We have 6 tips on what to do when moving with your pet. Moving is stressful not only for us but is also stressful for our furry friends. With a little bit of planning, you can ease their anxiety and ensure that the transition to the new home will be seamless. A great way to start planning is to have a good moving checklist
Change is scary for most pets and the following tips will help them and yourself with the move
Plan Ahead
Have a plan and stick to it. If you need to book a pet sitter, do it in advance. If you want your family member or friend to look after the pet, talk to them in advance. Whatever your plan is, make sure you get the ball rolling on it in good time. If you plan on having your pet in your home while moving is in progress, plan to have a designated room that is far from all the noise and commotion that comes with moving.
Ensure the room has things that are familiar to your pet so that the pet is comfortable. Constantly check up on your pet and reassure them to take away any anxiety they may have. Pets are smart and can sense anxiety in us, so it is important that you be calm and normal
Kennel Training
If your pet is not used to being in a kennel for travel, it is important that you start training them ahead of the move. Simple tricks like putting their favorite blanket in the kennel with treats always helps to get them comfortable with the kennel. The kennel will allow your pet to seek out a comfortable, quiet and safe place when the environment around them becomes overwhelming. It is an important tool in preventing your pet from getting stressed.
Once your pet gets comfortable with the kennel take them on a drive and start off with short drives until they get familiar with the noises associated with them being in a moving vehicle. No one wants to ride in a vehicle with a pet that is barking or meowing whether you are moving down the road or across the city. It will distract you and put your furry friend into discomfort. Start training them way ahead of time so that they are familiar with being in a kennel and noises associated with being in a vehicle
Do Your Research
Do your homework about the area your new home is located. Look for trails close by or parks which are pet friendly. Once you have all the information, familiarize your pet with the new area. This is especially important if you have a dog. You can start walking them in what will be their new neighborhood. This will help the dog to transition from old to new seamlessly. You will thank yourself for doing this
Keep Them In A Quiet Room
If you have opted to keep your pet at home on the day of the move ensure that you keep them in a quiet room with the door shut. For the safety of your pet and the movers, it is always encouraged to keep them away from the “action”. Have a room that is designated just for them and surround the room with things that are familiar to them. Pets can get freaked out by the sudden change, but you can help minimize the disruption by maintaining some level of familiarity. Check up on them constantly as this will help reassure and calm them down.
Make sure they have enough food and water. It is simply about making your pet comfortable. A comfortable pet is a less fussy pet. During the move, try to keep your routine as normal as possible, have someone walk the dog at their usual time
Pet Proof The New Home
Before you set your pet free to explore their new home, ensure that the new home is pet proofed. Tuck away or cover electrical cords to keep chewers away. You do not want your pet to chew through a cable and get jolted. Ensure that the HVAC floor vent will not pose a risk to your pets if they step on them. To be on the safe side you can put a cover on them. Add a gate if stairs are new to your pet. This will stop them from tumbling down. Once they become familiar with the stairs, the gate can come down.
If you are going to be getting plants for the new home, ensure all plants are non-toxic. Pets are usually very curious when it comes to new things, plants include. Be mindful of that and make sure that the plants in your new home are not only beautiful but are also pet friendly. Pets can always find ways to get into mouse or insect traps. If removing them is not an option, put them in hard to reach places away from your pet. For more tips on how to pet proof your home, visit your local animal specialist more tips
Overnight Bag
Make sure you have an overnight bag for your pet once you have moved to the new house. This bag will contain items that your pet is familiar with. The first few night will be the hardest so it is important that your pet is surrounded by a lot of familiar items that will keep it calm and give your pet comfort.
Be patient with your pet as they adjust to their new surroundings. Big change can be overwhelming so let them adjust one room at a time. Gradually they will get comfortable enough and start enjoying their new home
Let Us Help You Move
We hope that the tips above will help you on what to do when moving with a pet. At The Moving Company Inc, we understand that moving with a pet can get overwhelming. This is why we take the burden of moving away from you so that you can spend more time with your pet during the move and after the move. We take care of your moving needs so that you can take care of your pet. Reach out to our experienced team at info@themovingcompanyinc.com for a quick quote or call 604.493.2051 and let us plan your move