People travel with animals more than you think. The latest research shows that only 0.8% of respondents have never taken their furry friends in a vehicle. This should only encourage you if it’s your first time moving with pets. However, know that there will be some things you have to do to make the whole process successful and painless for them and you, as well.
More than seventy percent of households in the United States owned pets in 2020. Now, we all know how the Covid-19 pandemic has made everything even more difficult, but people keep on relocating across the country (in the past two years, more than 15 million people moved). The whole process is challenging and requires a lot of planning. On the other hand, people who wonder how to move with pets when moving to a new state will have to prepare more. The whole process affects you, and imagine how it affects your furry friends.
Many problems can occur when planning a move, especially when there are animals involved. Some issues just can’t be avoided, that’s for sure. But if you do everything to prevent some more significant problems and have an efficient move, then you and your pet will have a painless experience.
One of the relocation hacks that work for sure is to start planning on time. Once you decide to move, get to the planning stuff. From coming up with the moving budget to packing everything, people forget when relocating; dealing with furry friends can be pretty overwhelming. That’s why having everything planned will leave you more free time. And not only will you have a stress-free move, but so will your pet.
There are many things to consider when it comes to picking a new home. The first thing is the size of your pet. If you have a large dog, you need to look for a bigger place with a backyard. A smaller dog or cat will better handle a transition from a house to an apartment.
If you prefer renting instead of buying, you need to check with the landlord if an animal is allowed. It’s best to clear that out in the beginning and avoid any misunderstandings later on. Trying to sneak an animal in is never a good idea. You can easily lose your deposit money once the landlord finds out. It could lead you to another move in a very short period of time, which can be confusing for you and your furry baby.
The neighborhood plays a big role in deciding where to live. Regardless of the reasons for your move, the suitable neighborhood where you’ll live should be checked first. Nearly two million furry friends get stolen in the US. The best way would be to visit the future destination, but we all know that can be quite a challenging task. Luckily, the internet can help you with that. Google Maps will give you a clear picture of where you will live and if that place is suitable. Here are some things you need to ensure the future place has:
The crucial thing you have to do before the move is to check if there is a reliable vet nearby. Check first with friends if they know a good animal hospital and ensure you have the correct address and phone number. You never know when you’ll need it.
You can contact your current vet and ask for a recommendation. This might be the best solution since the current vet already knows the condition of your four-legged friend and might know the right vet you can contact in the future location.
Before you start thinking about who to notify and what the relocation essentials are, make sure the pet’s necessary documents have been gathered. Have them organized with other important documents at home. This is an important step because when the packing process begins, you surely won’t be able to find them in all the chaos.
First, contact the current vet and ask for copies of all the certificates and medical records. A great solution for the environment is to go online and have all the documentation on a cloud. However, some airlines and states prefer physical papers. Before every paper becomes an online file, ensure that there won’t be any problems.
Microchipping is a great solution, too, when relocating to a new home. The unknown surroundings can be quite confusing for some animals. No one can blame them if they wander off. That’s when microchipping can be of great help and have them sent back to the right address.
Choosing the relocation company, as well as checking if it’s legitimate is a task that requires some time. All of your stuff has to be packed and transported carefully. Preparing your vehicle can be just too much between deciding what to get rid of and what to pack. And that’s when you’re wondering whether an open trailer is the right choice, or if you should go for enclosed auto transport. However, the important thing to remember is that your dog or cat requires a lot of care, and it would be best if they could travel with you.
On the other hand, you should know that professional movers aren’t allowed to transport a pet. So, if the pet can’t travel with you, then it’s best to hire specialized transportation services.
When wondering what is the best way to move with pets, the answer is in a car with you. Yes, you’ll have to remove dog hair from the car afterward, but this way, you’ll ensure they won’t feel as anxious and scared as they would if traveling alone. Keep in mind that your furry companion isn’t used to relocation, but doing this will make them more comfortable.
Relocation tips are always welcome, especially when relocating with your furry friends. And if you’ve never asked yourself before do pets know when you are moving, know that they surely do. That’s why all the preparations should be done before the relocation day. Not only will you calm yourself down, but also you will also ease your furry friend into the change.
Relocating is a challenging process, but once you set your priorities – the happiness of you and your pet – it will help you get through it. When relocating long distances, a good solution is to hire a sitter. That way, the animals will be far away from all the chaos on the relocation day, and you can focus on the tasks for this relocation.
However, if a sitter isn’t an option, make sure your four-legged friend gets enough exercise during the day. Morning and evening runs will help them deal with the anxiety much more easily. When it comes to older cats and dogs, you can distract them with new toys and treats.
Once we establish that your four-legged friends should travel with you in the car, you should ensure all of their stuff is packed separately. Although animals will be in their carrier, having their things near is essential. This is one of the tips you shouldn’t omit because you never know what can happen when you’re driving long distances.
Long-distance relocation is exhausting for most people. Now imagine how it’s going to be for your furry baby in its carrier. That’s why you should have one smaller bag filled with your dog’s and cat’s favorite toys and snacks.
If you’ve never done it before, it can seem like too much. But know that you won’t be able to explain to your dogs and cats that you’re almost there. So, if they get nervous in the carrier, an object they know, such as a toy or a blanket, will calm them down.
Moving out of state isn’t a thing you can do in just a few days. It will take time to organize the whole move. The same thing goes for the period after the relocation. There are many things to do after the move, such as unpacking after relocation. However, one thing is for sure; you won’t feel depressed after the move – you’ll have your dog, cat, bird, or whatever your animal friend is.
The important thing to remember is that your furry friend might feel overwhelmed by all the traveling. That’s why you should slowly introduce the new home, room by room. One of the best tips is to give them a house tour while they are still in their carrier.
It would be great if dogs and cats could be introduced to a new home before the actual move. However, if that’s not the case, put some of the old stuff in there before the final settling in. Take care of the place in the house your pet will spend most of the time.
Don’t forget the daily routines of your furry friends. Many animals thrive on those, and if you interrupt some of those routines, they could think something’s wrong. So, once you move and settle in, keep all the exercises, playtimes, and other routines your four-legged friend is used to.
Moving across the country requires taking care of all the tasks you have to do but also keeping an eye on your furry friends. Don’t think they won’t notice something is going on, especially when it comes to adjusting to different locations and houses. So don’t ignore it if you notice some different behavior in your pet. Contact the vet and ask for professional advice. That way, you’ll have a safe relocation, and your furry friend won’t suffer.
