We know how stressful moving can be, but have you ever thought how stressful it can be for your pets? Moving them into a new home that they aren’t accustomed to can created anxiety and cause them not to act like themselves until they get settled in. That is why it is important to make sure you include your pets when you are planning for your move and to ensure they have everything they need, too. Here are 5 tips to help you when moving with pets.
Overnight Bag
They need an overnight bag just as much as you do. You need to make sure you have enough food for them to last a couple of days, their blankets (or whatever toys/items comfort them), their leashes, food bowls and whatever else necessity they might need during that transition period. This way you won’t be running out to get dog food because you didn’t pack any or can’t find it. For those first couple of nights they will need something familiar so they can try to keep as much of their routine as possible.
Moving Day
A good option for your pets on moving day is to have a pet sitter or a friend watch them. This way they aren’t running around under people’s feet, you don’t have to worry about them getting loose, and they aren’t stressed with all the movement and hustle and bustle of moving day. Once everything is settled and you can bring them back, make sure to bring them in your own car so they don’t think you are abandoning them and they have the familiarity of riding in the car that they are used to.
Creating Familiarity
It’s a good idea to try to unpack much of your furniture and belongings as possible before you bring your pet over. That way once they are brought into the house, they will recognize the familiar sights and smells and adjust more easily. Walk them around the house, take them out into the yard, and let them just explore and sniff it for themselves.
Extra Attention
Give them a lot of love and extra attention once you are in your new house. This will help comfort them and help them adjust to their new surroundings. Positive reinforcement is always key when you are trying to train or introduce new things to your pets. Take them on walks in your new neighborhood and play with them in the yard, so they can snoop around and investigate for themselves.
Up-to-Date Information
Before you move, make sure that your pets have their collars on with the proper information in case something were to happen and they got loose. This is a good time to have all of their tags and information updated anyways. Maybe even consider getting them a microchip, which is a much more reliable source for finding them as well as give you peace of mind. Also, if you are moving out of reach from your current veterinarian, then you will need to have their medical papers for when you find a new vet.
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Take the extra time and effort to ensure that you pets will have a smooth transition to your new home. By preparing their food, toys, and the home for a welcoming move-in, your pets will adjust to the place with little to no anxiety.
At West Coast Moving & Storage, we take the extra step to transition locals into their new homes through a safe and efficient moving and packing process. We specialize in local and long-distance moving services in addition to piano moving and storage facilities.