Keeping your pet’s routine as similar to the old one as possible can make them feel at home during and after the move. Also, make sure their crate or carrier is comfortable and that they’re familiar with it.
Consider hiring a pet transportation company that offers door-to-door service. This can be helpful if you’re moving far away.
Prepare Ahead of Time
One of the most important things you can do to prepare for your move is to create a moving checklist. This will help you stay organized and ensure that no important tasks are overlooked. This checklist should include everything you need to do before, during, and after your move, including hiring movers or renting a truck, changing your address, and informing utility companies of your change of address.
Other essential moving tips include decluttering your home before the move, labeling boxes with their contents and room locations, and acquiring proper packing supplies. You should also consider hiring a cleaning service and making travel arrangements for yourself and your pets, if necessary.
It’s also a good idea to have some cash on hand for the day of your move. This way, you’ll be able to pay for any necessary services and avoid having to worry about credit card debt after your move.
Another important step in preparing for your move is informing your healthcare providers and school districts of your new address. This will ensure that your medical records and children’s school documents are forwarded to the correct location. The night before your move, tuck everyday essentials, such as a change of clothes, toothbrushes, must-have stuffed animals or toys for the kids, medications, and more, into a suitcase or bag that you’ll keep with you throughout your move.
Create a Safe Haven
When moving, you may want to consider leaving your pet with a trusted friend or boarding them for the day of the move. This could help ease their anxiety and allow them to become accustomed to the new environment before they are left alone. However, if this is not possible or isn’t an option, make sure to keep your pets in a safe place away from boxes and other commotion. It is also important to check your new apartment or house’s pet policies to ensure that your pet will be allowed and under what conditions.
If you are traveling with your pet in a car, try to give them as much space as possible so they can rest comfortably and not feel cramped. You can also add a bed or blanket to their crate and a few of their favorite toys, which can be comforting to them during travel. You can even entice them to enter their crate by offering treats!
Before you pack up your home, set up a room in the new home as their “safe haven” where they will be kept during the transition. This room should contain their bed, favorite toys, food and water bowls, litter box (if cat), medicine, and some other belongings. This way they can get familiar with their surroundings before you start unpacking.
Keep Your Pet’s Essentials in a Bag
When moving day rolls around, keep your pets away from the chaos and noise of movers and other people in and out of your home. You might want to confine them to a room with a door that can be closed during move-out and move-in, as this will help reduce their stress levels. Alternatively, try slowly getting them acclimated to their crates in advance of the big move by feeding them in crates with the doors shut or carrying them around the house in crates while offering treats and playtime at the end of crate time.
As soon as you settle into your new home, it’s important that you establish one room as your pet’s “home base.” This should contain all their essentials including water bowls and toys, a blanket, food, treats, kitty litter, etc. Keeping all their essentials in one room will help them feel safe and secure and also prevent them from being tempted by those pesky empty boxes and other packing materials that they tend to love to play with.
Be sure to visit your vet prior to your move, especially if you’re moving to a different state or country. Your vet can help you with everything from requesting your pet’s medical records to ensuring all required vaccinations and requirements are met.
Reestablish Routine
Pets are prone to sensing change, which can put them on edge during a move. Even something as small as you getting boxes out can trigger anxiety. To help prevent this, start getting boxes out a few weeks before your move and place them around your home without making any big deal about them. This can give your pets time to get used to them before moving day.
During the actual move, try to keep your pets away from the chaos. It’s best to have a friend, family member or kennel keep your pets during this time. However, if this isn’t possible then make sure your pets are kept in a safe space with their favorite blanket and toys to keep them happy.
On the day of your move, if you’re using a pet transport company, make sure to ask about their specific requirements. From crate size to food and water allowances, this information will be important for planning ahead.
Finally, update your pet’s microchip information with your new address before you leave for your move. This can help you reunite with your pet if they happen to get lost during the move or during unpacking. This is especially important if you’re traveling long distances with your pet.
