Moving With Pets: 5 Tips For Ensuring Pets Have A Stress-Free Move

Pets are a wonderful addition to any family. They provide us with love and companionship! With that being said it is important to make sure you have an overall plan for your pets during a move so they can enjoy their move as much as possible without worrying about anything.

When moving with pets, there are a few key things to keep in mind when preparing for your move. Some pets may be afraid and apprehensive about the transition. Others may be playful and excited about getting those long legs outside and exploring new surroundings. You’ll have to make sure they are comfortable and not stressed by the move. Pets can be affected by their surroundings and will respond differently depending on how they feel. Given that, here are some ways you can make your pets feel more at ease during their Des Moines and Central Iowa area move by focusing on comfort and safety first before anything else.

1. Put Together an Overnight Kit

Just as you should for yourself and your human family members, prepare a bag or box of essentials for your pets. These are items your animal family members will need the first night and the first few days following the move into your new Des Moines home.

Make sure the kit is easily accessible so you don’t have to spend time searching for it. Along with food and water bowls, include toys, treats, and chew toys to keep them occupied. If possible, include treats that aren’t high in calories or sugars — these will be more likely to keep them occupied during long drives.

Also consider including a favorite blanket or towel that they can cuddle with while they are waiting for their new home to feel like a home again as well as a pillow so they can rest while they are waiting.

2. Have a Plan

There will be a lot going on the day of the move and that can be very stressful for pets who don’t understand what is happening. Moving can be frightening to animals. The chaos and motion can be overwhelming to them. The presence of strange professional movers and boxes of all sizes can be overwhelming. You can ease discomfort in your pets by confining them to a calm and silent room in your home. Your pet may be nervous about being left alone, so make sure that you have a plan for when they will be left for short periods of time. Give them plenty of water, food and a bed or blanket that can be easily carried around with them when needed.

This can be a particularly good idea for pet owners who have concerns about potential escapes. If you want to stop your nervous cat or dog from bolting any time the door opens, this can make for an efficient and solid plan. Your goal should be to do whatever you can to help your pets maintain their basic day-to-day lifestyle.

If possible, try to keep your pet as calm as possible while you are moving—it will make it easier for everyone involved once everything is loaded onto a truck or into storage space at your new home (even if it doesn’t feel like it will be easy at first).

3. Think About the Travel Process

When transporting your pets to the new place, be very cautious about moving them from your vehicle to the inside of your new home. Their senses are likely to be on overdrive with all the new smells and sights, not to mention the stress of the move itself, and it could be a bad situation if they get away from you as they won’t be able to find their way back easily.   

If you want your pets' travel experiences to go smoothly, practice makes perfect. Give them the chance to adjust to their crates by driving them around for brief periods of time. This should make your actual move significantly less overwhelming and confusing to them. 

If you are helping someone else transport their pet, make sure that you are trained in handling animals first so that you know how to handle any emergency situations that may arise during transport.

4. Make Sure Your New Residence is Safe and Secure

A pet-friendly residence is essential for moving success. Your job isn't done once you move into your brand new home. It's actually just beginning. If you want your pets to flourish in their new residences, you have to make sure they get access to a safe and reliable environment.

Hide electrical cords. Cover up any corners that could potentially trap them. Place dependable screens on all of the windows. Do away with any potentially toxic plants that may be accessible to them as well. These measures can all keep your pets safe and happy in their new homes. And of course, check over the fenced in yard to make sure there are no spots that could allow for an escape.

5. Inform Your Vet & Update Your Pet’s Information

Before the move, inform your vet that you will be moving so that you can get any necessary prescriptions filled ahead of time. This will also allow them to update your information or transfer documents to a new vet if you are moving to a new area.

If your pet has a microchip or tags, be sure to update the address on them before you move. If they do escape, you can rest assured that someone will be able to contact you once they are found.

Conclusion

Being sure your pets are comfortable and happy during the move is just as important as the moving process itself. Think about what would make them content and find ways to accommodate that. You can also take small steps to help integrate them into their new home. After all, your efforts will be worthwhile when they get their paws on those favorite treats and toys and settle down in a designated, comfortable space.

Whatever you do, don't leave the emotional health of your pets up to chance. Take it into your own hands by making precautions on their behalf. They'll be eternally grateful to you in the end. Helping your pets move is all about keeping them happy and comfortable. Looking for a pet-friendly, and human-friendly (of course) group of real estate agents for your move into the Des Moines and Central Iowa areas? Give us a call today and let us help you take the stress out of everyones lives as we work to provide you a 5-star red carpet real estate experience!