Tips for Moving with Pets

August 15th, 2018

The moving process is stressful and overwhelming. Pets especially tend to get easily stressed when there is unexpected activity in their home with unfamiliar people.

Here are some tips that will make moving with pets a little easier:

1) Prepare an Overnight Bag

It’s a good idea to pack an overnight bag of essentials for yourself for the first couple of nights, just in case something happens during the move. It’s a good idea for you to do the same for your beloved pet – make sure you have the things that are mission critical for their wellbeing.

Make sure there is enough food, litter, toys, grooming tools, etc. to keep your pet comfortable after the move and for the first couple of days when you’re still getting settled. Rushing to the store to get last minute necessities will only add to an already stressful day.

2) Contact Your Vet

You should absolutely inform your veterinarian before you move! Just like you would update your doctor and dentist with your new address, you should contact your veterinarian before you move so they are aware that your pets will also be undergoing a move.

Your vet may recommend a trusted vet that’s closer to your new location and may be able to give you any records or prescriptions your pet may need. Your vet may also recommend a vet close to your new area.

3) Isolate Your Pets

Moving boxes and keeping things organized is already very stressful – don’t add to the stress by having small animals underfoot. Give yourself and movers room to pack and organize your boxes by keeping your pet in a separate, quiet room.

Having strangers come into their home will naturally stress them out, and they are sensitive to emotions. Give yourself and your movers room by keeping your pet in a separate room that is as quiet as possible. We recommend having your pets stay at a friend’s house for a day or two.

4) Pets Go in Your Car

It seems like common sense, but make sure your pets ride with you, and not in the moving truck. A suitably-sized traveling carrier can be placed in the back seat, or even your lap when you travel to your new address.

5) Don’t Let Your Pet Out

Depending on the distance of your move, you may need to stop for a meal break or to stretch. If you decide to let your pet out to stretch as well, make sure to keep a close eye on them. Animals under stress do unpredictable things (like run away), and you don’t want to add more stress to your move.

A new location may be stressful, and it is recommended that you keep your pet in their carrier until they reach their ultimate destination.

6) Keep Your Pet Secluded

“Move the house before you move the pet.”

Your pet doesn’t understand that they are now living in a new location. It will be a new completely new environment, with new smells and sounds and can be overwhelming to them. Make sure you have unpacked a small room with items they are used to seeing and smelling and keep them in there for a day or two. Slowly acclimate them to their new surroundings and help them feel comfortable.

7) Update Their Information

After you’ve settled into your new home, update your pet’s information as you would with your own – update their tags and microchips with your new address and phone number, and find the fastest route to the veterinarians.