Often, as we prepare to move we become so caught up in all of the planning and hard work that we forget that we aren’t the only ones moving; are pets are too. And if you think moving is stressful for you, imagine how stressful it is for your pets?! They have no idea what is going on. All they know is that their humans have been acting really odd and moving a bunch of stuff around for days or weeks. However, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your pets are not only more relaxed and happy during your move but safe as well.
Prepare A First Night Kit
Just as I always recommend to my clients that they prepare a “first night kit” for themselves to make their lives easier, I think it is always smart to do the same for your fur babies. The last thing you are going to want to do is drive yourself crazy looking for the essentials like something for them to play with after a long and exhausting moving day. Not to mention, your pets are likely to be on edge after being taken from their known home and brought into this new environment.
Here is a list of essentials to include in your pet’s first night kit:
- Food dishes and food
- A few favorite toys
- A special treat like a new bone or catnip
- A bed or crate if they have one
Try To Find A Pet Sitter For Moving Day
You would be shocked to learn how many tragic accidents happened with pets on moving day. People constantly going in and out are a recipe for disaster. Not to mention, it can be very, very stressful for pets to watch everything that is going on during a move. Therefore, it is best that you find someone to watch your pets somewhere separate from all of the chaos. If you don’t have a friend or family member that can do this for you, there are fantastic services out there like Wag in which you can hire someone to pet sit for you during the move for a nominal fee.
Plan For Potty And Play Breaks For Long Distance Moves
If you will be moving long distance and bringing more active pets like a dog with you, you need to plan to take breaks for them to go to the bathroom and stretch their legs a bit. Especially, if your moving day will be dedicated by a timeline or schedule. For every two hours of driving, it is suggested that you plan at least a 15 minute break for the fur babies to be able to eat and drink water if they need to, do a bit of running or walking, and of course go to the bathroom too.
Update Your Pets Chip & Collar Info
If your dog or cat has been microchipped, that chip is linked to an account with your information. This information is what is used to return your pet to you if they should get lost somehow. Before you move, it is very important that you update that information with your new address and anything else that may have changed. You should also get a new collar tag made as needed.
Find A New Vet
Finally, it is a good idea to plan ahead by finding a new vet in your new city. You can always ask your current vet if they have any suggestions but if they don’t you can also go online and conduct some research. Vets operate much like regular doctors in that they will not treat or give advice about animals that they have not yet seen. In other words, they need to be a current patient. So it is also a good idea to book an initial visit/check up at the new vet once you move to ensure your pet is adjusting well, in good health, and can be readily seen by the vet if something comes up.
Moving To Mount Pleasant?
I couldn’t be more thrilled for you! Mount Pleasant is one of the most spectacular cities not just in South Carolina but in the country as a whole. The people are friendly, the seafood is sensational, the education is bright, and the economy is booming! However, no matter how wonderful a new city can be, finding the right home and navigating a relocation can be challenging to say the least!
That is where I come in!
As your Mount Pleasant relocation specialist, it is my job to make sure you get the home of your dreams at the best possible price and that the entire transition goes as smoothly as possible. So if you are thinking or planning to move to Mount Pleasant, give me a call, and don’t forget to grab your copy of The Definitive Guide To Relocating To Mount Pleasant.
