Tips for Moving with Pets

They may not be able to tell you but when you move with pets your little furry friends are just as nervous and anxious as you are. When you think about it they are probably more nervous as to what is happening because they have no idea what is going on. All that they do know is that the world they have always known –your house- is rapidly emptying and they are being shifted into a new and scary environment. But there are a few things that you can do to make this new transition as smooth as possible.

Follow these tips when moving your pets and they will surely thank you:

• Secure your pets: All pets should be crated when you are moving them, especially if it is a long distance move. Make sure that the crate is a well ventilated one and that you put in your dog or cat’s favorite toys so that they feel more comfortable. You can also put in their favorite blanket should they have one. Never leave the crate loose in the vehicle and treat your pet as though it were a child and be sure to use the seat belt and buckle the crate in.

• Update tags: Make sure that your pet has an updated tag for its collar before you move. If your pet doesn’t usually wear its collar they need to for the move. The new tag should have all the information of where you are moving too and not where you are moving from. This way if an anxious pet takes off once you arrive they are more likely to be returned safely to you.

• Prepare your new home: Before your pet ever steps one paw in your new home you should have the home prepared for your pet’s arrival. For a dog, prepare a bed and a play area and for a cat place the litter box where you want it to be and introduce the feline to it as soon as you arrive. Show your pet where it’s food and water dish are and have a little something in the bowl. This makes the move much easier on the pet as the animal comes into a new environment but does so with many familiar things.

• Keep your pet out of the action: On moving day, keep your pet in a quiet room and close the door. Any place that will not have any traffic and as little commotion as possible is best. If you pet has a familiar bedding, place it in the room with the animal to make it feel more cozy.

• Show lots of love: When you move with a pet, remember they may think you are going to leave them behind. Show them a little bit of extra love and reassure them that they too get to go to the new home. Though you may be stressed out trying to move, make sure it doesn’t come out in your voice as a pet will key right in on this and become stressed itself.

Remember, your furry friends have feelings too and it is very important to take those feelings into consideration when you are moving with pets.

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