Making a Move Easier on Our Pets
Moving is stressful on all family members, including our pets, but planning can help make things smoother for everyone
When we decided to move from the rural Ozark Mountains closer to our hometown in Kansas City, Kansas last year, my partner Michael and I knew the move was going to be stressful — not just on us, but for our two cats and three dogs as well.
Our plan was to leave as soon as the movers finished packing up our old home, drive the estimated three hours to our new home and help our furry family settle in for the evening. This would allow them a little time to adjust before the movers showed up the following morning to unpack our belongings. The move did not go as planned.
To start, a morning rainstorm slowed the movers loading our goods in their truck. Once we were on the road, we lost more time to several rounds of sick animals and stops to clean up. Then, additional delays due to torrential rains and even a tornado warning meant we didn't get to our new home until 4 a.m. Once we gave the pets proper baths and tried to get them settled, the movers had arrived.
The worst part of the move, though, came three days later, when we had to let go of Chloe, our 14-year-old black lab. Mostly blind and suffering from severe arthritis and dementia, she just could not adjust to her new surroundings and passed away.
Smooth Moves Requires Planning for Pets
Both Michael and I are seasoned travelers with our pets and thought we had adequately prepared for the move. However, we now know there were some things we could have done to help them prepare a little better.
"Moves with pets require quite a bit of preparation," says Ashley Dalton, manager of learning and development for Zoom Room Dog Training in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
"The more preparation you do with your pets, the more confident and relaxed your pets will be with the move."
Taylor Duffy, a pet behavior consultant in Chicago, agrees. "Preparing for a couple of months prior helps you determine how travel or anxiety medication, if you decide to use those, may affect your pets," says Duffy "The more preparation you do with your pets, the more confident and relaxed your pets will be with the move."
Dalton says one of the first things to do is make sure your pet is current on all vaccines, as well as understanding your pet's tolerance for travel.
"Consulting your veterinarian prior to your move will help you determine if your pets may need anxiety or motion sickness medication prior to the move," she says. "If you give yourself enough time, you can try the medication out on them before the move to ensure they are tolerating it OK."
Pets should also have microchips and collars with tags, in case of an accident or they get loose in an unfamiliar place. Duffy says this is especially important if you have a senior pet.
"Your veterinarian should be able to work with you and your pet and advise you on anything special your senior pet may need before the move, or how to help them cope," she says.
You also must decide how you will move your pets. Some people opt to hire a pet transport service, which lets you focus on your move while professionals handle your pets. This is especially beneficial in long distance moves.
Professional Pet Movers
Shop around, because prices vary widely, depending on distance traveled, mode of transportation, time and date of pickup and delivery, and whether you want your pet to travel alone or with other animals.
Dalton says if you opt for this service, make sure your pet is in trusted hands and you know every detail of the trip, including stops they will make.
If your pets will ride with you, the next step is determining how your pet will be restrained in the vehicle. All pets should be restrained with some type of harness or placed in a carrier. If you use a carrier, Duffy suggested placing it in your old home so your pets can sniff it and get used to it.
Tips Before, During and After the Move
Dalton and Duffy recommend these tips before, during and after the move:
- Take your pets on short rides to get them used to the car and the carrier or harness
- Just as cleaning and packing are time-consuming and stressful for you, it can be the same for dogs and cats. They will notice something is amiss. Set aside time to pet and play with them. "You may even try a dog training class," suggests Dalton. "Training helps dogs build confidence and the more confidence they have the better." Duffy suggests dog-enrichment games to keep them occupied while you're busy. "This will help you know what will help them in the car during the move and after you arrive," says Duffy.
- Pack their belongings last and make sure they are readily accessible when you arrive at your destination.
- Plan your moving day as carefully as possible. If it is a long trip, cats may need a larger carrier with access to a litter box. All dogs are different, but Duffy suggests not keeping them from a potty break for more than six to seven hours. Also, make sure your dogs are comfortable with the leash and always keep them leashed when stopping in unfamiliar locations.
- If it is a very long trip requiring an overnight stay in a hotel, make sure you have everything you need, including food, litter boxes and maybe a pen to contain dogs.
- When you arrive at your new home, know where you will contain your pets while the chaos with the movers is happening. “Putting them in a smaller space such as a bedroom may help them feel more secure,” says Dalton. “Make sure they have familiar things such as climbing trees, beds, scratch posts, toys, food and water bowls and litter box.” Giving your dogs enrichment toys or allowing them to embark on scavenger hunts can help them check out and familiarize themselves with their new surroundings.
- Especially important for senior dogs is to lead them on trips outside, even if they have a fenced yard. This helps familiarize themselves with their new surroundings and gives them comfort knowing you are still their anchor.
More than nine months after our move, our four-legged family members have adjusted to our new home. There are some things we got right. Other things, such as the weather on the day of our move, could not have been planned. There are some things I wish we could do over, especially to help Chloe adjust.
"If your pet isn't adjusting, seems depressed or anxious after the move, calling your veterinarian or a pet behavior consultant may help," says Duffy.
