August 14, 2017 Posted in Moving Essentials

Guide to Relocating With Your Pet

When it comes to relocation, there are so many things you need to consider. This process becomes even more of a worry on your mind if you happen to own a pet. If you’re looking for ways to safely execute a moving with pets adventure, you’ve come to the right place for advice. We will touch on all topics considering their transport, pre-moving care, and common mistakes made in the process. Consider this a Moving With a Pet 101 course. Let’s begin discussing the relocation of your cat and dog.

veterinarian with a dog overlay
Your dogs and cats will safely be transported to a new location.

Looking For A New Home

You may have already checked the general safety of a neighborhood, chosen a new home, found a job before moving to another state, or you may be still deciding what’s the best time of the year to move and where you should move. Whatever reasons to move you might have, revisit the choice, and think about your furry friends. You should consider their needs even while house-hunting since relocating is a highly stressful event for them and they too are prone to relocation depression.

The change of environment, especially the relocation to a smaller home if you’re not relocating to the suburbs, is a huge deal for some pets more than others. Cats, unlike dogs, have a harder time getting used to the new surroundings, so provide them with a safe relocation experience.

While you can’t replicate the interior of your old house in your new home, you can put in an additional effort to have a similar furniture placement and organization, even if you sell or donate some unwanted items. Bringing in their old toys and a cat tree will help with the adjustment. If you and your partner are moving in together, and they were at some point pet owners, they can help you make a new house feel like home faster.

Remember, even though less likely to react, your dog might also have some trouble adjusting to the strange area, so keep that in mind if you’re moving with dogs. You need to make sure that both your dog and your cat have their things with them, that crates, toys, and food are visible, and the attention is given a little more frequently than usual. Spend time with them whenever you can, so that they know they are not alone.

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Preparing Your Cat or Dog For the Move

While you don’t need to talk to them about the big change like you would if you were moving with kids, there are still things that you need to do in the period before relocating with cats or moving with dogs. No matter if you are moving during the holidays or in summer, the most important thing to think about now is your vet giving your furry friends a clean bill of health. Regardless of the way you choose to transport them, you should check which permits your furry friend may need in the state you are going to. For instance, if you’re relocating to one of the suburbs of Chicago, keep in mind that The Office of the City Clerk requires all dogs above the age of four months to obtain a city dog license.

If your pooch doesn’t have a permit or the state doesn’t allow it to enter, you may be risking something more than a nuisance. Most states and countries will look for the vaccination records for your dog or cat, so be sure that you’re all up to date. It would be good practice to ask for recommendations for choosing a vet even before you make the move. You will need to update their microchip information as soon as you change your place of residence. If you plan on living in Boston, Every dog owner is required by state law to obtain a license for their furry companion each year.

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Pick out the vet even before you relocate

Transporting Your Pet

There are a few ways you can choose to transport your furry friend. You can decide to bring them with you in your car unless you plan to learn how car shipping works, hire a company for auto shipping services and ship your vehicle to your future address. If you decide to book long-distance movers to transport your car across the country, you’ll travel by plane and transport them inside a carrier. Some people use pet-transporting agencies to execute their move. While all of these can have plenty of advantages and disadvantages, we are going to list the most common ones.

If you opt for the car trip, you’re in for a long drive. Making frequent stops won’t exactly help you expedite the move, but it will be necessary. There are a few things that can happen, most of them related to the amount of time the animal has to spend in the car. While most dogs either love or hate car rides, this one won’t be much fun for them. On the bright side, you get to spend time with them throughout the trip, not worrying about how they are taking it. Just ensure you place all the things they might need during the trip on your relocating to another state checklist.

While on the plane, you might not have contact with them, and that can be frustrating for you as well as for the animals that have to endure the flight in the cargo area. Pet-transporting solutions are great, but you will be putting your companions in the hands of complete strangers.

All of these are valid options – you just need to choose which one works best for you and follow some general moving day tips. The most significant advantage of moving alone to another state with your furry friend is that you’re never really alone, so try to make this experience as pleasant as possible.

Common Mistakes When Moving With Pets

If you’ve never moved your pet before, you’ll be prone to making some common moving mistakes. Some of them may be less, some more serious, but either way, you shouldn’t risk it. You don’t want your cat or dog to suffer – you want to be kind to them during this period of transition. Let’s dissect some of the common issues that can come up:

Letting Your Pets Roam Free During the Morning of the Move

If your cats get riled up before the actual move, or during the morning before the relocation, they may experience some moving stress during transport. You can’t let them roam around and be exposed to the mess and the chaos that will happen when you start unpacking after the move. They should be kept in a separate room, where things are neat and calm, without being exposed to the hustle and bustle of the relocation day.

kitten in a wooden transporter waiting for long distance moving overlay
Protect your furry friend from unnecessary stress during the relocation day

Avoiding to Get Good Moving Services

If your home is in a constant state of chaos before the big day, your pet will likely suffer. It’s impossible for them not to feel bad energy or your anxiety about moving out when you can’t meet some relocation deadlines. Not to mention that their only home is completely upended. If you have trouble executing the move on your own, you may want to seek the moving services of a highly recommended professional company.

Your mental state will change, and all of your household items will be packed and ready for a move within days. Choosing the cheapest way to move out of state to help you reduce costs when moving might not be the best for your pets, so plan the moving budget wisely. Hiring professionals who will come fully equipped with packing materials for moving and know all packing tips and tricks, are also an option, as well as relocating during the cheapest time of the year. Also, creating a household inventory list or even a photo inventory of the stuff you’re taking with you will help you stay in control of the move.

Introducing New Methods and Routines for Your Pet

If you don’t keep the same routine throughout the move, and you start introducing new methods or doing things in their lives, your animal friends are very likely to become disobedient. Their sudden mischief is not uncalled for – they are very well set in their routines and sometimes can’t stand it being altered. Maintain the usual routines, especially the feeding schedule, and go about your business like nothing is going on. Additionally, if you are on the lookout for where to move from Los Angeles, consider pet-friendly towns and cities where you can continue your routines right after the move.

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Exploring new area is a great way for your dog to settle in

Practice Pet Caution

There are many instances where pets can act out during or after the move. You might have trouble finding them a few days after you reach your new residence, as they have been known to hide as a way of dealing with change. We can’t verbally explain to them what is going on, but you can make sure to take extra caution and be as consoling and caring as you can.

Make sure to close off all the areas and exits where your cat or dog can wander off, even though they haven’t tried escaping yet. You should go around your new home and check out all the spots of potential danger to your little beloved furry friend. And if you’ve moved to Oregon’s largest city, ensure you get to know all the spots for pet activities while you’re looking for things to do in Portland.

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Don't leave your doors or windows open your pet might try to escape

Settling in With Your Dogs

When you get the hang of packing clothes and furniture and the whole relocation process it is time to think about your furry friends. If you have more than one pet living with you, settling them in is one of your top priorities, so it should be among the things to consider when relocating to a new state. Don’t assume that your dogs will settle in just fine, but keep an eye on them and provide plenty of toys for them to play with.

Take them exploring as soon as you can, so that they can get used to the area and unfamiliar people. Going for a walk around the new neighborhood might help you make friends in a new state, as well. Keep a photo of each pet on your phone in case one of them wanders off looking for a way back home. Move them with caution and have an understanding of their needs in this very sensitive period of their lives.

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