Tips for Moving Long Distance with Pets
Moving takes a toll on most people, so imagine how anxious it could make your furry friends. Between the chaos of packing everything up, handling the paperwork, and canceling utilities, it can be easy to forget how the upcoming relocation may be affecting your pet.
This article will look at different ways to make the relocation process stress-free and seamless for pets.
Tips for moving with a dog or a cat
- Familiarize them with packing supplies: The sound of tape and the sight of moving boxes are enough for cats and dogs to sense that something is changing. This can trigger or exacerbate feelings of anxiety. We recommend using treats to create a positive link between the pet and moving supplies. For example, a few weeks before the move, you could line up the boxes in a room; let the pet approach, and explore them independently. You can help create a positive association by placing a treat near or inside the boxes.
- Get them used to a crate: Most pets don’t spend a lot of time in a crate, but while moving, they’ll likely have to be placed in a crate so you can focus on driving. During the months leading up to the move, have them slowly acclimate to the crate by feeding them in it. Keep the door open the first few times, then have them eat with the door closed. You can also take your pet out for a short drive to get them used to the car.
- Stick to a routine as much as possible: It’s easy to lose hours while preparing to move. Being off-schedule for a few weeks doesn’t tend to have any significant effect on our overall well-being. But, animals are creatures of habit. They find comfort in routine more than humans. Make your best effort to keep your pet on their schedule through each phase of moving. If you play with them at a specific time, stick to it.
- Hire a sitter: Anxious pets will always be near you while you’re moving items, which can be dangerous for everyone involved. It’s best to have someone take care of them while everything is being loaded and dropped off in the new home. It’s also a good idea to hire a sitter if your pet is suffering from separation anxiety when you leave the new house to work or do errands. Since it’s an unfamiliar environment, having a sitter around for the first few days will help soothe their nerves.
Tips for moving with a fish
● Be mindful of water: The most challenging part of a move for a fish comes during transportation. Don’t pour fresh water into the container you will be placing your fish. Instead, get some water from the top of the fish’s aquarium, and fill half of the container. While on the trip, open the container a few times to replenish the air supply.
● Don’t feed the fish: Fishes can go a week without eating. Stop feeding them two days before the trip. Since you want to keep the water as clean as possible, don’t feed them while traveling.
● Refrain from overcrowding: Use a box with styrofoam lines readily available at aquarium stores, and don’t put them all together. Line the box with one or two plastic trash bags. Plastic containers or buckets are acceptable for shorter moves, not for longer moves, since they can leak toxins into the water.
Tips for moving with birds
● Make sure the car’s temperature isn’t extreme: Birds are susceptible to temperature. So make your car’s AC and heater work fine. Keep them away from direct sunlight.
● Avoid feeding water: While in the car, avoid using water, and provide high water content food instead. This includes cucumbers and watermelon. This will keep the bird dry but hydrated. You can give them water during stops.
● Take enough food: You should have at least a month’s supply of food for your birds. Since changes in food can cause intestinal issues, it’s best to stick up on brands they love. Just in case you can’t find the same in your new city. Then slowly make the switch to new food.
Tips for moving with small pets
● Keep the temperate consistent: Gerbils, hamsters, chinchilla, guinea pigs are susceptible to heat and cold and extreme temperature fluctuations. So keep them away from AC vents and sunlight.
● Keep the cage well-sealed: You can take them in the same cage in which they live. But make sure they’re adequately sealed, so they don’t escape.
● Take them inside: If you are staying at a hotel overnight, bring them in with you. Don’t leave them alone in the car. Book a pet-friendly hotel instead. It will give them a chance to hop, run and crawl around for a bit.
Whether moving long-distance with pets or moving with multiple pets, we hope the above tips help you keep your furry friends calm and happy through the moving days.