How to Ready your Pet for the Big Move

If you think moving is stressful for yourself, consider it from your pet’s perspective: his whole world is slowly disappearing, and soon he’ll relocate to totally foreign territory with new sights and smells to adjust to. Even when the new home is larger or offers the benefit of a yard, it’s impossible to describe this to your pet in a way he can understand. Fortunately there are methods you possibly can make this process easier not only for your best bud, but for you, as well.

This guide aims to help make your trip with your pet to a new home smoother and happier. It will help you prepare him for the move ahead of time, accommodate him on the big day, and get him settled in once you’ve arrived. With the appropriate preparation, patience, and reassurance, your pet is going to be comfortable in his new surroundings in no time.

How to Ready your Pet for the Big Move

Preparing Prior to the Move

If possible, begin by getting acquainted with your new neighborhood ahead of time. Take a walk to scout out nearby dog-friendly parks and nature trails; it may help to learn about them in advance if you have a dog that will need exercising (or perhaps a skittish cat that may get anxious watching dogs regularly pass the window on their way there). As you’re exploring, take note of any loose or unattended pets in the neighborhood and the general temperament of the neighborhood pet population. (Do the dogs bark aggressively as you walk past or are their tails wagging? Are there stray or outdoor cats you should be aware of before walking your dog?)

The truth is that at first, your four-legged friend is going to feel a little freaked out in your new home, so scope it out with the eyes of a frightened animal and look for escape and hiding opportunities:

Could your cat squeeze into that space between the counter and refrigerator?
Is your bird in danger of flying out through that torn screen door?
Are there holes in the fence that need repaired before your dog can run loose?

Your pet will likely be confused when you first make the transition, and a few might even attempt to “escape” to their old territory and flee out an open door without warning. Look for and immediately address any areas which could place your pet at risk. Don’t wait until move-in day to arrange for repairs; you’ll be distracted by a million other tasks, and the very last thing you’ll need amid the chaos is the panic over your pet’s great escape!

Whenever possible, take him to see the new home before officially moving in. Bring dogs in on a leash for the first visit so that they feel secure right by your side. Cats may be let loose provided that all exterior doors and windows are shut. Let them sniff around each room for a couple minutes and explore using their noses. The sooner a pet gets used to the smells of his new environment, the quicker he’ll be able to adjust to it, so permit him to sniff you whenever you return from a visit to the new place, too. He trusts you, so going to a place he’s smelled on you will be a lot less intimidating later on.

Make a trip to your veterinarian within a few weeks of the move so she can give your pet a simple check-up, especially if you’re traveling a long distance to your new home. Ensure that all of his vaccinations and paperwork are in order – keep in mind that if you’re moving to a different state, there could possibly be specific requirements for some animals. Get hard copies of his clean bill of health and certifications of vaccinations; regardless of whether you’re only moving a fairly short distance, it never hurts to have it on-hand to put your landlord’s, neighbors’, or even your movers’ minds at ease.

If your pet has allergies, talk to your vet about any problems he may encounter in his new state and supplemental medication he might need to hold him over until you get a new veterinarian. Consult her with any worries you might have about traveling, including what kind of accommodations she’d recommend if you’re moving by car – safety harnesses and crates each have their unique benefits and flaws, but your veterinarian will know what’s best for your individual pet.

If you’re making a long journey to reach your destination, help your pet get ready for that, too. If he’ll stay in a crate or cage that he isn’t used to, put it somewhere he’ll notice it each day. When he’s comfortable with its presence (and doesn’t regard it suspiciously), put his favorite toy or blanket inside, then praise him after he goes inside to retrieve it. It will help him see it as a safe place and will encourage him to hide there if he feels scared.

When he’s no longer reluctant to enter the crate, carry him throughout the house in it, then around the yard. Try out how he does using the crate inside of the car. If he has trouble, work together with him to get accustomed to it. If you’ll be using a safety harness, practice in a parked car by strapping him into it while you’re sitting next to him. Stay with him, praising him as he sits calmly, and ultimately work your way up to sitting in the driver’s seat. Don’t take him out of your driveway if he’s breathing rapidly or whining; he needs to be relaxed and quiet so you can focus on driving.

Once he’s able to remain calm inside the car, begin with short practice drives on quiet neighborhood roads. Gradually add to the time you’re out and work up to highways and interstate roads. Give him a couple weeks to get accustomed to it and allow him a special treat after every successful car ride. If he continues to have anxiety and you worry he won’t have the ability to handle the stress of a long trip, speak to your vet.

Try to keep your four-legged friend away from the moving process as much as possible. Put him in a separate, untouched room with just a few toys as you pack other areas. You may not be able to prevent him from seeing the empty space later, but you can spare him the overwhelming process of watching his surroundings slowly disappear before his eyes. If he seems nervous, comfort him in a calm voice and reassure him that everything is OK. If you’re calm, it helps him to relax.

Pack up his things last and leave him a couple of toys along with a blanket so he doesn’t feel completely cut off from familiarity. Ensure that his box is clearly marked and kept somewhere separate where it won’t get pushed to the back of the moving van. The quicker you can get his stuff into his new environment, the better, so you’ll need to be capable of getting to it easily once you’ve arrived.

The night prior to the move, give him some extra love and attention. Moving day is going to be confusing and probably a little scary for him, so give him as much reassurance that you can before hand. Don’t overdo it by smothering him with dramatic hugs; just spend a little bit more time rubbing his belly or chilling out on the couch with him. The idea is to make things feel as normal as you possibly can so that he stays relaxed.
The Day of the Move

One of the best ways for you to ease your pet’s anxiety the day of the move is to do your very best to stay calm. Sure, this is easier said than done in a move, but if you’re losing it, he’s likely to freak out too. Stick to his normal routine as much as possible – if you normally take a morning walk together, still go. The less the move appears to change up the rest of his world, the less he’ll see it as scary.

Keep him separated from the moving chaos as much as possible. You might want to stash him in a quiet, closed-off room along with his water bowl and some toys (and a litterbox for a cat). Pack up this room last, and just enter it to check in on him every now and then. If he seems too worked up over the commotion, ask a neighbor to look after him until right before you’re ready to leave for the new place. He and his supplies should be the last things you gather into the car.

If you’re traveling a far distance by car, you’ll need to pack a supply kit for your pet:

Several days’ worth of food – pack enough so you’re prepared in case your trip takes longer than planned
Plenty of water – birds, reptiles, and small cats should be OK with a couple of bottles over the course of a few days, but larger dogs could need a gallon or even more per day
Any pertinent health records or vaccination certifications
A familiar blanket
A familiar toy that can keep him occupied but won’t be considered a safety risk while driving – avoid anything that could roll under your pedals or come flying into the front of the car
A few days’ worth of any of his medication(s)
Towels for potty or upset stomach accidents
Plastic baggies
Leash and harness
Temporary tags with your cell phone number, future address, as well as a note explaining your move (you don’t want people to misunderstand how they got so far from home)
Pet first aid kit

Keep him restrained the entire car trip, regardless of how calm he seems. A sudden horn honk or unexpected traffic shifts could cause him to panic and try to run, so it’s imperative that you keep his motion limited for both your safety and his own. Speak to him in a steady, relaxed voice if he starts to get worked up, but don’t hesitate to pull over if his behavior seems to be getting too erratic.

Be mindful at rest stops that he may try to dart out the door. For a dog needing a potty break (or maybe a break from the car), keep him restrained or in his crate with the car door shut until he’s securely fastened into his harness. Allow him to stretch his legs, but be wary of oncoming traffic and any other pets that could be nearby. Cats are generally OK without a break for trips under 6 hours, however if you’ll be on the road longer he might need access to a disposable litter box around the six hour mark. And don’t forget to offer water any time you take a break from driving! Remember that even if he’s thirsty, his anxiety could make him unwilling to take a drink, so you may have to encourage him.

When you finally get to your new home, offer him a potty break and a little bit of play time to burn off his pent-up energy. Then, secure him in a room so that you can do a final sweep of the space. Make sure there’s no lingering bleach cleaner in the toilet bowl that your dog might accidentally drink and that all the windows are closed or screened so your cat can’t make a hasty escape. In the event you weren’t able to perform a safety check before, look for those escape routes and cramped spaces. Fix what you can and let others know about risky areas. Let the movers know where you’re keeping your pet – a sign on the door is a fantastic idea – and keep him confined until they’re completely finished bringing everything inside.

If this is the very first time your pet has ever visited, lead him around on his leash and let his nose go to work. Whenever possible, get furniture along with other familiar items moved to similar places as in your previous home. If his food dish was in your kitchen at the old place, it should be in the new kitchen now. Show him that while the location might be new, there are plenty of familiar elements that can help him settle in. Make sure cats know where their litter box is and dogs know where there’s a doggy door or exterior door where they can signal you to go out.

Avoid letting your dog in the backyard unattended unless there’s no chance he’ll be able to jump over or dig beneath the fence. (In case you weren’t in a position to check the fence before your move, assume there’s a loose board he could escape through.) Even if he appears to be adjusting well, he could still get confused and look for more familiar territory. Additionally, there are countless new smells all around him and you can’t say for sure what will make him determined to explore past his boundaries.

Instead of venturing out for dinner your first night, consider ordering in and keeping your pet company. He could easily get destructive if left alone in a new place, and he’ll appreciate the extra attention after a stressful day. Ensure that you’re using his regular food dish and that you unpack his box of stuff first. After dinner and down time, he is able to pass out in his cozy, familiar bed and you may start decorating your new home.

Settling In

As you start to get moved in your new home, get right back to your pet’s normal routine. In the event you changed time zones, make the adjustment immediately: if he normally eats breakfast at 7, feed him at 7 even if it seems like 5 a.m. to your pet. It won’t require much time for his body to catch up to the adjusted schedule, so stay consistent.

Ask your neighbors for recommendations on good veterinarians, and make an introductory appointment as soon as possible. You will not only already have a doctor to contact in the event of an emergency, it’ll be a much less stressful means for your pet to meet him. Get updated tags and update the information in his microchip if he has one. Discuss any environmental changes that could impact your pet’s health or happiness; as an example, if you’ve just moved from a mild climate to a desert town in the southwest, you’ll want some tips on helping him adjust to high temperatures. If you have a small dog or a cat that goes outside sometimes, you’ll wish to ask about animal predators to watch out for, also.

Keep a close eye on your pet’s behavior to find out how he’s adapting. You might want to take a few extra days off with particularly anxious pets, but don’t coddle them too much. Spend time with them, but make an effort to leave your house for increasing intervals. The more that he is aware that you aren’t leaving him in a strange new place all by himself, the more he’ll be able to relax when you reach for your keys.

It will take time, but your pet will adjust eventually. Once he realizes that he’s in a safe place and most other things have stayed the same, he’ll love his new home so much that he won’t have the ability to remember living anywhere else.

If you are planning to relocate to Tampa or the surrounding areas, Nick & Cindy Davis can assist you with your move. We have relocated so many times throughout our life, we know what it is like to move to a place where you do not know anyone. You can reach us at 813-300-7116 or simply click here and we will be in touch.

Take a look at a few of the most recent homes that came on the market here in the Tampa Area.

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13718 Orange Sunset Drive #202, Tampa, FL

13718 Orange Sunset Drive #202
Tampa, FL

$149,500
- Lot Size
  
  436 sqft
- Home Size
  
  899 sqft
- Beds
  
  1 Bed
- Baths
  
  1 Bath
- Year Built
  
  1976
- Days on Market
  
  1