In this blog entry, the professional residential moving service team here at NoFlex Moving will detail some tips for moving stress-free when you have pets or animals.
Prepare Your Home for Your Pet
Ensure that your new home has a pet safe fence, secured window screens, and vertical blinds instead of horizontal ones. Secure and tape all wires for electronics, and get chew proof containers if you have rabbits. Ensure the yard doesn’t have toxic plants.
Help Your Pet Acclimate to the Carrier or Crate
Give your pets time in advance to get used to the carrier. Try feeding them in the carrier for a while beforehand. If your dog isn’t used to being in a car, take them in the car to a few places where they can have a fun walk. Make sure to take your dog for a few walks before the move itself.
Lower Pet Anxiety
Pets don’t like change, so keep their routine level as much as possible before the move, feeding and walking them at the same time. Get boxes out early so they are used to them in the environment. Leave an extra box out for cats to sit in, as cats love empty boxes.
Planning Transport
Keep your pets in a crate or carrier in your vehicle, and frequently stop to allow your pets to stretch and have a break. You can try to harness trained cats, but not all cats like this. Book hotels in advance if you’ll be staying overnight during the move, and make sure it is pet friendly especially if you have a large dog. Try not to fly large pets if possible, as it’s stressful to put pets in cargo holds. Make sure to consider any species specific needs if you have their pets than dogs or cats. Animals that are kept in large cages need carriers. All cages should be secured with seat belts with vents pointed at them. Reptiles need hot water bottles near their career. Fish should be transported in bags HALF filled with water, as fish tanks can easily break. The bag can be placed in a secure styrofoam container.
Securing Pets During the Move
Make sure to secure your pets during the move by keeping them in rooms that you’ve already empty. Pets might try to escape due to the stress. Keep all doors and windows not being used closed. If you shut your pets in a room, leave them with water, food, litter box, puppy pads, paper, and toys. When you get to your new home ,make sure to confine animals for a while so they don’t try to leave and find their old home.
Packing Pet Stuff
Keep your pets favorite toys and blankets with them for comfort. If you’ll be waiting for movers, take pet equipment and food with you so you can easily set up a safe area for them while they get used to new environments.
Ask your Vet for Advice
Ask your vet for animal-specific pointers, and make sure to secure a vet at your new destination. Schedule a checkup for all pets in advance, and get extra of any prescription they might have, as well as keeping their medical records on hand. Ask your vet about calming supplements if you’re concerned about their stress, inducing anti-anxiety medication, but make sure to only do so once you’ve cleared it with your vet.
