Moving to a new home can be quite a delightful experience, especially when it comes to finally settling down. Regardless if this is a new apartment or an actual home, that breath of satisfaction you take after a successful move can be a great feeling. But if you have a pet tagging along, you might find yourself a bit tense as to how exactly you can make your move comfortable enough for them. Thankfully, animal transport doesn’t have to be stressful; follow these simple steps and you and your four-legged friend can enjoy the new experience together.
Health is wealth, so don’t forget a trip to the vet
When you’re going for a move with your pet, don’t forget to contact your vet first. This is especially important if you’re moving to a faraway area. Aside from contacting your movers, make sure you get your pet a trip to the vet to get necessary medical advice. Take your pet’s records with you, as well as relevant prescription medication your pet will need throughout the trip and throughout your stay. You can also ask for a vet recommendation if they know a reliable veterinarian in the area.
If you’re moving to a faraway area, it’s best you ask for recommendations for good veterinary services there. If possible, you can schedule an appointment there so your pet’s new vet can give them a checkup and get them acquainted with your pet as well.
Avoid stressing your pet out
Whether or not you’ve hired moving companies, it helps to keep a sense of “routine” with your pet throughout the moving process. Try to leave them with a friend or a kennel for a day or two while you fix your stuff in preparation of the move. If you can’t leave them, keep them in a room that’s not being boxed up while you pack. Make sure it’s a safe space with a cool temperature with food and water and stuff to play with.
It’s important to not show your pet you’re moving home, as they are likely to become distressed and anxious. Instead, try to retain familiar parts of your pet’s routine, such as going out for a walk, eating and drinking schedules, and locations of places where they can pee and do their business. This at least gives them a sense of “routine” as you prepare to move with them.
Bring your pet in the vehicle with you when you move
Your pet will need a lot of attention during this unnerving process, especially during the actual ‘move’. Try to give them a taste of adventure as you move to your new home. Make sure they’re comfortable in their pet carrier, or even a kennel that’s adjusted to the back of the car. For extra comfort, you can put some of the seats down to set up a blanket for them to hang around in, so they won’t have to get stressed over a changing environment. This also lets them know you’re with them the entire time. If your pet is used to going out, you can secure them safely in the front seat or near you near you while you travel, so they can feel as though it’s just a usual trip outside with you.
Prepare your pet before moving
It’s important to prepare your pet for the move before you actually go to your new home. If your pet is the kind that loves travelling or car rides, try driving them to your new home a few times before the move to get them acquainted to the neighborhood. You can visit some of the neighbors, or even go to the nearby park to meet some of the other dogs in the neighborhood. This will help make them feel a little more familiar with their new home, even before you make the big transition.
You can also prepare and clean kennels and containers for your pet, especially if they’re big. This helps them have a comfortable time during the trip.
It’s also a good idea to pack their things early on, but leave some for them to play with during the trip. This helps them get acquainted and familiar with the idea of moving without stressing them out.
Move your home before moving your pet
Just like you need a sense of “routine” to help get acquainted with a new task or job, your pet needs to retain a “routine” to get acquainted with a new home. This means trying to set up as much as you can before you let your pet out and explore their new home. You can set up a new room for them first and slowly let them out so they can get more acquainted to their surroundings. Try to always give your pet attention and let them get familiar with both old and new objects such as blankets and toys as early as possible. This makes them feel right at home in their new, well, home.
If possible, try to plan where you’ll envisage where you’ll place your furniture before the move so you won’t take long to unpack. You can use the time you save to hang out with your pet more and make them more comfortable. We also recommend moving essential parts of your pet’s routine first, such as rags, blankets, toys – even their bed or kennel. This will allow them to have a sense of familiarity in an unknown location, and can make acquainting with the new home much easier.
Secure your essential pet documents
Aside from securing a new local vet, make sure to get your pet’s other information updated and modified once you’ve moved. Update their microchips and tags to your new phone number (if you have one) and new address, and even update their pet passport if they have one.
Final thoughts
With the above in mind, it’s most important that you keep a level head when moving with your pet. By taking a few easy measures, you can train them to get acquainted to the moving process without stressing them out. Remember to keep your pet comfortable and cozy throughout the trip, and don’t forget to treat them in the same way you’d treat a child when taking them to a trip. Try to get things sorted out very early, including their medicine and documents, and try establishing a schedule to fix your furniture without compromising their routine and comfort at home.
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