10 Moving Tips for Pet Owners
Moving is stressful for your pet, too.
Moving to a new home can be a stressful experience – the packing, the heavy lifting, the cleaning… but most of us don’t stop to think about how a move might affect our pet. What’s stressful to a human may actually be terrifying to an animal who doesn’t understand what’s going on or why. Below you’ll find a list of helpful tips to make your move easier on both you, and your pet.
Top 10 Pet Lover Moving Tips
- Spoil your pet during this stressful time.
Let them sleep in the bed, take them for walks, take time out to play and feed them their favorite food or treats. It will improve their spirits for the actual move day. Pets are often the last thing on people’s minds during a stressful move. The pets begin to feel unloved and neglected which can bring about more stress and bad behaviors. It is not uncommon for pets to refuse food and water while away from home or in a stressful Keep a close eye on their intake. Offer them special treats and their favorite foods to encourage them to eat. Try to take time every few hours during moving and travel to walk your pet, set out food and water, and try to get them to drink. If their appetite doesn’t improve, you should contact a vet. Some sedatives can cause your pets to become thirsty and if not addressed they become dehydrated. Make sure they have access to plenty of water. Keep a log of when and how much sedative you give. It will prevent you from double-dosing should you forget in all the chaos of moving.
- Try to keep to your normal schedule as much as possible.
Routines are very important, especially when so much else around them is changing. Feed and/or walk your pet at the same time that you would normally.
- Go into your new dwellings first before you bring your pet in.
If you don’t have anywhere to leave your pet or are traveling alone, keep your pet on a leash or in a carrier at first. Inspect your new home for anything that might be harmful, such as wet paint, sawdust, broken glass, or bare wires.
- Lay out familiar items, such as a favorite blanket, bed, or toys.
When you have familiar items that they associate with “home”, it will help them realize that this is their new home.
- Take time out to play with your pet.
Give them time to associate their new home as a positive place.
- Make sure that you update their ID tags.
If your pet is microchipped, make sure that information is changed as well. Since you are in a new place, it will be easier for your pet to get lost as they are in a new area.
- Verify that your new accommodations are pet-friendly.
This should have been done before you made the decision to move, but it never hurts to double-check. Verify that your apartment building, if you have one, is pet-friendly. While house hunting, look for a house with a backyard if you have a dog or a nearby park.
- Schedule boarding for your moving day.
Having boxes scattered, furniture in disarray and the family stressed also stresses your With people going in and out, your pets may escape. Even the most well-behaved pet may flee because of the stress. It is easy for a pet to get out unnoticed with all of the confusion. If the pet is very stressed they may resist coming to your call. Consider taking your pet to the kennel 2 days before and schedule the pick-up on departure day after the trucks are loaded and right before you leave. Since most people move on weekends and that’s when most people board their pets, you should schedule your boarding as soon as you know your moving day. Don’t wait until the last minute because you may be out of luck!
If you don’t board your pet, you should arrange for a closed-off room that will not have in and out foot traffic. Warn movers, family, and children to stay out of the room and not to open the door. Secure your pet at all times when doors, attics, and windows are open for moving.
- Go over your new yard very carefully.
Make sure it is dog or cat proof, there are no harmful items or chemicals, the gates close, the fence is secure and your pets can’t Your pet may be confused with the new surroundings. Have patience and understand this is a confusing time.
- For outdoor cats, keep them inside for a few nights until they get acclimatized.
Gradually allow them to spend more time outside. Enjoy your new home with your pet.
About Estate Property Movers
Estate Property Movers is a licensed and insured family-owned business. We have earned a reputation as a premier moving and storage company, committed to providing the highest quality of customer service. Estate Property Movers specializes in local and long distance moving, both residential and commercial. We also provide professional packing services, secure short and long term storage, and a variety of moving supplies. Whether you’re moving across the street, across town, or across the state, Estate Property Movers will be there from start to finish. We invite you to join our growing number of repeat and referral customers and see why Estate Property Movers is the top-rated moving and storage company.