Moving can be both very exciting, but also super stressful for humans and animals alike–in fact, moving is considered one of the top five most stressful life events! So, it’s important to consider the needs of your pets during this busy time in your life. Whether you’re moving just down the street or across the country, there are certainly a few things that you can do ahead of your move that might make the process go as smoothly as possible for everyone involved.
Here are a few tried and true moving tips for pet owners.
Tag/Microchip update
Be sure to update your contact info on all of your pets’ tags and microchips. Since you will be living in a new area, if your pets escape, you want to make sure that people can find you to reunite you and your pet. Make sure to put this task at the top of your moving to-do list.
Acclimate your pets to their crates
Your pets’ crates will be very useful before, during and after the move. So, if your pets aren’t already familiar with their crates, now is the time to do that. Pull them out of storage and leave them accessible in your current home. Encourage your pets to get inside and rest/play. This will ensure that, come moving day, your pet has a familiar place to be.
Keep your routine
Moving is a weird and sometimes unstructured time, but if at all possible, try to walk your dog during the day and feed all of your pets at their regular times. This will help to keep some normalcy in their lives and comfort them. Also, taking time out of your busy moving schedule to play with your pets and take your dog on a walk will help to ease some of the stress you may be feeling during your move. Walking your dog is also a great way to explore your new neighborhood!
Keep buddies together and enemies separate
If you have pets who are bonded, make sure to keep them together (or in close-by separate crates, if traveling by plane) for the move, so that they can comfort one another. Conversely, if you have pets who don’t particularly enjoy one another’s company, keep them apart. The stress of the move can cause animals to act out more than normal and you don’t want to run the risk of having an animal fight during your move.
One last trip to your current vet
If you are moving far enough away that you need to find a new vet, make one last appointment with your current vet for a checkup for everyone and a refill on any prescriptions that they might need. This will buy you some time in your new home, to get settled and find a new vet.
Moving can be a great way for a fresh start in a new place and a good way for both you and your pets to make new friends. Keep in mind that change of any sort can be stressful to animals, so be extra patient and understanding if your pets behave a bit differently during the transition. Once the packing dust settles and you find your new routines, you and your pets are sure to acclimate quickly to life in your new digs!
Whether San Antonio is your new home (Welcome!) or a home you’re about to leave, check out these other dog friendly places to visit in our beloved city:
5 Dog Friendly Places to Enjoy Art in San Antonio
The 15 Best Off-Leash Dog Parks in San Antonio (2021)
Should I Bring My Dog? | Choosing the Best Adventures for Fido
Author: Jenny Jurica
Jenny is a married mother of two humans, one rescued Weimaraner, and four (yes, four) rescued cats. She is a native Texan who is a columnist/contributor for several publications and enjoys spending her free time curled up on the couch with a dog and a couple of cats. Much like the poet Sylvia Plath, Jenny often finds that she, “likes people too much or not at all,” but has never met an animal that she didn’t instantly adore (except for maybe the Komodo dragon at the zoo).
