Call McGuire - 
Moving can be stressful for your entire family, including your furry friends. As you know, leaving your house for 10 minutes can sometimes be a traumatizing event for your pets, so even if you are just moving down the street to a new place it could likely be a big deal for them.
Here are a few tips to help make the transition go smoothly for them, too.
Dogs
Some dogs can be territorial over person and property so moves can cause anxiety for them when new people are around, or if there is a lot of commotion in your home. It is always a good idea to have a some treats ready for when the movers arrive. This will often help relax your puppy dog(s) until they get comfortable with your movers. If they are comfortable with it, they (the movers) may even want to give your pup(s) a few treats.
When driving to your new home, it is best to use a crate or dog cage to ensure the safety of your pet and everyone in the car. Also, this creates a feeling of security for them.
Be sure to check-in with your veterinarian before you complete your move to ensure they are healthy enough for travel. If your dog is acting pretty stressed, then your vet might be able to provide them with anxiety medication to help calm them down. This would also be a good time to ask if your vet has any recommendations wherever you are moving.
Familiar smells are very important to dogs and cats so bring objects they are familiar with such as a bed, toy, or blanket during transit to help keep them relaxed during the transition.
BIG ONE: Make sure to update your contact information on the dog collar in case they were to go missing.
Cats
Just like with some dogs, cats are also known to be very territorial at times so try to keep them away from the commotion as much as you can. If you are able to provide them with a quiet room/space during the move it will help minimize stress for them. Plus, they will be less likely to escape through any open doors during the move.
Bring familiar objects like a toy, bedding, etc.. to help give them a sense of normalcy. Similar to dogs, cats have a heightened sense of smell so these familiar objects will help relieve some of their anxiety over the move.
Crates or cages is the best way to transport them to their new furever home. This will give them their own space to help keep them comfortable during the trip.
To help them acclimate to their new environment it is good to slowly introduce your cat to their new digs by limiting them to one room at a time.
Fish
Traveling is very tough for fish, so the best option is to place them in a bag of new and clean water from their aquarium with nothing else in the bag. Place the bag in an insulated cooler during transport to help keep the water temperature consistent.
Once you get to your new location, then let the filter in their tank run for a few hours before returning fish into their tank to clear out any dust/dirt that might have been picked up during the move. It is best to limit their time away from their normal habitat to less than 48 hours.
Small Pets
Temperature changes are very important to smaller animals like gerbils, guinea pigs and hamsters so you will need to keep an eye on that.
Smaller pets like these are able to travel in their normal habitats/cages, but be sure the cages are sealed properly so they don’t get out during the move.
These are just some tips to hopefully help your pets healthy and safe during your next move so it is a successful one.
Thanks for reading!
Here are some other resources to help with your next move:
Things To Check When Choosing A Mover
Make Your Move Easier On Your Children
Photo Credit: Zimmer Creative/Shutterstock by Susan Schmitz
