Make Moving Less Stressful With Pets: Tips For Effortless Relocation

Moving can be stressful for people, so imagine how anxious your pets will be. Likewise, they can quickly become stressed when a spontaneous activity in their home or they are introduced to a new environment.

It’s not easy to relocate with four cats and a fish. Unfortunately, these difficulties do not have a one-size-fits-all solution, but here are some tips about how to make moving less stressful with pets.

Tips About How To Make Moving Less Stressful With Pets

1. Prepare An Overnight Kit

Ensure you have an easily accessible overnight kit with essential items your pet will need during the move. This should include a basic first-aid kit, veterinary records, enough of your pet’s regular food, water from home, travel bowls, a favourite toy or two, treats, and a blanket for comfort.

Pack enough food for the journey and some extra, just in case your pet’s preferred brand isn’t available at your destination. Gradually introducing new food can help avoid stomach issues during the transition.

2. Contact Your Veterinarian

Before the move, it’s crucial to schedule a visit to the veterinarian. During this visit, ensure your pet receives any necessary vaccinations and undergoes health checks. Additionally, discuss the situation with your vet and seek advice on how to keep your pet calm and comfortable during the journey.

Your veterinarian can provide valuable insights and recommend strategies to reduce your pet’s stress, making the entire moving process safer and more comfortable for your furry companion. Taking these precautions will help ensure your pet’s well-being and provide you with peace of mind as you embark on your new adventure together.

3. Take Your Pet In Your Vehicle

Take the pet in your vehicle to the new home. Cats and small dogs can be placed in a carrier in the back seat and secured with a seatbelt. A giant dog can be transported in the back of the car in a kennel; if possible, put the seats down. Some animals will feel more at ease if you cover their carrier with a blanket during the car ride, so they can’t be able to see the environment changing outside.

4. Prepare Your Vehicle

Are you going to be driving? Take your car to a trained mechanic to avoid a Puncture or breakdown in the middle of nowhere. Inform your mechanic that you will travel across the country, as this will most likely necessitate different tests than a regular check-up. Even if you’re only travelling with humans, this is a great idea, but it’s imperative when travelling with pets.

Next, decide how you’ll transport your pets in the car. The best location is usually in the backseat, away from the airbags. If your pets are unruly or are unfamiliar with car travel, you’ll need a method to ensure they stay put (and safe) on the road.

All options are backseat barriers, travel trapping, and pet carriers that attach to a seat belt to prevent movement in a sudden stop. Pets should be able to move around and sleep comfortably.

Select the best option based on the type and number of pets you own. Then, whatever you choose, test it before the big drive to ensure you won’t have any issues. For example, if you have two or more dogs, their harnesses may become tangled; however, pets unfamiliar with pet carriers may complain. Also, remember that large, persistent dogs can easily breach a backseat barrier.

5. Keep Your Pets Away From The Action

Keeping an animal in the quietest area possible during the move is the best way to reduce stress on them. If you don’t want to leave them with a friend or neighbour or a kennel for the day (which is recommended), at the very least, take them out of the action.

This could mean extracting a bedroom on another floor and closing the door or placing them in their carrier or kennel in the garage or moving truck (take precautions to ensure they’ll be at a safe temperature and have water and food if they’ll be there for an extended period).

Check on them regularly and try to feed or walk them at the usual times; maintaining some sense of routine amid all the changes will be highly beneficial.

6. Do Not Let Your Pet Out OF Truck Until You Arrive

When transporting or moving the animal to your new neighbourhood, be cautious because they can quickly become lost if they escape. Even if the pet is usually well-behaved or docile, it’s important not to open the kennel until the pet is in the new home once they’re in the car. Instead, allow them a few days to adjust to their new surroundings. 

Tip for cat owners: For safety reasons, more and more people are keeping their cats indoors, and a move is an excellent opportunity to get them used to being inside because they will not be allowed out in the new home. Make the most of this transition.

7. Keep Your Pet Away From Others

Move the house first, then the pet. Set up as much as possible, even if it’s just in one room, before introducing the animal to its new home. You can also ask your friends or family to keep them, or you can hire pet care until you finish your shift. Give your pet plenty of attention and begin introducing familiar objects, such as toys or blankets, as soon as possible. Make them feel as comfortable as you do! Then, confine them to a specific house area while adjusting to their new surroundings.

8. Update Their Information

If the worst happens and your lovely pet is lost or stolen, you want to increase your pet’s likelihood of being returned to you.

Keep collars (and leashes for dogs) on pets and update pet tags with your cell phone number and new address. (Rabies tags should also be attached to collars.) Even better, microchip your pets. If they become separated from their collars, they will still be able to be identified. Finally, make sure you have recent photos of all of your pets.

Using a ground transportation service is an option instead of driving with your pets or flying with them. However, a ground transportation service is typically more expensive than the other options, ranging from $500 to $2,000 per pet, depending on the distance travelled and the type of pet.

On the bright side, pet shipping ensures that your animal family member receives the best possible care and attention. Your pet may travel alone or with other animals depending on your service. In addition, you may be able to personalize the moving service and even receive real-time updates, such as photos and location details.

All ground transportation services provide a quick and safe ride, allowing you to return to your pet immediately. Pets are usually transported in minivans or SUVs, which have plenty of space and are climate-controlled for comfort. In addition, dogs are walked every few hours, and cats’ litter boxes are cleaned regularly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, moving can be a stressful experience not only for people but also for our beloved pets. The process of relocating with multiple pets, such as four cats and a fish, can be particularly challenging. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, following some essential tips can significantly reduce the stress on our furry companions during the move.

Regardless of the method you choose, having your pets by your side can provide them with a sense of security and familiarity in their new surroundings. So, make the most of this transition, shower them with love and attention, and enjoy the journey of creating beautiful memories with your cherished pets in your new home.

Additionally, If you’re looking for a reliable and professional moving service to help you with your relocation, contact Moving Champs today! We specialize in providing stress-free moving solutions catering to your and your pets’ needs.

For free moving quotes and to learn more about our services,

visit our website at www.movingchamps.ca
or give us a call at +1-6479322202.
You can also reach out to us via email at info@movingchamps.ca.