Moving can be very stressful and time consuming for everyone. For pets, it’s just as tough, if not more. It’s important to keep your furry companions safe and calm during this new adjustment period. As stressed as you are, they are likely to be more scared because they’re unsure of what is going on. We’ve compiled a list for pet owners on what to do when moving with pets before, during, and after the process.

Before The Moving Process Starts:

1. Let your pet veterinarians be aware of the move. Your pets' health is the most important aspect, and a veterinarian can let you know of anything regarding moving your pet. Make sure to get any information from them regarding your pets' records. If your veterinarian doesn’t tell you, ask if they can recommend any new healthcare places for your pets.

1. Get your pets used to being transported. Whether you have cats, dogs, birds, or hamsters, travel is tough for a lot of animals, especially for longer rides. It’s crucial that your pet gets comfortable with their pet carrier and being on car rides. The best way to transport animals, because there’s not a chance of them running loose, is with a pet carrier. Include a blanket and treats in the carrier, this will calm down pets as it’ll be a comfy-looking place for them to reside in. You can leave the carrier in their pet space at home, that way they can get used to it and crawl inside if they wish. For their car rides, start out with taking them on short distances and progress to longer ones. This is an especially good tip if you’re moving your pets on a longer distance.

1. Create an overnight bag for them. You want to be sure their supplies are easy to access no matter the type of move. In the bag, be sure to include their familiar items for comfort. In the overnight bag be sure to have food, water, cat litter (if you are transporting cats), treats, toys, and their personal information.

1. For dogs, you can walk them around their new neighborhood and around the outside of their new home. This way, they get used to the new surroundings and can get in touch with a possible new walking route.

1. Check with an animal-loving friend to see if your pet can stay with them during the moving process. If you’re heavily involved in the move, you probably don’t want to be worried about keeping an eye on your pet. That’s why you’ll want to see if a friend can watch your animals during the process. If it’s not possible, you can check with your kennel to do this. It’s important to do this step before the moving starts, that way you’re not scrambling at the last minute.

During The Moving Process:

1. Keep your pets away from the action. You should have a place for them to stay during the process set up already, but make sure to keep them in their safe space during the process.

1. Get everything moved into your home before you move in your new pet. This will not only make things less chaotic, but your pet will be accustomed to the familiar items in your new home. It should decrease pet anxiety upon seeing familiar items.

1. Stick to your routine. Keep mealtimes, bathroom times, and walking times consistent with their normal schedule. This will provide them with comfort.

1. Pet-proof your new home. After you get everything set up, and you’re almost ready to move your pets in with you, make sure everything is safe for them. There should be no loose cords for them to get tangled in, for example. A lot of times cats will try to hide in crawl spaces for a few days after moving in. This is just a normal result of pet anxiety, and they should calm down soon. It would be good to hide any crawl spaces, though, so any animal can’t get quickly lost in your home or hurt.

After The Moving Process:

1. Slowly invite your pets into your new home. It may be best to introduce your new house slowly to your pets, especially if it’s a larger home than you had previously. A good place to start would be introducing them to one room, progressively opening them up to new rooms in the house. Your pets may have different reactions upon moving into a new space. A common reaction for cats is to hide, whether they remain in their carrier or stick to a small area in the room. Don’t worry, it’s a natural response for most animals. Let them take their time getting used to the home. Dogs, especially big dogs, may want to explore more. If your dog seems comfortable with the one room, you may consider allowing them to explore more of the space in the house. Walk along with them, and give them a tour of the new place to let them know it’s a safe environment.

1. Keep a calm and familiar space for your pets. Keeping their personal items (food, water, bowls, litter boxes, and toys) the same will provide comfort. Having a new house potentially means new smells, so providing a blanket or clothing item for your pet to lay on that smells like you will provide them comfort. Also, it’s important to keep a familiar routine for them after the process. Keep up with your daily routine, and give them food during their regular mealtimes. A change of pace may be uncomfortable for pets adjusting to a new home. You may want to invite friends and family over to check out the place, just make sure they keep a calm and safe environment for your pet. Different members in the household could be scary for your pet.

1. Update your animals' information. Let your veterinarian, whether you’ve changed vets or not, know your new details. Your address has definitely changed, and many clinics will want to know that for contact purposes. If any other information, such as your home phone number, let them know that and update it, too.

If you follow these steps, things are sure to go smooth on moving day. If not, you can contact us for information and help regarding your move-in process.