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Helpful Tips For Moving With Your Pet
Packing up and moving the family into your new home can be a stressful experience. You need to coordinate movers (or friends and pizza delivery), get the kids ready for a new neighborhood, get your financing in order, and more. As stressful as this might seem for you, it is a stressful time for your four-legged family members. Our pets are so in tune with our lives; they are sure to sense the change in the air. Here are a few tips to help you manage the home transition for your dogs and cats.
Check Local Laws & Regulations
First and foremost, check your new town's ordinances to make sure you are up to code and your pet won't be a problem. Different cities may require different vaccinations, have different leash standards, or restrictions on certain breeds. If you're moving into a planned community or condo, check with your HOA to make sure you are starting on the right foot in your new community.
Most cities and towns require you to register your pet. Check ahead of time for any fees and paperwork you need to send in. If your pet manages to escape in the first few days, the last thing you want is for them to end up in the pound because of an oversight.
Update Contact Information
As moving day approaches update all of the contact information associated with your pet. Update collar tags with the new address. If your pet is microchipped, sign in to your account and update the address and phone number. You don't want your pet to get out in a new, unfamiliar environment and not returned to you immediately.
Take in the Smells and Sounds
In the weeks leading into your move, take Fido to the new area and do a couple of laps around the block. Let them take their time taking in the new smells, listening to the neighbors, and getting a sense of the new environment. The more you get them accustomed to their new home now, the smoother the transition will be when this is their permanent home.
Check Your New Home for Escape Opportunities
Take an in-depth look at your house and property before all of your stuff makes it into the new house. Check for escape opportunities for your feline friend and plug them up before she finds them first. Spotting problem spots will be easier when the house is empty than when it's covered in boxes and furniture. Walk along the fence to see if there are any weak spots where your dog can get loose. They will be curious to explore their new town and will surely take advantage of a small hole in the fence.
Get into a Routine ASAP
Dogs love routine, from a daily walk to eating on time, they are creatures of habit. Cats also enjoy their routine and are very territorial. Bringing in 50 boxes a few days before moving is going to flip their world upside down, raise their anxiety level, and become another thing you need to worry about as you move.
Once you're in the new house, fall back into your familiar routine ASAP. It is easy to let pet care fall behind when you have so much else going on, but taking steps to make them feel comfortable will save you headaches down the road. Put food out at the same time, stick to your morning or evening walks, and give your pet lots of attention. They have no idea what just happened are probably overwhelmed with all of the new sights, sounds, and smells.
Limit Their New Territory
Dogs and cats might get overwhelmed with full access to the new home. Start small by limiting them to a room or two. Unload all of their toys, beds, and a familiar blanket that smells like the old house in their designated space. This will help comfort them as they adjust. Don't forget about them either - make sure to visit them in their room until you are ready to open up the rest of the house.
Keep Them Out of the Way on Moving Day
On moving day, take your pets to a friend's house, daycare, or a kennel. You want to keep them out of your hair with so much going on. If that isn't an option, then make sure to use a carrier or crate to keep them safely out of the way. If it's been a while since your pets used a crate or carrier, give them some time to get used to them in the month leading into the move. Leave the door open with their favorite blanket and a few treats inside. Let them get accustomed to the space on their terms so they don't freak out on moving day.
Keep their things in a separate box and unpack them first as soon as you get into the new house. This will help relieve their stress while you get to work on your boxes.
Moving day can be stressful, but planning ahead will reduce anxiety for you and your four-legged family members. Taking the time to keep them comfortable will make the adjustment to the new house much more manageable.
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