If you’re a pet owner, you probably know all too well how pets become part of the family and come along on the many journeys of life.
This includes when it’s time to pick up and move to a new home, and anyone who has moved knows it can be a stressful time for the whole family – even our furry companions!
“It’s one of those things that with all the stresses of moving and making sure everything is in place and ready to go, people seem to forget about their pets,” said Paul Edwards, the operations managers for the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Des Moines, Iowa location.
When it comes to what people should do with their pets while the move is taking place, Edwards recommends taking them someplace else, like a family member’s or friend’s house, or even boarding them for the day.
“A lot of people have put their pets in a certain room and then instructed the movers not to go into that room/area. This works in some cases, but this can cause your pet some extra stress and anxiety.”
Edwards notes that moving is one of the most stressful things for people to do, and how it’s also very stressful for pets.
“It will take time for your pet to become acclimated to the new home. Make sure not to pack all your pets’ belongings, like toys and blankets, and make sure they have access to some familiar items during the move,” he said.
Depending on the type of pet you have, we put together an additional list of tips to help your pets feel more at ease for an upcoming move.
Dogs
Before moving day, it’s a good time to ensure your dog is microchipped and their ID tag is up to date. There are a lot of moving pieces on a moving day, and you want to make sure everyone is safe! For those who have furry friends who can be territorial of their space – which can lead to anxiety when new people come to their home – it may be best to have your dog go to a family or friend’s house until the movers are done.
That way, the dog is less stressed, then when you head over to the new house with your dog, make sure you have their favorite comfort items like a toy, blanket, or bed. Treats are great to bring along as well, making them feel a bit more comfortable on the drive. Lastly, it takes some time for your dog to adjust to their new home, so slowly show them around. If possible, try to stay with them for most of the day until they get acquainted with their new surroundings.
Cats
Just like us, animals have different comfort levels, especially when it comes to their own space and meeting new people. If your cat typically steers away from meeting new people in their home and you have movers coming, it’s best to have your cat in a safe space in your home that they enjoy and make sure to check in on them throughout the day. If there is a friend or family member that can watch them, that could be another option as well.
Now, when the movers are all set, and it’s time to take your fluffy friend to your new home, put them in their crate with their favorite toys and treats to keep them occupied during the drive. Once you get to your new home, slowly introduce your cat to the new space, as too much can be overwhelming.
Fish
Have some fish that you will move with soon? If so, it’s best to place them in bags with a mix of clean water from their aquarium and new water. Then, add rubber bands to the top of the bag and put them in a dark insulated cooler.
Once you get to your new space, set up the tank and have the filter run for a few hours before adding the fish back in the tank. Sometimes, it can be tough, but do your best to limit the fish's time away from their normal tank to less than 48 hours.
Small pets
If you’re a pet owner of guinea pigs, hamsters, or gerbils and have an upcoming move, something you should do beforehand is clean their cage, so it’s all set for moving day. On the day of the move, ensure they have enough food, water, and any of their other favorite items they like, so they’re comfortable on moving day.
It’s important to remember that you want to keep your small furry friends out of direct sunlight, and from any cold drafts, small pets are more sensitive to drastic changes in temperature.
As a reminder, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK does not transport any animals. Before you move it’s important to create a plan for how you will transport them.
For more information on how to set up a move or to see more moving tips, click here!