great new adventure for your both. During the process, make sure you give even more love and attention to your pet, because change is hard on animals too.