We all know that moving is never an easy task. There are many different aspects that all need attention throughout the process, from beginning to end. You need to make sure that everything is in order, or risk spending more than you wanted or even worse, forgetting something. It can be a difficult thing to do, especially when you are not alone. Moving with a family, pets, or kids can all create more hassle and stress than simply moving yourself. Thankfully, many people have moved with pets before, and many hints and ideas have been shared in order to make the process easier for those who are facing this situation.

Relocating with your pets is a big undertaking. So big, in fact, that many pets get taken to the local pound or given away. Many people simply do not have the time or patience to handle moving and the care of their animals at the same time. A pet, however, is a member of the family, and it cannot be easy to give them up. Keeping your animals should be a priority when you are moving to a new home, and this situation can be traversed easily with a little bit of effort and a lot of organization.

Getting Ready to Go

No matter what kind of pet you have, there are a few very important steps that you need to take to get them ready for a move. Making sure to include them in the moving checklist and actual planning of the move is important. If the pets are part of the planning from the very start, it will be easy to integrate them into the various parts of a move that will have an impact on them. Each particular pet will need specific things throughout the moving process, but there are a few things that you can do no matter what kind of animal it is.

A visit to the veterinarian is a must for all pets. Each animal that you are moving should have a clean bill of health before you attempt to bring them somewhere new. Your vet can provide you with your records as well. Some cities or states have restrictions on animal types or vaccinations. You need to be aware of these rules and make sure that your pet is up to date and legal in the place that you are moving to. Make sure to take a copy of your records and put it will your important papers and moving checklist.

Every pet needs things on a daily basis that cannot be forgotten. Just like with you, your pet needs a travel box that will not be loaded into the truck rental or moving truck. This box will travel with the pet and should include things such as food, bottled water, toys, bedding, identification, and treats. Clean up supplies might also be a good thing to put in these travel boxes. Remember, most long distance moving companies will not transport chemicals as they are hazardous, so packing them in your pet’s travel box is a good way to avoid wasting them or having to throw them away.

Pet Specifics

There is a wide variety of pets out there that you can own. Because of this, moving your pets can mean that you need to take specific and special actions in order to ensure their safety and health throughout the move. Each individual pet is special, and only you as the owner can be on top of the special needs of some pets. Be sure to discuss car sickness or extreme behaviors with your vet before you leave. Some cases may require special medications or sedatives. Some of the most common pets out there today include dogs, cats, birds, fish, and reptiles. Each of these types requires different needs when being transported outside of their comfort zone.

Dogs

The most important thing that you can remember when you are moving with a dog is that they thrive on the rituals and routines that make up their days. It is best if you follow these routines as close as possible, even if you are moving. If you are driving to your new location, make sure to keep their feeding times as close to normal as possible. Try to allow them exercise time on their normal routine as well. For example, if you normally take your dog for a walk at noon, then plan to make a pit stop at noon on your way to your new home in order to walk your dog.

For longer journeys, make sure that you book accommodations that are pet friendly. Many hotels may require a deposit or an extra fee, so be prepared by putting this into your budget. Many people also choose to fly their animal to their new home, and most airlines are happy to provide this service. This may be a bit easier on you, especially if you are planning on flying yourself or taking a method that does not involve driving to your destination. Keep in mind that this would require a plane ticket for your pet as well as the need for a sturdy crate. Remember to follow all of the guidelines set forth by the airline in order to get the most from your money and avoid any problems that may come along the way. Keep in mind that truck rentals for moving are not made to transport pets. If you plan on moving yourself, make sure that you do it in a way that will allow your pet to ride in the same area that you are going to ride. in.

Once you arrive at your new home, make sure to supervise any exercise that you allow your pet. Do not, under any circumstances, allow your dog to roam free. They may get lost and confused in a new area, making it harder for you to find them before they are injured or killed. Try to confine your dog to a small area for the first couple of weeks. Many dogs will show destructive behaviors under the stress of the move, and confinement will allow you to keep this to a minimum. Remember to resume a normal feeding and exercise routine as soon as you possibly can.

Cats

Before you start upending your home in order to get everything packed, you need to think about your cat. While most felines are independent and do not need much to keep them happy and busy, they will still feel the extreme stress of a move. Make sure to provide a quiet place for them that is outside of the hustle and bustle of the move. Make sure that you move their food, water, and litter box into this area, and ensure that it can be contained so that they do not escape. Lock the door and place a letter on the door notifying anyone who might open the door that there is a pet inside.

All cats need to be transported inside of a sturdy carrier. You can fly a cat, much like a dog if you want to take that route, but it is just as simple to drive with them instead. Remember, however, that you should never ever try to transport your cat in the back of a moving truck rental. Temperatures inside can reach extremes, and can be fatal to pets. Likewise, never leave your cat in a car for more than a few minutes. You should always try to keep the temperature comfortable for you and your cat.

Once you have arrived at your new home, confine your cat to a single room until your home is set up. Allow them to leave the room at their own accord. Never force your pet to leave an area that they have gotten comfortable with, as this can lead to behavioral stress related issues. Make sure to place litter boxes where they can get to them easily, and allow them time to get used to things. Do not allow outdoor cats outside until they are sufficiently acquainted with your home.

Birds, Fish and Reptiles

Small animals are a lot easier to move than larger pets. While they each still require special needs to be met during a move, you will not have to worry about it as much as you would with an animal that does not live in a cage. Make sure to purchase appropriate travel cages that will allow your animal a space to ride in while maintaining safety.

Birds can really stay in their own cage, but they should be covered at all times. This keeps them away from the fast moving world that runs by when you are driving on the interstate. It will also keep the drafts out of the cage, as birds are particularly susceptible to illness due to drafts. Try to keep food and water available to them throughout the drive and never leave them unattended. Just like with other types of pets, do not try to transport them in truck rentals for moving and do not leave them in a hot or cold car for any length of time.

Fish need to be transported outside of their tank. Plastic bags half filled with water is probably the best way to move these animals, as long as you make sure there is enough oxygen in the bag so that they can breathe. Make sure that the moving services you hire load the tank and supplies last so that they can be unloaded and set up first when you arrive at your new home. This will make moving fish much simpler.

The needs of a reptile when moving can vary depending on the type. Most reptiles need some kind of heat source in order to thrive, but many of them will go into a hibernation period if it is taken away. This is a good thing if you are moving these animals, as they will not be as alert to the stress of the move. Most of these animals can be placed into small plastic containers with secured lids. Make sure to poke air holes in the top of the container that you plan on moving and verify that the lid is not going to come off.

Moving Pets and Saving Money?

Most people might think that it is hard to save money on a move when you are moving with pets, but these people would be wrong. There are plenty of ways to save money on a move, even if you have to take special steps to ensure that your pets arrive to your new home safely. Many moving services are happy to work around the needs that you have when you need to move specialty items like large fish tanks or cages. Simply talking to the representative of the moving companies or truck rental companies that you want to work with will give you an idea of what services are available. Be sure to include all of this information to them when you are working on getting moving quotes.

No matter why you find the need to move, it is important that you not leave any family member behind. This includes animals that have found their way into your heart. Our pets are more than just pets, they are full out members of our family unit, and as such, they need to be treated with the respect and love that we provide to any human members of our family. While it will take a little bit of extra time and effort, moving with your pets can not only be rewarding for you both, but it can be accomplished without a lot of hassle. Remember, planning is the most important part of a move, so make sure to include your pet in the plans from the very moment you find yourself having to move.