6 Essential Tips for Moving with Your Pet

Now that you've bought the house of your dreams, it's finally time to move in. But there's the matter of getting your pet from point A to point B without causing either of you any unnecessary stress. As a pet owner, you may be thinking about making your move as easy and stress-free as possible for your dog or cat.Understandably, your furry friend would be anxious and fearful in an unfamiliar setting. Most of us consider our pets to be family members, so moving them safely and comfortably while stressing them out as little as possible is a top responsibility. Here are our top six tips to make moving with your pet stress-free and safe.

1 Bring in the boxes

Packing materials are a favorite toy of many pets. An empty box or some torn-up tissue paper provides limitless entertainment. But beware - they can also be a hazard for your pet. A part of being a responsible pet owner is making sure your pets don't come across anything dangerous. So keep that wrapping paper and plastic bags away from your pet! When moving day approaches and the packing begins, your pets might be interested in chewing on your moving materials and boxes. That's why it's helpful to condition your pets ahead of time to minimize interruptions and box attacks. Early packing will help your pets adjust to having boxes nearby. Therefore, several weeks before your move, begin stocking up on boxes if you have the space. Leave the cartons containing the less often used products open. Initially, your pets may be intrigued, but they won't give them a second glance in the future. 

2 Create a safe room

Constrict your pet to a single room on the day of the move. When large objects are being moved, this will keep them out of harm's way, preventing them from inflicting injury to themselves or others. It's a good idea to keep your pet in one room for some time after you get to the new place so that they can get used to the new smells. Make sure they have food and water, their bed, and a few toys from home, as they will all help them feel more at ease. 

If you're going through a long-distance move, you might have even more planning ahead. You might need time to prepare and organize your move, especially when moving with pets. Have a close relative or somebody your pet knows to take them out of the house while the ruckus blows over. This will save them from the unnecessary stress of the packing period, and it will keep you from worrying about how your pet is doing when you should be packing your boxes.

3 Use your pet’s belongings to your advantage when moving with your pet

When moving into a new house, the first thing you should do is unpack your pet's belongings. Use their toys and cuddle dog beds to leave their scent around the house because new houses might smell very different. You should also try to keep the previous layout of your home if you can. For example, you may want to keep the toy box adjacent to the television if that's where the toy box was in the previous home. If there are scents from your old house that your pet particularly enjoys, try to bring them over to your new one as much as possible.

4 Pet-proof your new home

Moving with your pet to a new location might pose some dangers for them. Make sure your pets are safe in their new home by following these pet-proofing tips:

• Secure all screens, windows, gates, and doors.
• Ensure that your pet cannot squeeze through or jump over the railings if you have a balcony.
• Examine all openings in your yard's fences for possible escape routes.
• Keep the toilet lids closed.
• Make sure there aren't any pest control traps or poisons left behind.
• To keep your pet safe, inspect your backyard and remove or isolate any plants that pose a danger.

Also, keep in mind that pets are more likely to chew if they are stressed or fearful of something. Supply them with plenty of chew toys to keep them from nibbling on hazardous items like the power cords or furniture. To minimize your pet's risk of getting into something harmful, do your best to keep your space clean and clutter-free.

5 Pay a visit to the vet before moving with your pet

During the stressful time of relocating with your pet, we usually forget to take care of some of our pets' needs. Things like paw and dental hygiene can be overlooked, but also, many of us undervalue the importance of vets in the moving process. Vets are a great source of information on keeping your pets healthy and reducing your pet's degree of anxiety during a stressful situation like relocation.

It's a good idea to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian a few weeks before your relocation to get all the necessary information and certificates on vaccinations. Also, if you go to the vet on time, you can avoid an emergency visit during the busy months of moving by making sure your pet is healthy and loaded up on prescriptions. If you're moving out of town and need to find a new veterinarian for your pet, request a copy of their medical records and files. You can also consult your veterinarian for a referral to a different vet in your new neighborhood if you haven't located one yet. Also, if you're moving out of state, you must check with your vet about additional testing or vaccines, as these might vary from state to state.

6 Stick to a routine

Try to stick to your pet's routine, even if it's complicated. Your pet's usual routine will aid in adjusting to the new home. If you're leaving your pet with a relative or a pet sitter, make sure to discuss and share your pet's schedule with them to adhere to it as closely as possible. The goal here is to reduce the stress of moving with your pet for both you and your furry pal.

Final words

Moving with your pet can be a challenging task because we all want to keep our furry friends as safe and stress-free as possible. By following these six tips, you can make sure your move goes smoothly for both of you. Happy moving!

✍🏼 Natalie Taylor