Moving When You Have a Pet, What Should You Think About?

When it comes time to move, many pet owners feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to best handle their beloved animals. Pets can often sense when something is changing and may become agitated or anxious. Here are a few tips on how to best move with your pets.

Step zero: plan ahead

The most important thing you can do when you're moving with a pet is to plan meticulously. You'll need to make arrangements for your pet's care while you're packing and moving, and you'll also need to figure out how your pet will travel.

If you're flying, check with the airline about their policies for transporting pets. There's a lot to think about so if you came across this early, consider yourself lucky.

Whether you call your pet your fur baby, your furry friend, or just by their name, planning properly will help your pet adjust quickly to its new environment.

Ask about any rules or regulations on owning pets in the new area.

Before you move in, there are critical questions that need to be answered. From local laws to things that can greatly affect your dog's routine. Your residence, if it's an apartment, is required to give you information like if they only allow certain breeds of dogs, cats, etc., how many animals per household are allowed, and what type of leash law enforcement exists.

You can even ask if they can give you a list of local veterinarians and groomers to contact. You'll want to have a referral or two in your pocket just in case your first choice isn't open on the day of the move.

Get a carrier for your pet

Depending on the size and temperament of your pet, you might be able to get by with a carrier or crate. Or if you're flying with your pet, you'll need an airline-approved carrier that meets their specifications.

Make sure you do your research well ahead of time so that you can gauge and plan according to your dog's anxiety.

Getting a new carrier can help make your pet feel more comfortable while they adjust to a new home. Put down their favourite blankets or favourite toys in the carrier to help them stay calm.

Whether you're flying or driving, there will be a lot of mental stimulation and that be distressing but before you even get to the point of needing the carrier, here are some things you can do to have a stress-free move with your pet.

Find a good vet in the new area

Whether you're dog parents, a cat dad, or an iguana uncle (we had to find a third thing), finding a good vet is an essential part of a great pet transition.

It's normal for your pet's anxiety to spike and in the first few weeks that can manifest as destructive behaviour or excessive tiredness.

A quick trip to the vet should be one of your highest priorities, and luckily your pet won't know the route yet and the separation anxiety will keep them glued to you.

Knowing where to take your dog or cat if you're worried about their health will help calm you down on the way to the vet's office.

Check out the neighbourhood and make sure there is enough space for your pet to roam around outside.

This is very important for outdoorsy dogs so that they can adjust. A long walk can do wonders to keep a dog calm.

Try to get an idea of the leash laws in your new neighbourhood and where the off-leash areas are in your new neighbourhood so that your dog can create a positive association with their new setting as soon as possible.

Remember that you're each other's trusted friend and that it's important to spend time together so that you both get your heads wrapped around the new routine.

Give your pet some extra attention before the move to help them adjust to all the changes

Now that you're getting closer to the actual moving process, it's time for action. Luckily for everyone, that means extra attention.

Quality time with your pet will make ease their anxiety and reduce their stress. It's also a great time to reinforce basic obedience commands so that, should something happen, you can regain control of the situation faster.

The move is a big change for everyone in the family, not just your pet. Make sure to take the time to talk about the move with your kids and answer any questions they may have.

Everyone must be on the same page when it comes to handling your pet during this transitional period. Older dogs tend to become tired faster but regardless of their age, moving is a big step for everyone.

Pack up your pet's stuff with them nearby

Do you have a special toy that they'll only play with when the lights are off? Or one that puts them into a trance where they can't hear anything else but the squeaker squeaking and squealing and rolling on the floor? Those things need to come.

The important call is to what toys you bring with you and what goes in a box sealed by packing tape.

It might be hard dealing with moving supplies and a curious dog sniffing everything but your presence will reassure them as you move their possessions. They will have to deal with all the new smells and the loss of what they consider a safe space all at once so taking the steps to make sure they understand what is happening will help your dog (or other pet, like an iguana) feel a little more relaxed.

A side note: when moving, have a stash of extra treats and medication always within your arm's reach if you need it. You don't want to wonder where these items are during the actual move.

If you have to board your pet during the move, consider asking them if they offer any special services for animals in particular.

Sadly, there may be times where you will be separated from your pet. As much as you can try to prevent that from happening, this may be necessary to make the move possible. It can even be a great idea, in the end, to make the move better for everyone in the family.

Ask the pet boarding service what kinds of services they provide. Although it's complicated, try to get them to feed your pet at the same time as they're used to, provide them with a blanket or toy from home, or feed them the same food that you do.

Do what you can to reduce stress as much as you can so that when you're able to pick your pet back up, it will be easier on both of you.

If a friend or family member is taking care of your pet during the move, here's what you can do.

Sometimes pet boarding is not an option and taking your pet along with you is impossible so you may have to ask family or a friend to pet sit until you can bring your little buddy to your new home.

Give your pet sitter a list of detailed instructions on how to lessen pet anxiety and deal with them when they have too much energy. Keeping regular meal times and spending time with the pet (yes, even cats and hamsters, not just dogs) will help them keep a semblance of their normal routine in the friend or family member's home until they're back with you.

If you can move with your pet, make sure you have what you need.

If everything lines up and you can travel with your pet during the move itself, that's amazing! Remember when we said to pack food and medication and keep it within arm's reach? This is when it will be helpful. It may be a long way from your previous home to your new home but making sure you have enough food, water, and toys for your pet during and after the move will make the experience much better for everyone involved.

Keep your pet's routine as close to normal as possible once you've moved

Moving with your dog, or a pet iguana can be a fun thing if all goes well. But it's a smoother ride if you do everything you can to help your parakeet or dog adjust quickly, to their new surroundings. It will help them feel at ease in their new home if you can unpack a few of the moving boxes that contain their favourite items.

Of course, things like a litter box for the cat might come first, but a few boxes full of familiar smells will help a dog settle like nothing else.

Once the separation anxiety from the move is resolved, you might find that you have a tired dog or gopher on your hands. (People don't have gopher pets, do they?)

A change in routine can be draining for both of you and so you shouldn't feel any shame in doing what needs to be done to assuage what's causing your pet anxiety. A dog trainer might sound like an extreme measure but if you ask a trainer, you may get some information that will help your dog adjust to their new home.

Of course, nothing beats some personal attention and alone time together to help both you and your dog acclimate to the new house.

Take your pet for a check-up with the new vet as soon as possible after you've moved

Remember when we said to find a good vet? This is why. Like we mentioned earlier, it's a great way to make sure your pet is not too overwhelmed. Sudden changes in their eating habit or behaviour are to be expected but to be safe and have a few stress-free days together in your new home, a vet visit is a small task.

Make friends with neighbours who have pets that are similar to yours

Introducing them to your new pet is a great way to help them adjust. Seeing another dog playing in the yard next door will make your pet feel more at home and allow them to explore their surroundings safely.

Your new address is also your pet's new address. And they have a social life too. Your new friends can also help you orient yourself in your new surroundings when it comes to both you and your pet. A new space, a new house, and a new routine can be anxiety-inducing but a new friend can make it all better.

Conclusion

Moving with a dog, or whatever kind of beautiful little furry/scaled/feathered friend can be challenging if you don't take the proper precautions. But with the right preparation, you can make the trip something the whole family remembers.

A new environment, fun places to discover, and new friends to make, it's all a great big adventure. So keep that in mind when you're packing boxes and they keep knowing things over.

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