Pets experience stress during relocations in much the same way that people do. As a pet parent, you can reduce that stress by preparing your pet for the move, keeping your pet safe on move day, and creating a comfortable environment in your new home. Taking these steps for moving with pets is important for a pet’s health and happiness. It can help both of you settle into your new home.
Prepare Your Pet for the Move
In the time leading up to move day, you can help your pet prepare for the relocation.
Make Your Pet Easy to Find
Some pets try to run away when they arrive in their new home. Talk to your vet about getting your pet microchipped, if you haven’t done so already. Fit your pet with an ID collar that provides your pet’s name, your name, and your phone number, so anyone can easily reach you if they find your pet somewhere.
Give Yourself Time to Find a New Veterinarian
Will you need a new veterinarian at your new home? Fill out any pet prescriptions before you leave just in case it takes a while to find a new vet at your home.
Get Your Pet Ready For a Long Trip
Are you traveling a long distance for your relocation? Get your pet ready to spend time in a crate inside your vehicle.
- Give your pet their meals inside the crate.
- Go for short drives with your pet in the crate.
- When you let your pet out of their crate, play with them and give them a treat.
- Take your pet on increasingly long trips. Watch for signs of car sickness. If your pet gets car sickness, see the veterinarian for car sickness medication.
- Look up pet-friendly hotels along your route and make your reservations in advance. Most hotels require you to tell them that you’ll have a pet with you when you check-in.
Keep Your Pet Safe On Move Day
Many pets get anxious on move day especially when professional movers arrive. If you have a friend or relative who can watch your pet, send your pet with them on move day. If your pet is with you at home, tell your distance or local movers that you have a pet. Keep your pet shut in a familiar space while the boxes are being loaded into the truck.
When it’s time to leave with your pet, remember to buckle them into their seat belt harness, or buckle their crate in place. Never allow your pet to ride around in a vehicle without being harnessed or buckled in. Never put your pet in the back of a truck.
If you’re going on a long car ride, give your pet frequent bathroom breaks. If you need to go to the bathroom, your pet probably does too. Keep your pet leashed during all bathroom breaks.
Make Your New Home Safe
Your new home needs to be pet-proofed, just like your old home. When you arrive at your new home, you may not have time to fully pet-proof at first. Your pet may find your new space overwhelming anyway. Keep your pet in a pet-proofed room with food, water, a bed, and toys. Do this until you’ve been able to prepare the rest of your home and your pet is calm.
- Keep electrical cords tucked away.
- Check for any pest-control poison traps that may have been left by previous owners or tenants.
- Keep houseplants out of reach.
- Secure trash bins.
Introduce new rooms of your house one at a time until your pet is fully comfortable in your new house. It will take time to help your pet adjust to your new home, but it’s worth it. Doing this correctly can help your pet adjust to their new space.
Don’t Forget Together Time
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of a relocation, but don’t forget together time with your pet. Playing together, going for walks, and spending time cuddling is good for you and your pet. Take time every day throughout the relocation to spend time together. Your pet will feel better and so will you.
Hope you found the above tips useful! Please feel free to share your experiences with us in the comments!
