Moving can be a fun and exciting time. While getting to see new places and meet new people may be exciting for you, your pet may have a different opinion. Here are eight tips for pet owners when moving with your pets that will make the transition easier for you and them.
1. Prepare an Overnight kit
The first tip is to make sure that you prepare an overnight kit. This kit will need to be easily accessible no matter where you are. It will need to include plenty of dog food, kitty litter, favorite toys, treats, and grooming tools that you might need to sustain your pet during the move. You want to make sure that your pets are going to be comfortable during the first few days of the move while you are unpacking.
2. Get in Touch with Your Vet
The second tip is to make sure that you contact your pet’s vet, and inform them that you are moving. If you are moving out of the area, then you want to tell your vet so that you will be able to take any of their medical records and prescription medications with you. There is a chance that they might be able to recommend another vet who is in the area where you are going to be moving.
3. Keep Them Away From the Moving Action
The third tip is to ensure that you keep your pets away from any of the actions of moving. This means that you will need to keep them in the quietest area possible to help reduce the amount of stress that the animal is going to experience. It is recommended that you leave the pet with a friend or a kennel for a day or so. But if this cannot be done, then you will need to put them inside of an empty bedroom or on another floor. You can also put them inside of their carrier in the garage or car, but you are going to need to be careful to have a safe temperature.
4. Prep Your Vehicle
The fourth tip is to prepare your vehicle for the journey when taking your pet to their new home. This means that you will need to put them inside of their carrier in the back seat that will be secured with a seatbelt. Then if you have a bigger dog, they can be moved to a kennel in the back of the car. There is a chance that you might have to put the seats down. Some animals are going to feel more comfortable if you put a blanket over the carrier. If it’s a long drive to the new home, make sure to bring ample food and water that is easy for them to digest as travel may make them nervous.
5. Traveling with Your Pet to a New Home
The fifth tip on moving with your pets is to make sure that you keep an eye on them until you have reached your destination. This may sound like a no brainer, but if you stop at a rest stop, especially one that is new to your pet, they may get excited and runoff, leaving you to track them down in an unfamiliar area. Therefore, if you’re going to let them out, make sure to leash them or keep a firm hold on them – even if you have a well-behaved pet. If your pet goes outside, it may be a good idea to also drive around the new neighborhood with the pet in the car with the windows down to allow them to get familiar with the sites, smells, and sounds around their new home.
6. Moving into the New Home
The sixth tip is to keep the pet secluded. You must try to move the entire house before you move the pet. This means that you need to set up the house as much as you can, even if it is just in the room where the pet is going to be. This needs to be done before you introduce the pet to their new home. They may need to be confined to a section of the house while they are adjusting to their surroundings, and you’re unpacking. The pet will need plenty of attention at this time. You can introduce some objects that they are familiar with like their blankets or toys as soon as you can. This is an excellent way to help make sure their transition is as smooth as possible and that they feel they are at home.
7. Your Pet’s Information
The seventh tip is to update all of your pet’s information for their tags and their microchip. This should include your new address and phone number if it has changed.
8. Moving with Fish
The eighth tip is if you are moving to a new location with a fish. It is important to remember that fish could strongly respond to a move if they are stressed because it can be very traumatizing for them. There is a chance that it could be fatal for the fish. It is a good idea to transport them for a short distance in bags that are filled with the water from their old tank. If you have a small to a medium-sized aquarium, make sure to change the water at least a few days before the move, so they have a clean environment to live. If the aquarium is too big, you can also move your fish in new, clean five-gallon buckets.
Moving doesn’t have to be stressful for you or your pet as long as you prepare properly ahead of time. For more tips or if you have any other questions, feel free to contact one of our real estate specialists at Sheridan Solomon and Associates LLC in the Macon GA and Warner Robins GA area.