Moving made easy for your pet

Like most adventures in one's life, moving requires good preparation for both you and your pet. Animals are quite territorial and moving could possibly be more stressful for your pet because of their lack of understanding of the situation or their inability to communicate the way they feel. By being prepared you will be sparing your pet from unnecessary stress and will also keep them out of mischief. Regarding the packing process, ensure that you keep all boxes, tape, and bubble wrap away from your pet. It would also be advised to keep all your packed boxes in one room.

Below we discuss a few tips that will help make the prep and your pet's moving experience less stressful.

1 |Ensure that your new home is pet friendly

If you are fortunate enough to have keys to your new home before moving in, take some time to ensure that your new home has been pet-proofed. This includes having possible "escape routes" closed with mesh or similar materials. Also, choose a designated room for the day of moving where you will be keeping your pet and where they will feel safe.

2 |Overnight Packed Pet Bag

Very important to remember is to have a bag packed with all your pets' essentials. These essentials will include poop bags, favourite toys - including chew toys, leash, water bowl, food and kitty litter, box, and scooper. This will ensure that the first few nights run smoothly, and you will be saved from scavenging through random boxes in search of your pet's favourites/necessities. You could make the experience of the first night fun, by creating a box filled with your pets' favourites. Give this box to them the first night and allow them to explore and open the box themselves. By including them in the activity will calm them and draw their attention away from any unnecessary activities that they might want to part take in.

3 |Make contact with your Veterinarian

Contact your vet if you are moving out of the area. They will possibly be able to recommend a new vet and will also provide you with all the required documentation and report build-up that your pet would have had at their practice. These documents are very important and future vets will need this to ensure that they are aware of your pets' medical history.

4 |Transport your pet in your own vehicle

Your pet is likely to feel more comfortable and safer with you transporting them. Unfamiliar faces and spaces could cause your pet severe and unnecessary anxiety. Make the trip fun, by constantly talking to them and checking in. If possible, elevate your dog so that they can get an idea of their surroundings, this too will keep their minds busy and off the fact that they are being transported somewhere new. It is also good to remember to not feed your pet just before transporting them. Pets also suffer from motion sickness and feeding them just before the trip could possibly put both of you in an unwanted situation.

5 |Keep your pet away from the action

Keeping your pet secluded during the packing and unpacking process is very important. You want your pet to constantly feel at home and at ease. Keeping them away from the packing process will curb them from feeling that they might be abandoned. Move your pet to the new home as late as possible in the moving process and ensure that there is at least a space or two that has been packed out at the new home. Having a few areas packed out will help create a familiar feel even though the home is new.

6 |Updating Information

Various forms of admin will always be a part of the moving process. One of these forms of admin will be the updating of information such as telephone numbers and your address. Having your pet's identity microchip and tag updated is of utmost importance. Also, remember to update your information with the vet if you will be retaining their services.

7 |Settling In

During the settling-in period, you might notice that your pet's behaviour has changed in more ways than one. Your potty-trained pet could have accidents in the new home, and this is not because they have forgotten about where they need to use the loo, but instead, because they are fearful. Take the time to retrain your pet and remember to be patient, this could take some time.

Keeping your routine while settling in is also important. Feeding and walking times should stay the same. The routine helps your pet predict when they will be receiving familiar behaviour from you, and this will make them feel safe and assist them to adapt to their new surroundings sooner rather than later.

Moving does not have to be stressful for you or your pet. By making the new adventure fun and as predictable as possible, you are sure to make beautiful memories.