Tips and Tricks for Moving with Pets

Moves are stressful for everyone involved, including your pets. Most of our pets are frightened or anxious when anything unexpected happens in their home, so of course they’ll be stressed when you bring them to a completely unfamiliar place.

Fortunately, there are ways to make your move as stress-free as possible for your furry friend. Here are some tips and tricks to keep your move pet-friendly.

Prep Your Pet

Moving day is hectic enough. You don’t also need to fight to put your pet in their carrier or in the car. You can help prepare your cats and dogs for moving day by getting them comfortable with their carrier and with the car – especially if it’s a long-distance move.

First, make sure your furry friend is familiar with their carrying case. For the month leading up to the move, let your pet inspect and get used to their carrying case. Once they’re comfortable with the carrier, you can take your pet on short car rides to help them adjust to riding in the vehicle. Before you know it, your pet will be comfortable on the drive to your new home.

Visit the Vet

Don’t forget to visit the vet before you move. You want to make sure your pet is up-to-date on all their shots (like rabies vaccinations). You can also have their blood tested to ensure they’re in full health prior to moving.

Anyone who is moving long distances (for example moving overseas or to the United States) will need to double check what the country requires for pets’ health and vaccinations. Before you move to another country, it’s also a good idea to obtain a health certificate.

Double Check Their Tags

No one wants to assume the worst will happen, but just in case your pet wanders off or finds a hole in the fence while you move your belongings in, you want to make sure you can find them.

While you’re moving, you’ll want to make a temporary ID tag for your furry friend. It should include their name, your name, your name, your new address, and an emergency name and phone number to call, in case you can’t be reached. Once you’re settled into your new home, you can permanently update all your pet’s ID tags.

Prepare an Overnight Kit

When you arrive at your new home, you might not be able to unpack your pet’s belongings right away, so it’s best to be ready with everything your pet might need for the first day or two. Pack your pet an overnight bag with everything they might need. This could include your pet’s regular food, kitty litter, a first aid kit, some grooming tools, a favourite toy, and anything else they might need to feel safe and comfortable on their first night in the new place!

Ease Them In

Once you’ve arrived at your new home, you want to make sure your pet stays safe and sound. You don’t know how your pet will react to their new home or where they’ll try to hide, and you certainly don’t want them getting lost or hurt while you’re busy unpacking.

One of the best things you can do is keep your pet secluded while they adjust. Pick a room in your new home and allow your pet free reign of it while you unpack and set up the rest of your home. You can make the room feel a little more familiar by providing your pet their toys, blankets, and anything else they’re familiar with to help them feel at home.

Remember, every pet is going to respond differently to a move, so you need to be prepared to support your pet during the transition. Working with a professional moving company like Eager Beaver will help ease the stress of your move so you can focus on supporting your furry friends as you make the transition.

Let’s get moving! Get your free moving quote today!