Moving with Pets
Moving can be an incredibly exciting experience. A new home, surrounded by new people and maybe even a new neighbourhood to explore. On the flipside, it can also be quite stressful. There are strict deadlines that have to be met, and many parties who require clear and frequent communication. Luckily, our pets don’t have to worry about any of this, as they simply don’t know what’s going on or where they’re headed.
However, this can be quite a shock on their systems, which is why you want to ensure that the moving process is as smooth for our pets as it can possibly be. In this article, we discuss some simple tips to help make moving with your furry (or not so furry) friends a little smoother.
Give yourself plenty of time to plan your move. This will help reduce stress for both you and your pet. Planning as far in advance as possible will help you find everything your pet needs before the move, like any nearby pet stores or veterinarians offices. It will also leave you and your pet more time to explore allowing you to discover some new parks and walking paths to enjoy.
If possible make sure to visit the home with your pet a few times before the move. This will help them take in every new sight, sound or smell. If you can, have sleepovers with your pet before you move all of your furniture. Set up their bed, food dishes and toys with you when you visit. This will help them get used to the idea of the new place as part of their territory, and will make the transition smoother.
This is important for both their health and safety. New environments could potentially pose harm to your pet’s health if they aren’t fully up-to-date on their vaccines.
You shouldn’t bring your pet along for the actual move. In fact, try to distance your pet from both homes while the work is done. Find a local friend, family member or pet-sitter to care for them on your moving day. If your pet sees their environment being torn down and moved around by strangers, it could make them incredibly anxious and they could even act erratically.
Following these tips will help you move homes more efficiently when you own a pet. Although the situation is bound to be a tad stressful, with some simple preparation you can make sure the transition is smooth for both you and your furry friend. If you have any other questions about the moving process, don’t hesitate to contact us!