As stressful as moving can be for pet owners, that anxiety often isn’t limited to you, but trickles down to your fur babies as well. Take a look at these 7 tips to make your upcoming move as stress-free as possible for you and your pets.
- Have A Day One Bag: Just like its important to have your first day bag, also make sure that you have one packed for your pets! Make sure that you have a bag set aside with items such as: food, a bed, litter box and a few toys. Having these items set aside will make it so that once you get into your new home, you can make it feel like home for your pet as quickly as possible.
- Involve Your Vet In The Process: Before your move, schedule a check up with your vet. Not only is it a great opportunity to make sure your pet is in perfect health, but also be sure to get your pet’s current records. Use the face time with your vet to ask for recommendations on a new vet in your new location. Even if your vet doesn’t know someone where you are moving, often times he/she will have things to look out for when you are researching a new veterinarian.
- Move Your Pets Away From the Move: Make your move easier and have a plan for your pet while the actual move is taking place. Whether it’s setting up a play date at a friend’s house or taking advantage of doggie daycare, save yourself some extra hassle and make alternate plans for moving day.
- Bring Your Pet In Your Car: Change is hard on us all, but it can be especially hard on pets. Whether you have movers or not, make sure that your pet is with you in your car and not in the moving truck. This little touch of familiarity will help bring your pet some much needed calm during your moving process.
- Set Up A Space: Once you have your furniture moved in, set aside a room and get your pet’s bed, toys, water and food set up. This will make your new home feel like home for your pet in no time! Also, consider confining them in the room you set up. While you are still brining boxes in and out, you wouldn’t want your pet to have stress accidents or, even worse, get out into your new neighborhood.
- Don’t Let Your Pet Out Until You Arrive: It sounds simple, but make sure you don’t let your pet out and about until you arrive and have a set up ready for him/her. No matter how obedient your furry friend is in normal circumstances, make sure to account for the disorienting effect that moving to a new home and neighborhood can have on your pet. Don’t dampen your excitement on moving day by having to spend part of it on searching your new neighborhood for your best friend.
- Update Your Pet’s Information: As important as it is for you to update things like your driver’s license and mailing address, make sure you remember to do the same for your pet! Update his/her name tag and take your pet records over to your new vet to make sure you are fully prepared for any emergencies that could arise in your new home. Once you have your pet’s information updated, do yourself a favor and take him/her on a long walk of the neighborhood. Not only will this bring you and your pet familiarity to your new area, but it will also help your neighbors associate you with your pet.