Moving with Pets: How to Keep Your Furry Friends Stress-Free During Your Move

We have a soft spot for pets, and know this can be a very stressful time for the four-legged family members in your home. Here are some tips to help keep your pets stress-free during your move:

STICK TO ROUTINE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
Maintain a familiar routine: Pets thrive on routine, so try to keep their feeding, exercise, and playtime schedules as consistent as possible. This will help them feel more comfortable and secure during the move.

COMFORT & SAFETY ARE KEY
Keep them in a safe and quiet space: On moving days, it's best to keep your pets in a separate space away from all of the commotion. This will help them feel safe and secure and prevent them from getting underfoot or loose which would be upsetting for the entire family. Maybe a friend can walk them or take them to a nearby park for the afternoon. Develop a pet-friendly strategy that keeps your furry family member safe and happy.

NEW TOYS ALWAYS HELP
Distraction is your friend. Maybe a new bed or toy is the new excitement they need to keep their mind occupied. This gives them something new to smell and sense and enjoy and creates a much needed dose of “this is mine” as the world around them is being packed.

PACK THEM LAST
Make sure to pack your pets' belongings, such as their food, water, and bedding, last so that they have everything they need until the very end of the move. This will help them feel more comfortable and secure during the transition.

BONUS: Once settled in at your new location, a nice walk will be very exciting. Especially for dogs, being able to explore the new residence and map out the new layout is hard-wired into their biological needs. Once the moving team has gone, let them get the lay of the land and feel like the king (or queen!) of the castle. For bigger dogs, this typically means checking out the yard and marking their territory — if you know what I mean. Whatever your furry friends need, let them feel at home once the coast is clear. They deserve a nice big scratch under the jaw and a nice treat for how patient they have been during the process.

Consider these simple strategies to keep your pets stress-free and safe during a move and make the transition to your new home as smooth as possible. A little extra care and attention can go a very long way in helping your furry friends feel happy and comfortable during this exciting moment.