Whether it’s across town or across the country, moving is stressful for everyone involved, and that includes your pets! True, they’re not packing boxes, sorting things, making arrangements, renting trucks or filling out change-of-address forms, but they can feel just as tense, unsettled, and anxious as you, maybe even more, since they don’t know quite what’s up with all the upheaval.
Our family just completed a move across state lines, complete with huge moving truck, scores of boxes and loud ripping of packing tape for days on end. Our dog, Polly, was fortunate enough to have a dog friend with whom she could stay, a familiar home-away-from-home where we could take her during the move. We hope that this helped Polly avoid alot of the anxiety that comes with seeing, smelling, and hearing all the upheaval of a house being moved, as well as the tension pets intuit from their humans in times of change and busyness.
If you have a safe and familiar place for your pet to stay during much of the packing and moving, I recommend it. If not, you may find these tips helpful for reducing your pet’s stress before, during, and after the move:
--If you are packing yourself (and not having a moving company do it), try to pack slowly, over a number of weeks (a box here and there) so that your pet can get used to seeing, hearing, smelling and being around packing materials.
--Try to keep your pet’s daily routine and schedule as normal as possible for as long as possible.
--Keep any eye on your pet; many small animals tend to hide in boxes out of fear or nervousness, so make sure you know where your pet is before sealing any box or closing up the truck. Keep in mind that a house full of boxes, or one that’s open all day with people and things moving in and out can be a very unsafe place for a pet.
--If your new home isn’t far from your old place, a visit to the new home (at least the new neighborhood) would be a fun way to introduce your pet to his/her new digs in the weeks before the move.
--Make sure your pet keeps his/her collar and ID tags on; if your pet does not have a microchip yet, this is also a nice way to ensure that if your pet does get lost, the local shelter will know how to reach you. Remember to update your contact information with the microchip provider as well.
--If you’re moving far enough that you’ll be changing veterinarians, make sure to get a copy of your pet’s records and keep them with your important files.
--If you’ll be transporting your pet by car, visit sites like www.petswelcome.com, where you can find lists of pet-friendly hotels along your route. Follow all the normal pet-safety rules as usual (not leaving your pet in a hot car or for long periods of time, etc). Some pets benefit from a mild sedative for plane or car trips; ask your veterinarian. Also, if your pet has a sensitive stomach, bring water from home for the trip and for the first few days in the new place.
--Make sure your pet is secured and accounted for at all times while you’re moving in, and try to set up a safe space in the new home immediately-- a nest of sorts, complete with familiar-smelling bedding and toys. Some pets might feel more comfortable being confined to a small room throughout those first few days in the new place; others might want to be by your side as much as possible.
--Once you’re in the new place, keep your pet confined until you are sure he or she will not wander off or attempt to return to the old home (cats are more prone to this than dogs and might need to be confined for weeks). Remember that, just like humans, animals need time to adjust to the new sounds, sights, smells, and spaces of a new neighborhood.
--Let your pet explore the new home room by room as he/she seems comfortable.
--If your pet misbehaves a bit initially or seems to forget established rules, go easy on them—this is one of the few ways they have of letting you know they are feeling stress or are uncertain about the new routine or space. Give lots of love and affection and remember that change can be tough for everyone!
Remember: you know your pets best, so do what feels right for you. Just be careful not to let them get “lost in the shuffle” either physically or emotionally! If you can keep your pet’s routine as normal as possible both before and during the move, and establish a fun and comfortable new routine as soon as you arrive in your new home, your pet will thank you for it!
Ashley Denham Busse has worked part-time for Doggywalker.com since 2006. Doggywalker.com is a professional pet-sitting company located in Old Town Alexandria, celebrating 10 years of providing daily walks and customized in-home pet care. Visit www.doggywalker.com or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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