Anyone who has a pet would tell you that they bring much joy and are also a responsibility. They brighten each moment and make your home a better place. But, how to take care of them when you’re in the process of changing a home? Moving with pets is not only a practical problem – animals don’t deal well with change and travel, and the chances are that your furry friend won’t be as happy as you about the new residence.
So, how to move with pets? What can you do to make this easier on them? As always, the key to this relocation problem is a good organization. You can achieve everything you set out to do if you start planning on time and stay focused. Naturally, proper research is always welcome, so we decided to help you out and gather all the necessary information and tips on how to move pets and travel with them on relocation day. So, follow our guide, and make the relocation pleasant for you and your pet both.
Relocation Is Stressful, Especially When You’re Moving Pets
It probably crossed your mind the moment you decided to move – how do I move my pets? Many households have a beloved animal, so this question isn’t a rare one. Whether it’s cats or dogs, you should keep in mind certain things. First, of course, you will be under plenty of relocation stress. Not only will that affect you badly, for example, making you overlook the most commonly forgotten things to pack, but your pet will also notice something’s wrong. They will worry about you, and you will worry about them. Don’t let that happen! Keep calm, do your best to stick to a relocation to-do list, and everything should be just fine.
How Do You Move With a Pet? Here Are Our Best Moving Tips
The most important thing to remember is that the routine is your friend. Try to keep it up, and put off packing the belongings of your cat or dog for as long as you can. Additionally, while you pack your items, let your pet run around and see what’s going on. Even though they may distract you, that is for sure better than keeping them in the dark of what is going on, as they will get anxious and worried.
You most likely know that animals are on the list of items movers won’t move, so you have to plan what to do with them on the relocation day. But, how to pay attention to them in the chaos of the relocating day? We strongly believe that experienced Orange County, CA, movers are what you need for a smooth relocation in this case. We will take care of your items, and you can focus your attention on your sweet animal.
Moving With Pets – Tips on How to Prepare Everything Before the Move
Before you travel to one of the best cities to live in Orange County, you should find time to pack everything your pet requires for comfortable living. The first thing that comes to mind is likely a favorite toy or the bowl your animal uses daily, but you mustn’t forget about more important things such as medical and vaccination records. In addition, if your cat or dog takes some medication, you must remember to prepare it, so you don’t run out on the relocating day or the following one.
Get Your Cat or Dog Accustomed to a Carrier and a Car
If the carrier is something they didn’t travel with before, the chances are that it will scare them, even though you’re taking them to one of the safest cities in Orange County. You don’t want that to happen when you have to get in the car and drive to your new neighborhood, and the movers are already half-done with loading stuff on the truck. Instead, animals should be trained to spend time in the carrier, so they know for sure that it isn’t anything dangerous when you have to transport them inside it.
Start getting them used to the carrier long before your going away party if you want to have the time to do it properly. Put their favorite blanket inside or a little snack, and train them that way. As for the car, you can start with short car rides and prolong them bit by bit. That should get them used to car travel. These tips usually bring great results.
Consult With Your Veterinarian – They Know How to Help Pets During Relocation
Your vet knows everything there is to know about the health of your furry friend, so they might have some additional ideas on how to prepare cats and dogs for the change of scenery. For example, if the anxiety is high, the veterinarian may prescribe medication to deal with the stress. For more advice on how to reduce the relocation stress in animals, check out the video below.
Finding a New Veterinarian in Your Neighborhood To-Be Is a Good Idea
Even though you’re only about to have a local move, it wouldn’t make much sense to go back to the old neighborhood every now and then when your cat or dog has to see the vet. It would be impractical for you and likely would stress out your furry companion. So, finding a veterinarian is one of the tasks ahead of you. You can ask your current vet to recommend a colleague or ask someone you know from your future neighborhood. Just don’t do this last minute! Think in advance, and find a good veterinarian close to your new house.
Get Adequate Packing Supplies for Your Furry Friend’s Belongings
Compared to relocating hacks used to deal with the anxiety your four-legged friend experiences, packing their stuff will be the least of your problems. However, it’s still something that has to be done, and you will have to pay a visit to the supply store and get some materials. Add the following items to your expenses checklist:
- Packing boxes,
- Packing paper,
- Padding materials,
- Tape and markers.
None of these are hard to find, and they aren’t expensive. In fact, boxes can be found for free in plenty of stores, where they will be glad to get rid of them. But still, be sure to use clean and sturdy ones, so the items inside the box don’t get damaged or dirty.
Pack Their Items and Declutter Those They Don’t Use
Once you have the supplies ready, and you can’t put off packing anymore, get to work. This task won’t be as tricky as packing dishes or protecting valuable and fragile items from damage in transport. Toys and clothes your furry little ones love so much aren’t breakable, and you will protect them just fine with the basic packing materials we listed above. Consider leaving out one or two toys your dog loves, or something cats are fond of, so they don’t get bored during the trip, and they have something familiar by their side. During packing, you’ll likely notice there are way too many toys around your house. Be sure to declutter items that aren’t used anymore or donate them. Decluttering stage is unavoidable if you want to start living in your residence-to-be without plenty of chaos.
Make Sure Your Pet Isn’t Home When the Movers Come on Relocation Day
A part of efficient moving is taking care of your furry loved ones when the movers and the truck come to your house. There will be plenty of people and countless boxes around. The chaos may be too much for your furry family members to handle, not to mention the possibility of getting injured accidentally, for example, while movers are moving a piano. Best to keep them away until the truck is loaded. Consider leaving them with a trusted friend or a family member. If you don’t have that option, there are special hotels for this kind of situation, which we trust you already knew. Whichever you go for, we’re confident your fluffy friend will be perfectly fine!
How Long Does It Take for a Pet to Adjust to a New Home?
Usually, animals will need the same time for adjustment as their owners, but that doesn’t have to be the case. If the new neighborhood seems strange, and they struggle to find their place in a home and a favorite spot in the room, it will take time for them to feel safe in a different environment, but they eventually will. It could be weeks or months – let them get there, and don’t worry. All you can do is be there for them and try a few tricks to help them out.
How to Speed Up the Adjustment Process?
Don’t leave them alone for too long, even if they were accustomed to that previously. This is an anxious period for them, and they need you. If you have to, try to leave them with a friend or even a neighbor you’ve bonded with quickly. Put effort into maintaining the same feeding schedule, and explore room by room with your pet. Place their toys or snacks in places you want them to get familiar with. Finally, they will realize there’s no danger in the new home, and things will get back to normal.
Hire the Best Movers in Orange County, CA, to Help You Relocate Your Home Effortlessly
If you don’t feel like packing on top of everything you have going on, our professional movers in Orange County, CA, can help with that. Contact us for packing assistance, and the move will get a lot easier from there. We can deal with packing plates or similar hard-to-pack items or the tasks that are a little easier to handle, such as packing books. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you require labor-only services since we offer that as well, and we will do more than an excellent job.
Get a Free Estimate and Contact Us If You Need More Information
The best way to avoid moving hacks is to hire reputable and affordable movers in Orange County, CA. We are precisely what you’re looking for, and we will make residential relocation a pleasant experience for you and your furry companions. So, check out your free estimate, and if it suits you (which we believe it will), contact us to arrange the details of your upcoming move!