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Moving to a new place is not an easy feat. Include a furry friend in the process, and it can become even more difficult.
Although the various moving parts involved in a successful move can get tricky, it doesn’t have to be much of a challenge if you follow the right steps. Instead, it can be an exciting milestone. Check out the following tips on how to carry out a smooth move with a family pet—or a few!
Keeping Your Pets Safe While Moving
According to movers in Plano, If you plan ahead, you should have everything you need, no matter what happens along your journey. Pack an easily accessible bag—something that won’t sink to the bottom of an unlabeled, messy box that you’ll have to dig through in a pinch—with different items that can help you take care of your pet and keep them happy during the move.
Whether you’re moving interstate or local, keeping those fur babies entertained will let you focus on other tasks. Some items you’ll want to consider stocking in your supply pack are: ID tags or collars, leashes or harnesses, carriers or cages, food, favorite toys, baggies for droppings during any roadside pit-stops, and maybe even a comfy pet bed or blanket if it’s a long trip and you’d like them to nap in the car.
Pets can easily become anxious, so try to stay calm if you want them to do the same. This is also a good time to get them microchipped in case of any accidental runaways.
What to Do Before Moving With Your Pet
Create your strategy in advance. You’re less likely to run into an emergency—and more likely to know what to do if something unexpected happens—if you have backup plans. The more time you give yourself to think through how this will work, the better.
If you’re traveling with a less predictable furry companion, good planning will make your trip a stress-free adventure. Keeping checklists, emergency contacts like vets, and other resources with you is always a good idea to help you feel prepared.
If you haven’t traveled much with your pet before, try having them tag along on a few errands before your move. It’ll give you a better sense of how they will behave in a car and react to the sights, sounds, and motion on the road.
You may be surprised to hear that some pets even get carsick, just like people can, so keeping a few extra paper towels on-hand is a smart tactic, too.
What to Do After Your Move With a Pet
If you’ve just arrived in your new home, congratulations! You’ve probably been looking forward to getting there, settling in, and making new memories with your furry family member and travel buddy.
When you arrive, keep in mind the importance of pet-proofing your house, condo, or apartment—even before you start setting up your own things.
Show them around the house so they can sniff around and get accustomed to their surroundings early on. Use their bowls, beds, and toys to designate their eating, sleeping, and main play areas. Make sure small, potentially dangerous objects they might try to eat are removed from their reach.
Consider putting up temporary baby gates if there are rooms you don’t think it’s a good idea for them to get into—at least until they get used to the new space and you’ve had time to train them on what is and isn’t allowed.
With the right strategies in place, you can kick back and enjoy that new space with your favorite companion.
