Moving with pets – the perfect guide for beginners
Moving is an endeavor that usually causes a great deal of stress. Moving with pets can be even harder. You can comprehend everything that’s happening. You have an end goal and can see the bigger picture. Light at the end of the tunnel, if you will. But your little buddy is a different story altogether. Pets are amazing. They give their love and their loyalty, never asking anything in return. But they don’t possess the mindset that can allow them to understand the chaos of moving. They only know everything is changing. And it can cause them a great deal of stress. That is why High Quality Moving Company decided to compile this simple guide. Because there are some things you need to know before you and your best friends hit the road.
Moving with pets begins before you start packing
When you start looking for your new house, have in mind that you will be sharing it with your pets. Your new home won’t only have to suit your needs. It should be comfortable for your companions too. And not only your home but the new environment too. Needless to say, you will have to spend a bit of time researching your new surroundings. Fortunately, you can do it easy nowadays. You can head to Google Maps, for instance.
There, you will be able to see if there are parks or other pet-friendly zones nearby. Of course, this is primarily a concern of dog owners. Fluffy buddies are the ones who need long walks to expend the excess energy that builds up while they are at home. And it is true even if you’re moving into the house with the backyard.
On the other hand, you might be moving into the apartment. Some buildings are pet-friendly, and you won’t have trouble keeping your pets there. Others might require additional fees. And in the worst-case scenario, your new building might not allow pets at all. So make sure you call ahead and gather all the info on rules and regulations for keeping your companion in your apartment. There’s nothing worse than having to look for the new apartment at the last minute. Well, actually, there is. Having to give your buddy away. Unfortunately, it is a real possibility. But you can avoid it by being well-informed.
Pets and the fuss of moving are never a good combination
The chaos that relocation can cause in your household does not mix well with the well-being of your pets. Even if you’re employing moving services Detroit of a reputable moving company that will make sure everything is done swiftly and efficiently. It can still cause an anxiety buildup. So it’s best to remove them from the premises. At least until everything is loaded safely and your movers leave. That being said, you will have to consider some options:
- Ask your friends or family to take care of them until you’re ready to go.
- Leave them in the kennel for a day.
- Find a safe and quiet place in your home or garage, away from all the noise and chaos.
The first two options are ideal, as you’ll be leaving your friends in the loving care of people who will treat them well. Still, be sure to make arrangements a few days earlier, just to be on the safe side. The third option might not be as good. However, sometimes it might be the only one. In that case, it’s preferable to empty a room and keep your pets in it until the commotion is over. Your buddies won’t mind, as long as you throw in their favorite blankies and toys and enough food and water. Remember to check on them often and, if you can walk them at the same times you usually do. Retaining some sense of daily routine will be of immense help amidst the chaos of moving.
Prepare pet essentials bag
Having an essentials bag when you’re relocating is always a good idea. It doesn’t matter if you’re moving locally or interstate. Having it within reach will make life much easier for the first few days after you’ve moved. With this in mind, you should also prepare the essentials bag for your fluffy, feathery, or scaly friends. It should contain everything they need for a day or two until you finish settling in:
- Food and water
- No-spill bowls
- Pet carrier and/or leash
- Medications
- Litter bags
- Treats
- Grooming tools
- Favorite toy
Having all of these will a lifesaver when you’re moving with pets. Just make sure it’s within reach and easily accessible, and you’re golden.
Different species have different needs
Not all pets are the same. They have different requirements and methods to move. Keep this in mind and do the research to ensure your little buddies are safe during the trip.
Birds are the least demanding to move
Birds are probably the easiest pet to travel with. All you have to do is make sure there is a safe place in your car for the cage and that the cage is covered with some light and airy cloth so there is enough oxygen.
Dogs can be great traveling companions
If your traveling companion is a dog the procedure is pretty much the same as if you were traveling with a child. Well, almost the same. You will have to make quite a few stops along the way for them to stretch their legs and take a bathroom break. This will be most notable if you’re moving long-distance. If you’re planning on spending the night at the rest stop, make sure to plan accordingly and see if they are pet-friendly. It is also a good idea to throw some blankets over the seats and windows during the trip. That way they won’t be able to see the movement outside and get overexcited.
If you are moving cats keep in mind that they are not the fans of change
Get a cat carrier a few weeks prior to the move so your purr machine can get used to it. It’s also a good idea to put them in the car and make a few short drives around the block. Just so they could get used to the car noise and movement.
Fish are delicate and demand careful handling
This one is really hard since moving can be really hard on them, even fatal. That is why it might be better to find them a new home and avoid moving them. This is a hard decision to make, but it is for the best. If, however, you do decide to move them you can do that by putting them in the bag with their tank water.
Set your pets up first when you arrive
Moving with pets can be difficult and taxing. Still, once you arrive at your new home you should take some time to familiarize them with the new environment. Take a tour of the house together. If you could unpack before your pet arrives – that’s great. Just set up their corner and your new life together can begin.