Whether you’re moving across the country or down the street, the process of moving can be just as stressful on your pets as it is on you. Not all pet personalities are the same (we know, your pet has the BEST personality), so the reaction to moving will affect each pet differently. To keep your pet safe during your move, follow these tips for moving pets to ensure a less stressful move with your furry friend.
BEFORE THE MOVE:
- Ensure your pet has properly fitted collars with identification tags that contain current information, especially your name and phone number in case they make an escape during or after the move.
- If your pet is prone to stress-related illness, speak with your vet before the move about medications they can take or how to handle any issues that appear during the moving process.
- If your new home is far away and you plan to stay at a hotel along the way, identify pet-friendly hotels beforehand and retrieve any pertinent information you need before arriving.
- If you’re making a long-distance move and your pet isn’t crate-trained, try to acclimate them to using a crate before you move. Preparing them to stay in the crate now can help alleviate stress during the move.
DURING THE MOVE:
- Although the moving process leaves everyone in a frazzled, spastic state at times, it’s important to keep your pet as close to their routine as possible before, during and after the move. It’s likely they’ll feel stressed during the moving process and even more so if their routine is disrupted.
- To avoid any escape attempts and early stress during the move, plan to keep them in a room or area you’ll pack last. This will keep them less stressed during the move and less likely to experience a stress-related illness or prone to stress-related behaviors.
- When moving, your entryway transforms into a swinging door as people are constantly moving things out of your home. Keep pets away from this area to avoid escape attempts they may be tempted to make.
- Keep a watchful eye on your pets for any signs or symptoms of stress-related behaviors or illnesses.
- Allow your pet to take plenty of bathroom breaks if your move includes a road trip.
- If it’s possible to do before the move, make efforts to pet-proof your new home. This means you should rid the home of anything that can be harmful to your pets – especially plants or bug/rodent killing items. Ensure there is nothing left behind by the previous owner that your pet could get ahold of and make sure entrances and exits are secured before leaving your pet to wander on their own.
AFTER THE MOVE:
- The best thing to do immediately after you move into your new home is to work on familiarizing your pet with the new surroundings. Let your pet roam around the new home and explore every nook and cranny they desire. If you have a dog, take them on plenty of walks around the neighborhood and spend extra time in the backyard with them for the first few days.
- Don’t worry too much if all your cat wants to do is hide in small, dark spaces. This is normal for a short time period right after moving. Give your cat the time and space to adjust to the new surroundings. They’ll come around. If you worry about their well-being after giving them time and space, a trip to the veterinarian is recommended.
- Introduce items familiar to your pets. This practice can help reduce the stress and feelings of change that surround them in the new space. Show them where their bed or their “space” is, bring out their favorite toys or your items they know very well.
- The most important tip of all? When moving pets, give them extra love and care during this changing time.
Stress commonly affects both pets and their owners when moving to a new home. Focus on things most important to you, like your furry friend, and let Capital Movers handle the rest. Contact us today to request a free residential moving quote!