Quick Scope on Moving with Pets: Tips from The Overman Group

Are you dreading the thought of moving with your beloved pets? Imagine the chaos and stress of relocating without proper preparation. The fear of losing track of crucial steps could lead to a disruptive and anxiety-filled experience for both you and your furry friends. But don’t worry—there’s a sense of urgency here, and now is the perfect time to learn how to make this transition as smooth as possible. By acting swiftly and following these expert tips, you can ensure a seamless move for your pets during National Moving Month.

Preparation Before the Move

1. Visit the Vet: The first step when moving with pets is touching base with your vet. Ensure your pet is healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations. Obtain copies of veterinary records and ask for recommendations on managing stress during the move. Your vet can help you make sure that your pets are healthy enough for the move and take any recommended precautions.
2. Update Identification: Update your pet’s ID tags and microchip information with your new address and contact details. This ensures that if your pet gets lost during the move, they can be easily returned to you.
3. Familiarize with Travel Carriers: Gradually introduce your pet to their travel carrier to reduce anxiety. Place treats and toys inside to create a positive association. Working with a trainer can also provide valuable tips and tricks for introducing your pet to travel carriers. We highly recommend Positively Pawsitive Training—they’ve worked wonders with our dogs, Bernie and Comet.

Packing and Moving Day

1. Maintain Routine: Keep your pet’s feeding and walking schedule consistent to reduce stress. Maintaining their routine helps provide a sense of normalcy amid the chaos of moving.
2. Safe Space: On moving day, set up a quiet room with your pet’s essentials, like food, water, toys, and bedding. This helps them feel secure while movers are in the house. Creating a space for them with familiar items can significantly reduce their anxiety.
3. Pet-Sitter: Consider hiring a pet-sitter or asking a friend to watch your pet on moving day to minimize their exposure to the commotion. Having a pet-sitter can ensure your pets are safe and calm while you handle the moving logistics.

Traveling to the New Home

1. Comfortable Journey: Ensure your pet has a comfortable and secure spot during the trip. For long journeys, take regular breaks to let them stretch and relieve themselves. For us, when we travel, our dogs go into a crate inside the vehicle we’re moving in so they feel safe and secure and are together in that space.
2. Calm Environment: Use calming products, such as pheromone sprays or anxiety wraps, to help reduce travel stress. These products can make the journey more comfortable for your pets.

Settling into the New Home

1. Gradual Introduction: Initially, confine your pet to one room with familiar items. Gradually introduce them to the rest of the house. This method helps them adjust slowly and reduces their anxiety in the new environment.
2. Maintain Routine: Stick to their regular feeding, walking, and playtime schedule to help them adjust. Keeping their routine consistent will help them feel more at home.
3. Explore Together: Spend time exploring the new home with your pet, providing reassurance and treats to create positive associations. Make sure to spend quality time with them to ease the transition.

Moving with pets requires extra care and attention, but with these tips, you can ensure a smoother transition for both you and your furry friends. When you’re ready to make that next move with your pet, give us a call. We’re here to help.

Need more tips or have specific questions? Reach out to The Overman Group—we’re always here to assist you and your pets through every step of your move. Happy moving!