If you are a family with furry members, you’ll have to think about them too in a move. Caring for pets during a move can be challenging because they also need a transition to their new life and land. But, if you’re a pet owner, you know just how much you love your animals, so don’t forget these important family members when moving day arrives!
Our furry and feathered friends take comfort in routines, and moving is the ultimate shake-up. If you have kids, it’s going to be a similar process for them as well. Also, consider hiring a moving company to do the packing to take some pressure off in other areas to be more attentive to our furry friends and kids.
Luckily, we have several steps you can take to ensure that your pet weathers the upheaval of moving as smoothly as possible.
- Talk to your veterinarian about any health concerns and ensure all vaccinations are up to date.
- Update your pet’s ID tags with your new address and phone number.
- If you’re moving long-distance, find out if there are any quarantine requirements at your destination.
- Get your pet acclimated to their carrier well in advance of moving day. This will make it easier on them when it’s time to travel.
- On moving day, keep your pet in a quiet room with their favorite toys and plenty of food and water. This will help to reduce their stress level.
- If you’re traveling by car, make sure to take frequent breaks so your pet can stretch its legs and use the restroom.
- When you arrive at your new home, give your pet a chance to explore their new surroundings and get comfortable in their new environment.
Following these suggestions will help to make the moving process easier on your pet and less stressful for you. So, don’t forget about your furry friends when planning your move, and be sure to take care of them during this big transition!
Moving with pets tips
Already we can see that there will be much to consider when moving with your pets (and all that comes with them!). So here are some more suggestions to consider:
- Get your pet used to packing supplies and boxes.
- Avoid changing your routine to reduce stress on your pet.
- Keep your pets entertained.
- Keep a comfortable, secluded space for your pet.
- Inform yourself of new pet laws if you’re moving to a new city.
- If you’re moving across the state, make sure you plan pet-friendly accommodations.
- Secure your pet and make sure they stay close to keep them safe.
- Pack a separate emergency moving bag for your pet.
- Prepare your pet for a safe move in your vehicle.
- Pet-proof your new home before your pet arrives.
Furthermore, once you’ve decided on your lodgings for the lengthy relocation, make certain that your pet will have the ability to come with you. Many well-known booking sites allow users to restrict their search results solely to pet-friendly establishments, yet don’t take it for granted all pets are welcome. Do your research ahead of time!
Once you’ve made it to the end of your journey and are ready to begin unpacking in your new home, keep the following in mind:
- Introduce your pet to their new environment gradually, don’t overstimulate them!
- Make sure all food and water dishes are placed in accessible areas
- Give your pet plenty of love and attention during this time
Do dogs have a hard time adjusting to moving?
Most dogs relax within a few days, but some immediately enjoy the adventure of exploring their new home with all its new smells, while others take weeks to adjust. If the routines in your new home are different from your previous one, it may take longer to settle in.
Fortunately, my dogs adjust very well as long as I am with them! In fact, I teach them “stay home,” which means where I am, they stay. Basically, wherever I am, is “home.” Of course, I don’t leave them unattended or unleashed in a crowd or a public place. But they love when I take them into the woods to explore the trails, “leash free.” Hence why I think they have not had too much trouble adjusting to new surroundings.
How long does it take a dog to adjust to a new home after moving?
I once dated a guy who had a roommate that had a cat. Her name was Simone. She was a cool cat (no pun intended, ha-ha) because she was more like a dog. She would actually go outside to the bathroom with the dogs! When the roommate moved out, he took Simone with him. Sadly, she did NOT adjust well to her new home as he did not take the necessary steps to help her transition well. Apparently, cats have the most challenging time adjusting to new living quarters.
Again, the adjustment timing depends on your furry friends’ personality, age, breed, you, the new smells, etc. But no matter how long it takes your dog to adjust, your patience is more likely to speed things up than impatience ever could.
That “boyfriend” turned “husband” and is now my ex-husband because he rarely spoke kindly to our fur babies (well, one of the reasons). I’m not sure he knows that animals understand “excuse me”? In my home, we say excuse me to get by them and bless you when they sneeze. They are very in tune with their “people’s” emotions, and remembering that will help them immensely in transitioning homes.
Moving an old dog to a new home
After that boyfriend and I eventually married, we took our two dogs to a new rental home, and a little over a year later, we bought a house and had to move our two older dogs once again. It’s a beautiful large, fenced yard, perfect for dogs (and the kids that came later).
I remember when we first brought them there, it was like I knew this would be their “retirement” home as they were eight years old and were big dogs. They immediately adjusted and claimed their yard and home as their own. They did end up living their last years there and never had a problem. However, that is not every dog’s story. Here are some tips to help transition that old furry friend into their new place:
- Keep up regular routines and schedules (try not to get lax about walks or play times)
- Set up a new comfortable space just for your dog
- Keep familiar furniture for now
- Don’t have visitors over right away; let them “claim” their territory first
- Be patient and understanding
Caring for pets during a move
In conclusion, when caring for pets during a move, remember it is best to try and keep up with their regular routines, give them a comfortable space of their own, and be patient as they adjust to their new surroundings. With some time and understanding, your pets will soon feel right at home in their new home.