Moving with animals can be a trying experience both for you and your pet. Most animals (cats in particular) are incredibly attached to their living spaces, and so the process of relocating to a new home can be very upsetting. To help with this, I have shared a few suggestions that I hope all you animal lovers will find useful, and allow you and your furry friend to relocate with as little stress as possible.

Pre- Move

• Visit Your Vet

While there, ask for the following:

• Updated ID tags
• Pet’s health records to take to the new veterinary clinic.
• Ask for recommendations for clinic in new area.
• Ask for a sedative or another calming remedy for during the move if your pet is naturally hyper or anxious

• Micro-chip Update

If your animal has a microchip for tracking, call the company to update the address and other pertinent info.

• Pack Their Things Last

Your pet’s belongings should be the LAST thing to be packed and be put all in one place to make it easy to find/unpack. Leave out items that they might need while traveling (favourite toys, bedding, food/water dishes, liter box, etc).

• Remove Animal From Home

Remove your pet from your home while packing (suggestions include taking it to the groomers, a play date with another animal, ask a friend or hire someone to take your animal for walks/to the dog park). Keep in mind animals such as cats will be upset by the disorder of packing and tend to hide in small spaces.

• Introduce To Crate

Introduce animal to a traveling crate a few weeks before moving day. Start by placing food, treats and other toys in the crate, and eventually going for small trips (suggestions include  taking quick drives around the neighbourhood).

• If Moving With Reptiles…

If moving with reptiles, research methods beforehand, as they are highly susceptible to changing temperatures. If concerned, look into private companies that specialize in transporting animals. Animal shelters and veterinary clinics have more advice on this topic.

 

During The Move

• Find Alternative Places To Stay

If at all possible, make arrangements for your pet to stay with friends or relatives, or reserve boarding. This is an ideal option as it relieves much of the stress on you to take care of your pet throughout the hectic move, and your furry friend does not have to deal with the changes occurring all around it.

• Keep In Crate

While in the process of loading your items onto the transport vehicles, keep your pet in their crate or in a separate room with their favourite things so they will be out of the way. They should also be kept in the crate during transportation to their new your new home, for their security as well as to keep the process simplified.

• Keep Personal Items Close

Keep medical kit for pet in arms reach at all times, as well as previously left out items.

• Stop For Breaks

If traveling long distances, make plans to take regular rest stops (especially if traveling with dogs).

• If Moving With Fish…

You can either move the entire aquarium with the fish inside, or visit an aquarium store and purchase oxygen infused bags so the little guys survive the trip.

 

Post Move

• Clean

Clean your new home thoroughly before allowing animals in, and check for dangers such as mouse traps or poisonous chemicals/plants

• Unpack Their Things First

Unpack your animal’s possessions FIRST, and try to arrange their belongings in a similar way to your previous home.

• Keep Separate At First

As with moving, put your pet and their belongings into a gated room or one with a closed door while unpacking. Once movers are gone and things have calmed down, introduce your pet to their new home. Introduce cats to their new litter box location if it was moved from the room where they were kept during the move.

• Find A New Vet

Ideally done before the big move, find a new veterinary clinic as soon as possible in your new area.

• Maintain Old Routine

Keeping your old routine helps pets adjust quicker. For example, keep the same walking and feeding times.

Other Things to Keep in Mind When Moving Pets…

As with humans, moving to a new home in a new area involves a period of adjustment. Dogs and cats in particular can exhibit certain behaviours when they are going through times of change:

Dogs:

Excessive hyperactivity

Destroying property and possessions

Cats:

Urinary spraying

Hiding (under beds, in closets, basements, attics)

Not eating or drinking

Defecating everywhere BUT the litter box.

Both cats and dogs can display irritation, uncharacteristic aggression, or act distant. If any of these behaviours persist past a few days, contact your local vet.

 

For more information regarding how to make your move more agreeable for you and your pet, feel free to contact me anytime!