Every year, millions of pets end up in shelters, and one of the biggest reasons for that is that their owners are moving. But your pet is a member of your family, and just because you move to a new location, it doesn’t mean that your furry friend can’t come with you. With a little extra planning, bringing your pet to your new home can be easy and stress-free.
Here are some tips for moving with your pet.
Choose a Pet-Friendly Home
Before you make your move with your pet, keep him in mind when selecting a new home. If you’re moving to an apartment or condo, make sure pets are welcome. If you’re buying or renting a house, make sure it has a yard or it’s in a walkable neighborhood where your pet can exercise. You’ll also want to check for any HOA restrictions.
Go See Your Vet
A week or two before your move, make an appointment with your vet. Make sure your pet’s vaccines and medical records are up-to-date, and get copies to bring along when you travel. You may need them if you stay in a hotel with your pet, or if your pet gets injured or sick along the way.
You can also ask your vet for specific tips for moving day. Some pets need anxiety or nausea medications for riding in the car, so you can ask for that while you’re there.
Pack a Bag for Your Pet
Make sure you have a bag packed with your pet’s belongings to take along in the car. You may need to access it if you stop along the way to your new home. It’ll also come in handy when you arrive at your new destination and all of your belongings are still in boxes.
Include any medications your pet takes, food and water dishes, food, toys, a leash, a bed, a litter box for cats, and anything else your pet might need throughout the first few days.
Make Sure Your Pet Has an Updated ID
If your pet has a microchip, make sure the information is updated with your new address and current phone number. Do the same with any tags your pet may wear on their collar. If your pet doesn’t have a microchip or collar, consider getting one or both before you go.
Hire a Moving Company
Attempting to move your belongings and keeping up with your pet at the same time can be overwhelming for many pet owners. Hiring a moving company can take the stress out of it. The movers will handle your belongings while you make sure your furry family member is safe and secure.
Keep Your Pet Contained On Moving Day
On the day of your move, movers and other members of your family will be in and out constantly. It’s easy for a dog or cat to slip out the door and get lost. Make a plan to keep your pet contained during this time. It might mean keeping your dog in his crate in a spare bedroom or keeping your cat in a bathroom that no one will use.
Just make sure they have plenty of food and water and you check in on them from time to time. You’ll also want to make sure the space is safe and quiet so it doesn’t cause anxiety.
Here are some things you’ll want to avoid when you move with your pet.
1. Don’t wait until you move to find a new vet
Before you move, find a vet in your new city. This way, if you have an emergency, you know exactly who to call or where to go.
2. Don’t change your pet’s routine
Dogs and cats are creatures of habit. It’s natural for them to be scared and anxious in a new home, but one way to combat that is to stick to their regular routine. Feed them and walk them at the same time. If your dog sleeps in a crate or kennel, put them to bed at the same time.
Don’t be in a hurry to get to your new home
If you’re driving to your new home and your pet is riding along, it may slow things down a little bit, and that’s okay. Stop for potty breaks and to take short walks. Stop overnight if riding in the car for too long is too much for your pet.
4. Don’t trust your pet to roam free at your new location.
Don’t just let your dog or cat out at your new location and expect them to understand the boundaries. Cats should be kept inside. Dogs should only go out on a leash. Letting them run free outdoors, particularly in a new location, could scare them and cause them to run away.
5. Don’t rehome your pet just because you’re moving
While rehoming is necessary in some circumstances, most of the time it can be avoided with a little extra planning. Always consider rehoming your pet a last resort.
