Moving with pets can be a difficult task, even if you’re only going a short distance away, but it is certainly achievable! They know something is going on, and since you can’t explain to them that you’re going to a new home, you need to make them feel comfortable and safe every step of the way. Our tips will help you relocate locally with your small companion with ease.
Choosing a New Home For Your Pet
Before you move, you should take your time and check if the neighborhood you’re moving to is safe for your pets. Ask around to find out if there is an aggressive animal that has been left unattended or if there are crazy neighbors who hate animals and might intentionally hurt them. You and your pet should feel safe in your new surroundings.
Also, check if there is enough room for them to play around. If you have cats, consider building shelves and blocks vertically so that your cat can climb around the house every day, or if you have a dog, check if the place has a backyard or a nearby park where dogs can run freely and play fetch whenever you go for a walk.
Birds, Cats, Dogs… They All Feel Stress
Think of all the chaos that takes place each day when you are relocating – all the boxes, packing, labeling, organizing, transporting, local movers going in and out of your home, making sure you don’t forget anything before you travel, etc. This environment is stressful for your pet too. Whether you have a cat, dog, guinea pig, or a bird, they all experience moving stress, just like you do.
The best thing to do is to empty one room, put everything your pet needs in there (litter box, food, water, toys), and let them be in that room secluded those few days before you go. This way, they won’t bother you while you pack, but also they won’t see and deal with all the commotion going around the house. If you don’t want them to feel alone, you can contact professional movers to help by providing packing services. You should also consider hiring a pet-sitter to take care of them on the day of the move.
Contact Your Vet
Don’t forget to make the call! Inform your veterinarian that you are relocating so that you can get your pet’s records and prescription medications if they take any. Check if they can recommend another vet you can contact that is closer to your new home and get your cat or dog microchipped in case they get lost when they arrive in the unknown surroundings.
Keep Your Pet Safe During Travel
No moving company, not even a local one, will move an animal for you. This is on the top of the list of items movers won’t move. So you’ll have to (and should anyway) transport your pet in your car. Try to make them feel safe in their carrier during travel. Throw in a comfy blanket they love or a T-shirt that has your smell, and consider even putting a sheet over the carrier so your pet won’t be intimidated by the changing surroundings. Even if you’re only driving a short distance, some animals simply don’t enjoy car rides and can get anxious.
Bring an easily accessible bag for your little friend. Inside you should have:
- Dry food
- Clean water
- Toys for comfort
- Towels in case they pee in the carrier
- Plastic bags
- A leash for breaks (never let them out on their own, they can easily get lost)
You can always expand the list if you think of something else that may help during travel.
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You Might Experience Some Unexpected Events
The best way to be prepared for your trip is to expect that anything can and probably will happen. So prepare a long list and be sure you’re packing everything you need in case your dog or cat vomits or pees in the carrier. Vomiting may occur if your animal has been eating food and drinking water a few hours prior to the move. Also, if your dog gets restless while traveling, you might want to read some tips on preventing and treating travel anxiety in dogs and maybe even contact your vet if medication is an option.
What To Do When You Reach Your New Home in Los Angeles
You have arrived at your destination. What now? For starters, don’t release your pets just yet. First, you need to set up stuff for your cats or dogs. Put around the room their toys, food, water, litter, and some of your old clothes that haven’t been washed yet, so that it smells like home. Make sure they get as many treats and water as possible during this period of adaptation because it can help them associate this home with something positive.
Also, if you have a backyard for your dog or cat in the new house, check every inch of that backyard for hidden wires, poisonous houseplants, holes where your cats can escape, or if the fence is high enough so that your cat or dog can’t jump over it one day.
Moving Done Right
As you can see, having dogs, cats, birds, or any other pet is a challenge and a blessing. If you take your time with the preparations and follow your moving to-do list, you won’t have to worry about a thing. As long as you follow these tips, devote your time to care for your pets, and it will all pay off.
In case you need any help with your LA move, you can always check out our moving services and contact us any day of the week. We’d be happy to make your life easier during the moving process.
