Tips for Moving with Pets
If you are in the process of moving into a new home, you are most likely experiencing a number of mixed feelings. As it seems there is always so much to do leading up to moving day, along with the excitement of moving, life may seem very stressful for weeks – or months. Amongst all your own concerns, you should spend a few moments imagining how your pets might feel during this time. They might sense your anxiety and are aware of their changing environment. Likewise, they may spend much of their time inside your home and soon they will not be able to recognize their surroundings. They might be confined in a car or an airplane for an entire day, or more.
While moving into a new home can be difficult on your pets, there are a number of things you can do to make your entire family’s life easier. Here are a number of tips to help you move with your pets, safely and happily.
Make a checklist
Before moving with your pets, take a few minutes to consider what your animals might need during the stressful moving process. Start with this sample travel list for all types of pets and add or subtract to meet your pets’ needs:
- Extra medications if you are moving out of the area
- Beds, pillows and liners for your pet carriers
- Plastic scoops and bags for your dogs
- A 2-3 week supply of your pets’ usual food (in case you have difficulty finding the food immediately after moving)
- Several gallons of water from your old home (some veterinarians believe that changing a pet’s water abruptly can cause confusion and upset stomachs)
- Travel-friendly food and water bowls
- Leashes for cats and dogs
- Litter box
- Cage covers for birds and rabbits
- Paper towels
- Toys
Visit the vet
In the weeks before moving, you might want to visit your pet’s veterinarian. If you are moving out of the area, you can request a copy of veterinary records and obtain rabies and health certificates (these may be required for your pet, depending on where you move). The final visit to the vet before moving is also a good time to catch up on vaccinations and ask for recommendations of clinics near your new home. Lastly, if your pet is old or experiencing health problems, you may be able to obtain a mild sedative for your animal to aid in the rigors of car or airplane travel.
Take your time on the road
If you are traveling to your new home by car, it is recommended that you keep your pets in carriers. The carriers should be large enough to comfortably house your pets, bowls for food and water and a small litter box for cats. While you should stop periodically to let all of your pets stretch their legs and do their business, large dogs should be let out about every two hours.
Keep familiar items nearby
As your pets may become disoriented by their new surroundings, you should surround your animals with familiar items to help ease the transition. While you are traveling, keep a few toys and a favorite blanket handy. As you begin unpacking in your new home, you may want to keep your pets in their carriers with their toys until you have a chance to organize their space.
Create a room for your pets
When you arrive in your new home, you should try to designate one room for your pets. As you unpack, you should leave your pets in the room with their carriers – doors open – until they have a chance to adapt. You can also place their food and water bowls, blankets, toys and furniture in their room to help them feel at home. If necessary, you can also begin your big move by creating a pet room in your old home – a trick which could help pets behave on the road. In both cases, you will be able to organize your belongings while your pets make themselves comfortable.
Adjust to the outdoors
After settling into your new home, you should try to keep all cats and dogs on leashes when outside. Dogs typically adapt to their surroundings – especially outdoors – within a few days, while cats might need a few extra days.
Maintain your pets’ routine
Though the process of moving might throw off your own routine, it is important for pets to stay on schedule. Throughout the entire moving process, try to make sure that your pets are fed and walked at regular times. Like many of the other tips mentioned here, staying on your pets’ schedule can ease a lot of discomfort on moving day. In the end, the key to moving with pets lies simply in being aware of all of their needs. As most pet owners probably do this already, following a few of these tips to make your pets extra comfortable can help them transition into their new home.
The staff at Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC writes select articles about important topics related to real estate. For more information about buying a home or selling your current property, visit ColdwellBanker.com today.