Smoothing The Transition: Tips on Moving With Your Pet

Are you planning on moving soon? 

Moving is stressful and exhausting, no matter how well-planned it is. Something always seems to go wrong! Moving with pets can be doubly exhausting if not done right. Some pets may get anxious while moving. 

After all, they don’t know what’s going on! 

In this blog post, we will go through some expert tips on moving with your pet so that you are ready for anything and everything. 

Let’s get started!

Here are Our Tips on Moving With Your Pet!

You don’t realize how much stuff you have until you move. The entire process is so cumbersome that you wonder why you didn’t embrace the minimalist lifestyle so that you didn’t have to deal with all the packing, loading, and unloading.

Moving with pets is a challenge in itself. 

Some pets are intuitive and able to sense that there’s a change coming and start acting clingy and anxious days before you’re set to move.

Let’s take a look at some tips on moving with your pet. 

Plan Ahead 

Being organized and planning is always making the moving process less intimidating–no matter how much stuff you have! Make sure that you stick to your pet’s usual schedule and routine and pack his things on the last day. 

Some pets can sense a change is coming and find comfort in their routine.

Create an Overnight Kit 

Unpacking is a hassle. 

The last thing you would want to do after having moved all of your stuff is to unpack it! It is easier to make an overnight bag that contains things like food bowls, food, brush, litter tray, litter, collar, harness, etc. so that you everything your furry friend needs accessible to you. 

Visit Your Vet 

If you’re moving away from your area, contact your vet to get a copy of your furry friend’s medical documents. Refill the prescription medications why=ile you’re at it–it’s always good to be prepared. 

Keep Your Pet in a Quiet Area

When you’re packing and moving boxes, keep your pet as far away from the commotion as possible. This will help keep his anxiety in check. Taking your pet to a day boarding facility may also be a great idea. If you have your pet at home, check-in on him regularly, and make sure he has enough food and water. 

The Roadtrip 

Depending on how far you’re moving, you’ll reach your destination by either a plane or a car. Let’s take a look at how to handle long rides with your pet: 

  • Make sure your pet is happy and comfortable in his crate. You should try to gradually assimilate your furry friend to the crate so that he finds it comforting rather than stressful 
  • Label the crate appropriately and include the “Live Animal” tag if necessary 
  • If you’re taking a flight, make sure your pet’s crate is TSA-approved 
  • Take your furry friend to the bathroom before getting in the car or on the flight. I recommend lining the insides of the crate with a puppy pee pad in case your pet has an accident–this keeps the mess to a minimum 
  • Make sure your pet has regular access to fresh food and water. In the case of shorter journeys, you can give your furry friend treats instead of food 
  • Make sure your furry friend has his favorite blanket and toys around to play with 
  • Keep things like a harness, leash, food bowls, water, etc. handy in case you need it. Also, keep your pet’s medical documents with you at all times

Settling in the New Home 

Some pets take only a few minutes to settle into their new homes, while others take weeks or even months. Help him get comfortable with the new surroundings by letting him explore the new space. Create a “safe space” for him to retreat to. 

If you’re moving with children, sending your pet to a day boarding facility may be helpful. Many parents with young children–especially toddlers–opt for it.  

Once you’ve unpacked, explore the new area and take your furry friend along with you! Try to find a vet as soon as possible–you never know when a medical emergency strikes. 

Stick to the Old Schedule 

Your furry friend will find comfort in his schedule when you’ve moved to a new home. Feed him on time, take him out for his walks as you did before. Make sure that the things around him remain the same as before–his bed, toys, food bowls, etc.In Conclusion: Moving With Your Furry Friend 

Did these tips help ease your anxiety? 

Moving in itself is a very stressful task. Moving with your furry friend can be a frustrating experience for both of you, but it doesn’t have to be when you know what to expect. In this article, we went through some of our top tips on moving with your pet. 

We hope that this article helped you and your furry friend stay calm and collected. 

Do you have any questions or concerns? Leave them in the comments, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!