As a professional moving company, we understand that moving is a tough process, and it’s only made harder when you have four-legged friends tagging along. If you have dogs, cats, or both, here are a few simple things you can do to make the moving process easier on your pets, and on yourself.

Make one final visit to the vet

Some pets don’t like going to the vet, but if you’re moving, it’s important to make sure your pets get a checkup before you leave. We can’t stress enough how important this is if you’re moving so far away that you’ll need to find a new vet, or if it involves a plane. Make sure you have proof of vaccinations, medications, and any other paperwork you’ll need. Some states require health certificates for you to enter with your pet, so make sure you do some research beforehand. Waiting until the last minute can only add unnecessary stress

Temporarily let your pets stay somewhere else

Boarding can be difficult for animals with separation anxiety, but it is often a better long-term solution when you are moving to a new home. By boarding your animals on moving day, you don’t have to worry about them getting trampled, they don’t risk running away, and you don’t have to keep a constant eye on them. It saves time, frustration, and risk, which can make your move go much more smoothly. Plus, it’s safer for your pets.

Maintain as much routine as possible

Our pets love routine and are sensitive to changes. Changes in their routine can be stressful. Therefore, try to plan your move in such a way that it disrupts your pets’ routine (and yours) as little as possible. Let them get used to what’s happening slowly and they will respond much better. Also, make sure that you familiarize them as much as possible when you move them yourself. Favorite toys and bedding can act as a security blanket and help your pets stay calmer during the whole process.

Make sure your pets are used to their home

Whether you have dogs or cats, you want to treat them well. You should take the time to get your pets used to traveling. For example, if you have a cat, leave their carrier on the floor with the door open. Let them get used to it being there and give them a chance to explore. If you have a dog, get them used to a crate or kennel. Take them on increasingly longer car rides and get them used to being a passenger if possible. The more time you can take to get your pets used to moving (even though they will never really like it), the easier it will be.

Identification

Always make sure your pet is identified. If the unthinkable happens and your pet gets lost during the move, how will they find their way back to you? Make sure the collar fits properly and that the tag has a phone number that cannot be disconnected during the move. It is also a good idea to have your pet microchipped.

Chill out... your pets are watching

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again… moving is stressful. Even if everything goes perfectly (which it never does), you’re going to have days where you just want to throw yourself down on the floor and have a good old-fashioned seizure. But no matter how stressful things get, it’s important to remember that little eyes are watching you, and you might scare them.

Your pets are already under a lot of stress from the whole moving process. New items arrive without explanation, familiar items leave the house, and new people, like professional movers, disrupt the routine. So take a moment, breathe, and remember that your pets need you to be calm and reassuring to them. Otherwise, they might just shoot over the edge of the stress meter.

If you are looking for a professional moving company to help you with your upcoming move, contact us today contact us!