Moving With Pets Tips

When moving cross-country, some individuals choose to drive their vehicles. They load up with their pets and take off on what they assume will be fun road trips. Sometimes, that might be exactly how a person’s travels turn out. However, on other occasions, it might be a better idea to hire car shipping companies. 

The latter is especially true when pets and kids are part of the picture. They can seem unbearable at times, like after you have to stop for the twentieth time for a potty break in what seems like an hour.

By letting a professional shipper transport your vehicle, you and your pets can travel in another way. For example, if getting the trip over and done with is your primary concern, flying could be the perfect solution. Then, instead of it taking you days to drive through state after state, you and your animals can be cross-country and in your new home in a matter of hours. 

This makes the trip less stressful for you and your pet. Just make sure you check with airlines first so you know their rules on flying with pets.

If you choose to travel by car with your pet, and the trip will take more than one day, you should do some research ahead of time to find pet-friendly hotels along the route. The last thing you’ll need is to get tired out on the open road and not be able to locate a place to sleep. That could lead to you having to pull over somewhere to pass out in the car, and that might not be safe. So, ensure you have some pet-friendly places to stay to make the experience more enjoyable for you and your pet. 

If you can’t find any pet-friendly hotel chains where you’re traveling, you can also look for dog boarding services. Along with a place to stay, many of these services have staff that can provide pets with overnight care. In this way, you can leave your pet with the service while you check into a hotel.

When moving with pets, letting them roam free around the vehicle may not be the best idea. That’s because if he or she poses a distraction to the driver, an accident could occur. Hence, to keep you and your pet safe, put them inside a kennel or carrier during the drive. And if you have multiple pets, give them their own kennels to prevent problems like fights from breaking out.

Even if you have the most well-mannered and well-behaved dog, cat, bird, or something else, accidents can happen. And, when they do, you’ll want to be sure to have paper towels and cleaning supplies handy. You might want to include some type of air freshener or odor eliminator in the kit, too. Then, you will be prepared to tackle different dilemmas as they arise.

It isn’t hard to overlook things with so much happening during a move. But if you have a canine, you definitely won’t want to forget a leash. Sure, the pooch will be inside the car in a kennel most of the time. However, that isn’t necessarily where they will remain for the entire trip. For example, when you stop to eat, hopefully, the restaurant has a pet-friendly area where you can let your dog out to use the bathroom.

Or, what if you go to a rest stop along the way? The pup is going to want to go out to stretch his or her legs. You don’t just want to let them roam free, though. That could be a recipe for disaster, particularly if they run away, bite someone, or take off into traffic. So, have a leash on hand and ensure that your pet remains by your side when you’re out of your vehicle.

If you think moving is stressful on humans, what about skittish dogs? They are often nervous and easily excitable. As such, these animals can become stressed and start feeling overwhelmed when the packing begins. Meanwhile, cats, in general, aren’t big on change. Hence, the sudden presence of packaging materials in your house might cause your feline friends some distress, as well.

It may seem like there’s no way around this, as you will need boxes and bags to pack your belongings. However, if you get packing materials early in the process and bring them into your home, that may help your pet get used to their presence. Then, the dog or cat can get more comfortable with the change before the boxes start popping up everywhere.

You should probably take the time to pet-proof your new home before you move in with your furry friends. For example, you’ll need to pick up extension cords that might be out and about. They shouldn’t be left as-is because a pet could chew through the wires and get shocked or electrocuted.

It is also a good idea to block off nooks and crannies where your animals can get stuck. After all, the last thing you’ll want to be doing after arriving at the place is having to cut out drywall or bust tile to get the little one out from somewhere. Additionally, take a look at the structure’s window screens. If there are any missing, they should be replaced so that your pet doesn’t jump out of a window and get hurt.  

You might want to bring your pet’s favorite toys and bed with you on this trip. Then, you can put them in a particular room, which can be called the animal’s “home base.” It can be tempting just to turn your dog or cat loose to let them explore after arriving at a new house. However, that can sometimes be quite overwhelming for them. So, consider introducing your pet to a single room to help them become comfortable with the environment and situation.

Anxiety can become a problem for pets when their routines get disrupted. Thus, as a pet owner, you should do your best to keep disruptions at bay or, at least, minimize them. That will help the animal see that everything is the same as usual, and they’ll feel safe. Therefore, if you take the pet out for morning and evening walks each day, continue those activities. Or, do you feed pets at particular times? If that’s the case, stay on point with the feeding schedule.

Lists of things owners do with their pets regularly will vary. They can also genuinely go on and on. With that being said, just be sure to stick to your routine as best as possible before, during, and after the move. That will help keep your pet comfortable and relaxed throughout the ordeal.

Even with so much happening, you’ll still need to find the time to go to your pet’s current vet. That’s because if you’re moving far away, you probably won’t be coming back there. As such, you need to obtain the animal’s health records. Then, you’ll have them on hand to give to the new veterinarian. Not only that, but you might want to get your pet a checkup while you’re at it.

Finding out your pets have a clean bill of health will give you peace of mind because you’ll know it’s safe for them to travel. Also, maybe you should ask the vet if anti-anxiety medications are right for your pet. The pills or tablets could calm the animal, making the journey easier on them all the way around.  

Your veterinarian could also give you referrals for a new vet in the area where you’re moving.

If you don’t want to be packed into a car like sardines with the family, the pet, and everything else, a pet transporter could be the solution. Today, some companies relocate animals for owners. Hiring one of them can make the trip easy for you. However, keep in mind that going this route could make things rough for your pet. After all, they will be left in the hands of a stranger, and they’ll be traveling on a plane or in the back of a vehicle without you.

Still, this is a legitimate way to transport pets. Pet transport companies can be especially helpful if you’re traveling a long distance and you don’t have the time to research factors like airline regulations and import requirements. Don’t merely sign up with the first company that you find, though. That could be problematic, particularly if you land with a business that isn’t trustworthy and reputable. Instead, do some research and get with the transporter that you and your pet deserve.

Credentials are one thing you’ll definitely want to look into. Professionals with stellar reputations are often registered with the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association, International Air Transportation Association, and Animal Transportation Association. Endorsements from such organizations can show you that the transporter practices professionalism. These certifications will also indicate that companies have the right equipment and expertise for keeping your pet safe and comfortable during transport. 

Also, don’t be afraid to ask for references and referrals from family, friends, and even your veterinarian.

Don’t make moving with a pet or pets harder than it has to be. Rather, use these tips to ensure your move goes smoothly. You can also use professional services such as dog boarding and pet transporters to help ease your move with your furry friends. It’s also best to make sure your pet has plenty of time to adjust to the move so he or she won’t stress out too much.

Just be sure to do something to make the move easier because doing nothing and hoping for the best could result in you and your pet having a terrible time.