Moving? Simple Tips To Make The Process Easier For Your Pets
Moving STINKS! Let’s just get that out there.
We recently moved and this is a blog post that I started writing while in the think of the move. As you can imagine, time has a way of getting away from you when you move, so you’ll understand why I am just now getting around to posting this. 🙂
I’m currently sitting in our living room, completely surrounded by a sea of boxes. It’s pouring outside from the nor’ easter that decided to hit on moving day – because why wouldn’t it rain when everything we own needs to be hauled outside and loaded on a truck?! And then there is Harvey – this doggie is not at all happy about our current situation.
Which brings up a good question – what can be done to make moves easier on our pets?
Before the Move
Microchip and Update: Consider having your pets microchipped and registered. If you have already done this, be sure the company has been contacted and given all the info they need to find you – just in case!
Updated Photo and Medical Records: It’s always a smart idea to have a good, recent photo of your pets and make sure you have access to it – again, just in case. Also, ensure you get copies of your pet’s medical records from the vet – you’ll need those for the new vet. I like to keep these with me during the move because you just never know when an illness or accident will happen. I call this Murphy protection!
Packing and Loading: I think the best thing that we can do for our pets during the packing out days and the truck loading day is to make arrangements for them to stay with family, close friends, or a trusted pet sitter. Since that’s not always possible, though, I’m going to give you some techniques to use when it’s necessary to keep pets with you during the moving process:
1 – Stress Relief and Exercise: Moving is a stressful, crazy-busy time, not to mention exhausting. If it is possible, 30 – 45 minutes of exercise will do wonders in keeping doggie relaxed. It’s best to do this at the beginning of the day, but sometimes you just can’t because life gets in the way. I have never seen Harvey have more fun than he did during an afternoon romp at dog park while our packers were packing. He had been so tense all day and really needed to get it all out.
Product suggestions – A few all-natural products that will help to keep pets calm: Stress Away (soft chews or pills), Rescue Remedy, and Dog Appeasing Pheremone. Make sure to read the manufacturer’s directions before giving these to your pet.
2 – Keep Pets in a Safe and Secure Area: Many pets get really spooked when a move is in progress. Many of them even try to bolt (hence the reason for my advice above to consider a microchip)! If at all possible, try to clear out one room so your packers don’t have to go in there, and make it comfortable for your pets. Put their beds, a few toys, food and water, and maybe a radio to drown out the fingernails-on-chalkboard noise of packing tape being stretched over boxes. Most importantly (in my opinion), make sure to leave something personal of yours. We leave our slippers in the room with Harvey. He knows we wear them around the house, so we won’t leave them behind, and they smell like us – very reassuring things to dogs especially.
Don’t forget me!!
3 – Check on Them Frequently: I like to peek in on Harvey about every hour – to make sure he’s doing okay, see if he needs to go out, check his water bowl, and make sure he isn’t unraveling the carpet, etc. You laugh! Our dog, Meggie (who passed away a few years ago) actually unraveled an entire Berber carpet. Oh, and don’t leave your pet’s medication (or yours) in the room with them. Yep – our old dog, Oliver ate a bottle of phenobarbital, medication we had for Meggie, who was epileptic. He ate the bottle, cap, pills – everything! Had to rush him to the emergency vet center, contact poison control, you name it! Thankfully, he was fine after being treated. By ‘fine’ I mean that he acted like he was drunk for the next three days, but at least we knew he was no longer in danger of dying – but do you see why I recommend keeping the medical records with you now? 🙂
4 – Reassure them – Give your pets lots of love and let them be a little involved. It is, however, very important for you to remain calm and confident. Our pets take their cues from us, so if we are nervous or upset, they will be nervous and upset! I let Harvey check everything out for a few minutes when the packers are here. I show him his toys being packed with some of our items and we make sure we keep a few of his favorites for him in the hotel.
5 – Keep Them on a Short Leash Lastly, on the day that the moving van is being loaded and I can no longer keep Harvey in a quiet room – all the doors are open, there are 5 burly guys coming in and out of the house, and craziness abounds – I like to put Harvey’s leash around my waist so I can be hands free and keep him close to my side. This way I know there is no way he is going to take off and he is happy because he knows I’m not leaving him behind…but he is awfully tired from following me around all day…and he definitely did his share of grumbling at the movers!
What NOT to do
Do not leave your pet alone in an empty house – even for a short time! This causes total panic in most animals, as they think they have been abandoned. There are plenty of pet friendly hotels and doggie daycare centers if you need a place for them for a few hours or overnight.
This should go without saying, but DO NOT ABANDON your pets! Just this morning I read a story about an 11 year old dog who was abandoned by her family when their house was foreclosed. For the life of me, I will never, ever understand how anyone could do such a thing. Illness and hard times happen, it’s a fact of life. But if you absolutely can’t take your pet with you, there are hundreds of wonderful rescue organizations who can help your pet. Please contact a reputable organization instead of abandoning your pet.
Have you moved recently with a pet? Please share your tips and experiences in the comments below!
