The Ultimate Guide to Moving With Pets

Moving is already one of the most stressful experiences you will go through in life, and moving with a pet can increase that tenfold. But don’t panic! Here are some tips, tricks, and considerations to make moving a much smoother transition.

Finding the Right Home

One of the best ways to make the move less stressful is by choosing a home that suits your pet as much as it suits you. Avoid busy roads (especially if you have a cat that likes to go outside) or noisy neighbors. You may wish to have a garden for playtime or a big kitchen with extra space for pet food. 

Furthermore, if you’re choosing to live with roommates, then you’ll need a roommate who understands (and likely loves) pets. 

If you’re looking for a new, pet-friendly home, use trusted platforms like spareroom.com to find rooms for rent and roommates in popular cities like Houston, New York City, Boston, Austin, and many more. Spare Room, in particular, offers filters to help you find the best roommate or room for you and your pet.

How to Move With Pets

Plan Around Your Pet

The process of moving can be stressful for pets. They may not be packing up boxes and handing over house keys, but they understand when something is going on. The big empty rooms, once filled with their favorite hiding spots and scents, are bound to be confusing and unsettling for them. 

Because of this, try to plan your move around your pet. Pack your things up gradually, as this is less likely to spook your pet. It’s also important to keep on top of their routines during this time. Make sure to take them on walks and feed them on the same schedule as usual, as this will give your pet some normality and stability in an otherwise confusing environment.

Understand When Your Pet is Stressed

Like we said above, moving can be hugely stressful for pets. The best way to manage this is by keeping a close eye on your furry friend. If they start exhibiting behaviour that shows they’re feeling stressed, then you know it’s time to take action. 

For dogs, this might look like excessive panting, whining, barking, or even destructive behavior like chewing the furniture. If you have a cat, some stress indicators can be over-grooming and hiding, or they may even stop eating. 

There are a few things you can do to soothe your pet’s anxiety. This includes pheromone sprays or anxiety coats, and music or white noise for poor pets that may be especially sensitive to new and unfamiliar sounds. You can also invest in new toys or use existing ones to keep them distracted and their mind off the move.

If you choose to use calming aids like sprays or diffusers, make sure they are specifically made for pets.

It’s no secret that pets are attuned to our emotions. Try to manage your own stress as much as possible, and this will help calm your pet and ease their anxiety.

Keeping Your Pet Calm on Moving Day

Expect a lot of stress and distractions during moving day. A good way to keep them calm is by choosing a quiet and secure space for your pet on the big day. If there’s someone you trust to look after them while you’re loading the van, then great. But if that’s not a possibility, then set them up in a crate or a closed room. Make sure they have food, water, and comfort items to help keep them calm.

Here are some tips for transporting pets:

1. Keep your pet in a secure and comfortable carrier during car travel.
2. Don’t open the carrier while your car is parked unless you know the doors are fully closed – this will stop escapees.
3. Make sure to update microchip and collar ID tags with your new address before the big day.
4. If you have a long journey, plan out stops. Let your pet stretch and get some fresh air, if you can.
5. Never leave your pet alone in the car.

Make the New Environment as Comfortable as Possible

Once you’ve arrived at the new house, you may be tempted to let your pet roam freely. However, this new environment with its new layout and all its new smells can be hugely overwhelming for sensitive pets. Try introducing them to one room at a time. Ideally, start with a room that has familiar smells from their old home. This could come in the form of their bed, toys, or even a worn piece of your clothing. 

Over the next few days, you can start introducing your pet to the rest of the house. Keep a close eye on them. Be aware of how they explore and how they might be feeling. Look out for anxious behaviours, and remember to be patient with them – it’s going to take some time to get used to the new environment.

Get started with their old routines as soon as possible, as this will create a sense of normalcy and help pets get used to the new home quicker.

Common Moving Challenges & How to Handle Them

Even if you follow all the tips on our list, your move might not go exactly as planned. And that’s okay! Pets can be unpredictable, but here are some common problems that you may face when moving (and how you can solve them).

1. Accidents – Your pet might be perfectly house-trained, but even the most well-behaved pets can have an accident during stressful times. Don’t punish your pet for this – they were likely just scared or overwhelmed. The best thing you can do is reinforce their house training by getting back into a routine and rewarding them for good behavior.
2. Loud Pets – If your pet is being more vocal than usual, such as barking or meowing, this could be down to the new sounds and smells of your new home. To help them settle, try setting up familiar background noises or even consider calming collars. Give your pets extra attention and affection while they’re adjusting.

• Escaping or Hiding – If they’re feeling overwhelmed, then some pets (particularly cats) may find a hiding spot and stay there. This is normal. Give them time to settle and make sure all the windows and doors are secure so they can’t escape.

Different Pets Have Different Needs

Not all pets are the same. A dog will have different needs when it comes to moving compared to a cat. Here are some pet-specific tips you can use to keep your pet happy and calm during this transition:

• Dogs – They will need lots of exercise and plenty of distractions to stay happy while you’re moving. We recommend taking them on daily walks in the new neighborhood. This will help them pick up on new scents.
• Cats – These four-legged friends thrive on familiarity. Set up scratch posts so they can leave their scent around the house. 
• Small Animals and Reptiles – Smaller animals may find temperature, noise, and changes in light stressful. Keep an eye on them and do your best to replicate their old environment as closely as possible.

Conclusion

Moving with pets can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be completely nerve-wracking. As long as you’re prepared, you can make your furry friend feel safe and loved, even when everything around them is changing. The important thing is to stay patient, both during the move and after, while they get used to their new environment.