Tips for Moving with Pets

Choosing Your New Neighborhood, House or Apartment

Before you decide on your dream home, make sure your pet will love it just as much as you do. Take a walk or drive around the neighborhood to determine whether the area seems safe for your pets. Lookout for neighborhood dogs that seem aggressive or are left unattended. Check for a local dog park if the home you’re considering doesn’t have a lot of yard space.

When it comes to square footage needs, cats differ to dogs:

• For your kitty, ensure your potential new space allows for plenty of room to build vertically—it’s easy to create a lot of vertical space with shelving, cat trees, and window perches.
• Consider your dog’s needs on a case-by-case basis. Older dogs, puppies and dogs with house training issues will need to go outside often, which might be difficult in an apartment building with lots of stairs or a house without a yard. Energetic dogs will need space to run or require many walks through the neighborhood.
  

Cats aren’t big fans of change and prefer to be in a familiar environment. You can help your cats (and skittish dogs) adjust to the moving process by slowly bringing in moving boxes and keeping your furry friends in a familiar room you plan to pack up last. On moving day, keep your pets in a quiet room with the door shut, or at a friend’s house. This will ensure that your cat or dog won’t get scared and try to make a quick getaway while the movers load up the truck. During the moving process, try to keep your pet’s routine as normal as possible. Maintain the same schedule for treats, grooming and bedtime to help them acclimate more quickly.

Talk to Your Veterinarian

Make sure to inform your current vet that you are moving. They may offer further advice on how to ease pet anxiety while moving, or even prescribe medication for overly anxious pets.

• Make sure you have a copy of your pet’s medical records, prescriptions, and tag certificates. Get refills on all prescriptions so you won’t run out mid trip.
• You current vet may have a recommendation for another doctor or practice in the area you are moving to.
• Update your contact information if your pet has a microchip so you can be easily contacted in the event your pet gets lost during your move.

Planning Your Road Trip

Many pets haven’t spent much time in crates or cars. In the weeks or months leading up to the big trip:

• Prepare your pets by gradually acclimating them to their crates. First, place a blanket with a familiar scent and cat treats inside while leaving the door open. Once your feline friend is comfortable, place food inside the crate and allow them to eat with the door closed.
• Try carrying your pets around the house in the crate or taking a short drive. Start with a short 10 minute drive, and gradually taking longer rides. You’ll find that your pets anxiety may start to decrease.
• You can help your pets develop a positive association with the crate by providing treats and playtime at the conclusion of crate time.

It is a good idea to pet-proof your new home before their arrival if possible. Make sure to tuck away electrical cords, close off nooks where your pet could get stuck, make sure that all windows have secure screens, remove any dangling cords from blinds, and confirm that no pest-control poison traps have been left anywhere in the house.

Getting Settled In

When you arrive at your new home at the end of your long journey, it will be tempting to set your dog or cat loose in the house to explore. However, a new and unfamiliar space can be overwhelming to your pets. Do not be surprised if your pet “disappears” for a few days while getting used to their new home.

• Start by allowing them to adjust to one room—their “home base”—which should include their favorite toys, treats, water and food bowls and litter box for cats.
• When they seem comfortable, gradually introduce them to other rooms in the house, while keeping some doors shut.
• Take your dogs for a leashed walk around the neighborhood to get used to the new sounds and smells. If you had a previous walking schedule, make sure you stick to the same times to help them adjust quicker.
• If you are able, try to allow a couple extra days to spend at home with your pet after the move and before returning to work. During this period, you can begin to stay away from home for short periods of time to get them used to being alone in their new space. Do not leave your dog unattended outside during this adjustment period.