Think moving to a new home is stressful? Imagine how anxiety-inducing a relocation can be for your pet! Pets get stressed when their environment changes, and trying to tackle the moving process with a distressed pet can certainly be taxing for you, too.
Luckily, moving with pets doesn't have to be a chaotic and trying experience as long as you know how to plan for the process and deal with any challenges that may arise.
Below, we're sharing several helpful tips to help make your upcoming move with your animal friend as smooth as possible.
Visit Your Veterinarian
If you're moving outside your immediate area and need to find a new vet, contact your current veterinarian to ask for your pet's health records. And, if you really like your current vet, it's also a good idea to ask if he or she has any vet recommendations in your new area.
If your vet does have a recommendation and you trust that referral, you can have your vet transfer your pet's health records to the new office to save yourself the hassle.
Update Your Pet's Information
If your pet has a microchip, be sure to update your contact details in the microchip registry before you take off for your new home. You'll also want to have new ID tags made so they're ready to be swapped out when you arrive at your new location.
If, heaven forbid, your animal friend somehow gets lost during the move, you'll want to have your new home address listed as your pet's contact information.
Arrange for Pet Care on Moving Day
If possible, arrange for your pet to stay in a kennel or have a trusted friend or relative watch them on the day you're planning to move out of your current home. On move day, your professional movers and packers will be in and out constantly, for hours on end.
Neither they nor you need any little feet running around, complicating the process.
Separate Your Pet From the Commotion
If you can't find someone to watch your pet on the day of your move, keep your animal friend away from the commotion to help reduce their stress. If you have an empty bedroom that's fairly quiet and out of the way, that'll be the best place for your pet(s) to stay on move day.
Place a few familiar toys or blankets, their bed, food, and water in the room, and keep the door shut throughout the loading and unloading process. You don't want your pet(s) wandering around when you and your movers are working, as that creates a safety hazard for everyone — including your pet — involved.
Pack an Overnight Care Bag
When you're moving with a pet, you'll want to make sure you're fully prepared for the journey to your new home. The best way to do that is to pack a bag for your pet, much like you'd pack an overnight or essentials bag for the day of the trip and your first night in your new home.
A few staples you'll want to have readily available in your pet's overnight bag include:
- Plenty of food
- Collapsible water bowl and bottles of fresh water
- Pee pads (even if your pet is potty trained, keep these around just in case)
- A few towels and a pack of baby wipes (dirty paws!)
- Treats, toys, and chews (for entertainment on the road)
- A window shade for your vehicle if you don't have tinted windows
- Leash (if applicable) and potty bags (for bathroom pit stops in public places)
If you can think of anything else your pet needs daily or any other items that would make your pet feel more comfortable during the trip, toss those items in the bag, too. Change is stressful for your animal friend, so anything you can do to ease the transition to the new home will be well worth the extra effort.
Transporting Your Pet in Your Personal Vehicles
Your moving company cannot transport your pet, so you'll need to either relocate it in your personal vehicle or arrange alternate transportation for it.
If, for any reason, you cannot transport your pet in your personal vehicle, you can hire a dedicated pet transport company to get your animal friend to your new home safely.
- Dogs and cats may need to be in a carrier depending on their demeanor, a carrier may be helpful, but some may feel safer without.
- If you're transporting rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and gerbils, take any sharp items out of the cages and make sure they have lots of shade and ventilation. And if you don't have a safety carrier, place them on the floor behind the driver or passenger seat so it's less stressful for you both.
- Fish need to be placed in plastic bags use the water from their tanks, and leave lots of air in the space. You can also place them inside a styrofoam container to make sure the ride there is safer.
- If you're transporting snakes, keep a warm water bottle in or near their carrier to make sure that they can maintain internal body temperature.
- Birds should stay in their carrier and place a cover over it, however; remove any toys or perches if they have difficulty seeing in the dark. Keep them out of direct sunlight for extended periods, and make sure they have proper airflow for the duration of the trip.
Don't Change the Schedule
As the time approaches for moving, and even after you've done the move, do your best to keep your pet on a normal schedule.
Whether it's playtime, feeding, walks, or daily routines, consistency will help them stay happier and calmer during the process.
Have an Emergency Kit
Emergencies will happen, so make sure that you have everything you need in case something comes up, especially if the trip is cross-country. Aside from extra food and water, make sure you have the phone number for an emergency veterinarian at home and where you're moving to.
Keep these items in a designated area so you don't have to scramble through boxes trying to get the items or information.
Get Your New Home Ready for Them
Before bringing your pet to the new space, make sure it's ready for them. A few things we recommend doing include:
- Make sure you have an enclosed space if your pet likes to wander.
- Store any unsafe chemicals or materials they may have access to.
- Reinforce windows and doors with blocks or pet entrances.
- Cover up any small spaces or holes that your pet could get into and get stuck or harmed.
- Check all screens for holes.
- Set up a designated area for them with familiar items that they can have as a safe space until you are settled.
Need to Hire Professional Movers Near Tacoma?
Looking for a reputable moving company in the Tacoma or Seattle area? Look no further than Ed's Moving & Storage! We specialize in local, interstate, and international moving services and have proudly served the moving needs of thousands of customers since 1965.
To learn more about how we can help with your upcoming move, feel free to give us a call today at 253-581-2446 or request a quote online, and we'll get in touch!