With more than 65 million households in America owning at least one dog, people will likely have to relocate with their furry friend. While some dogs can go through a residential move and change of scenery without any distress, others can be much more finicky about the process.
Moving can take extra planning and care if your pup falls into the latter group. Look at a few tips to keep your picky, easily distressed canine comfortable during your move.
Planning Ahead: Strategies for Pre-Move Pet Preparation
Arrange a caregiver for your dog before the move. On the day of the move, having a designated family member to hang out with your nervous pooch can be helpful. In some cases, this may mean that the person may not be involved with other aspects of the day, such as packing boxes or helping to move furniture, but the sacrifice will be well worth it.
A nervous dog is bound to get even more antsy when its surroundings are being dismantled, the humans are involved in a lot of motion and commotion, and there are strangers (movers) in the house to help. A designated caregiver will ensure the dog can be removed from alarming areas of the house and given attention as needed to keep it comfortable.
Making the Move Stress-Free: Tips for Traveling with Your Dog
If your dog is alarmed by traveling or has motion sickness, discuss this with your veterinarian before moving day. Your vet may recommend or prescribe medications or calming supplements to keep the dog calm during transport.
Be sure to invest in a dog crate to keep your pet contained and keep you safe while driving. A scared dog can pose a hazard to whoever is driving and others in the vehicle simultaneously.
Fetch Find offers a good list of tips to help when traveling with an anxious dog, such as conditioning your pet with short drives in advance and avoiding feeding just before a car ride.
Pack Essentials to Have On Hand
Prepare an essentials kit for your dog so the crucial items are readily available throughout the move. These ensure your dog’s comfort and well-being during the transition. Include:
- Food
- Collapsible bowls
- favorite toys and blankets
- Medications
- Medical records
- Identification tags
- Leash and harness
- Poop bags
- First aid kit
Home Sweet Home: Setting Up a Familiar Environment in Your New Place
Before transitioning your pet to the new home, take the initiative to make the location feel more like home. Dogs can be highly sensitive to smells, visuals, and even sounds. Therefore, addressing these elements in the space could be a good idea before introducing your pet.
For example, prepare a room in the house with something unwashed that smells like your family’s home. Bring in a few pieces of furniture or visual elements, such as a dog bed or a few toys. While noise may be beyond your control, you may be able to mask sounds or mimic the sounds of your former home. For instance, if you consistently watch a particular TV show, make sure this show is playing on the TV when the dog enters for the first time.
Get Professional Moving Help and Focus on Every Family Member
Moving is a significant transition, and dogs can have difficulty understanding the change. When you have four-legged family members to focus on during the move, having professional movers on your team can make things even more manageable. Contact us to discuss your moving needs.