Moving into a new home isn’t just stressful for you, it’s stressful for your pets too – especially for cats and dogs. But while moving with pets can be daunting, we at Jackie Mack & More have some tips and tricks to help ensure that your move goes smoothly for your pets. Your goal: To make them as comfortable and protected throughout the process as possible. Let’s look at them now.
First, if you are moving away from the area, select a veterinarian near your new home. Then, whether you’re staying with your old vet or starting with a new one, you should:
- Update the tags for your pet(s) with your new address (and make sure they’re on the collar in case something goes wrong, and they get lost during the move);
- Refill any prescriptions for your pet (you should have at least a week’s worth of any medications prescribed for your pet); and
- If you are moving away from the area, request their medical records and ensure that they’ve been sent to the new veterinarian.
In advance of your move, you should also make sure you have at least a week’s worth of food and other key supplies, including a travel crate. Please note that there are many light collapsible travel crates available. You should ensure that it is well-ventilated and sturdy enough for stress chewers. For cats, find one large enough for them to be able to use their litter box while in the crate; they should be able to stand up, turn around, and lay down with ease. and you should introduce your pet to it before the trip to their new home.
Finally, while we hope you won’t need it, you should prepare a pet-focused first aid kit. Items for the kit can include:
- Phone number of the veterinarian
- A muzzle (for a dog)
- Gauze for wounds
- Adhesive tape for bandages
- Nonstick bandages
- Towels
- Cotton Swabs
- Antibiotic Ointment (without pain relief medication)
- 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
Your next step is to prepare your new home, setting up one room with everything your pet will need, including:
- Food
- Water
- Medication
- Bed
- Litter box
- Scratch post for cats
- Toys
Last but not least, you should plan out in advance how you’re going to get your pet(s) to your new home. If you are driving there, identify any emergency vet locations along your route and plan rest stops along the way where you can let your pet(s) out to stretch their legs and go to the bathroom. And if your drive will take longer than a day to get to your new home, be sure to reserve pet-friendly lodging beforehand.
Then while in the car:
- Use a crate or carrier, ensuring that it is secured with a seat belt;
- Never leave a pet in the bed of a truck or the storage area of a moving vans;
- Do not leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle;
- Have kitty litter or plastic bags on hand
Or if you’re flying to your new home:
- Check with the airline about pet requirements in advance of booking a ticket;
- Make sure you have all the necessary documents; and
- Check if you must purchase a special airline crate that fits under your seat.
Once you have arrived at your new home, keep your pet(s) in a safe, quiet room with a clear sign posted on the door. It’s best to move them to their safe room prior to moving in anything else and give them time to adjust to their new surroundings. Or, if possible, have a friend or family member take care of your furry friend during the actual moving day. Either way, try to keep your pet’s routine – i.e., feeding time and walking – as close as possible to normal. Most importantly, be sure to keep the windows and doors closed when your pet is unsupervised, and beware of small spaces where nervous pets may hide.
We at Jackie Mack & More are here to help you during every step of the home selling and buying process. After all, our goal is to make the process as stress free as possible. So be sure to contact us if we can help in any way. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you.
