Shifting with Pets: Your Complete Stress-Free Relocation Guide
Moving with pets can be challenging and intimidating for everyone involved. This is the reason why before you start moving, take a time and think about possible solutions to any complication that might arise. Moving house is ranked amongst the most stressful incidents in life, and can be all the more challenging for your four-legged, furry and feathered inhabitants.
Consulting with pet behavior experts, it is clear that the changes in routine and environment, coupled with the barrage of sights and sounds related to moving house, can set off many anxiety symptoms in animals. Shifting with pets is a complex issue which needs planning, forethought and a focused plan of action to manage the physical and emotional health of animals while they are traveling.
The Essential Pre-Move Planning Phase (4-6 Weeks Before the Move)
Researching Pet-Friendly Accommodation and Local Amenities
Your top consideration before you start packing anywhere is—find a place that allows your pet. Some apartments or flats in India have rules against owning pets, sometimes with breed restrictions and weight limits for pets and requiring extra deposits for pets. Speak to your new landlord or housing society and get something in writing that they approve of your pet.
While at it, find out all the places you would need within the new neighborhood before you get there. Find out where the local (preferably) reliable veterinarian is, where the pet supplies shop is and where the park or the running path is. Knowing all this in advance will make things easy for you.
Updating Identification and Veterinary Preparations
This is a non-negotiable part of handling pets while shifting safely. Visit your vet no less than a month before moving to have a comprehensive check-up done. Make sure that your pet is up to date on all its vaccinations and get certified copies of your pets records sent with you on your move, this will be needed both for indoor and international travel.
If you have not already had your pet microchipped, do so now, get a 15 digit iso 11784/11785 standard microchip. This is globally accepted for travel purposes and will be needed for air travel. Changing your address and new phone number on your pets ID tags and microchip database is essential.
Acclimating Your Pet to Packing Supplies and Carriers
Your pet is also a creature of habit. Seeing boxes and tape and bubble wrap before the move day can be very frightening. Start giving your pets exposure to these new objects a few weeks before your move. Keep the travel crate or carrier out in the common areas, leaving some treats and toys inside it and a soft blanket.
For dogs, practice loading up in the car with the crates to help ease the fear of motion and the car ride. For cats, your normal home life suddenly becomes a comfy den rather than a scary trap if you let them have free access and sleep in the carrier at home. And this simple step of introduction can really go a long way in helping you worry less on the move day.
The Complete Moving Day Strategy for Your Pet
Creating a “Pet Sanctuary” for Moving Day
Another tip the professionals will tell you is to have a “safe” room or “pet sanctuary” on moving day. Select a quiet room such as an extra bedroom or large bathroom. Bring in your pet’s bed and litter box (for cats), bowls for food and water, and any favorite toys into this sanctuary.
Place a sign on the door that says “Do Not Disturb” or some other message and instruct the moving crew that this room is a complete no-go zone. This will help your pet to escape the chaos of loud noises, lots of open doors, and high traffic or get too overwhelmed and become dangerously stressed. If you have a very nervous pet, you may want to schedule them in at a reliable pet-sitter’s house or at a doggy day care for the day.
Safe Transportation: Car, Train, and Air Travel Tips
The rules depend on the method of transport. When travelling by car your pet should be secured at all times. Use a crash test approved harness for dogs and a secure well-ventilated container for cats. Never allow your pet to run free in the car as it can cause accidents and run a risk of being thrown forward in an accident. Stop regularly for toilet and water breaks.
When travelling by train within India your pet can normally travel in the luggage van or in a coupe if you book a first class A/C. You will need an up to date “fitness” certificate from a vet.
When travelling by air small animals (less than 5-7 kgs. according to the airline) will sometimes travel with you in the cabin, larger animals normally travel in the pressurized hold as checked baggage or manifested cargo. Whenever possible BOOK DIRECT with a non-stop flight and always pack in an approved IATA crate.
Post-Move Acclimation: Helping Your Pet Settle In
The First 24 Hours: Setting Up the Safe Room Again
When you get to your new house, your first step is to re-establish the “safe room” thing. Place your pet’s bed, bowls of food and water into a corner while the movers are bringing the rest of the house in. Keep your pet in this room during the chaos while you unpack, offering him his nightly walk and mealtime.
Routine is the strongest anxiety reducer and your dog should be on his usual schedule before you even arrive at the new place. Remember, a tired dog is a happy dog and it is worth plenty of walking if it keeps them calm.
Gradual Exploration and Preventing Escape Attempts
Do not let your new pet have the run of your whole house immediately. Take them carefully through the house, room by room and avoid, if possible, letting them loose in their new yard until you are prepared to accompany them outside. Always take your new dog out into the new yard on a lead – your pet should be willing to investigate away from home on the lead, but never get the chance to run free if they are in an unfamiliar new area.
Never let your cat go back to its old home. Keep your cat strictly indoors for two or three weeks, and be careful about knocking over doors and windows. Even the best-trained pet can get scared and run. Using a pheromone diffuser like Feliway for cats or Adaptil for dogs can help them relax and settle in quickly.
Final Checklist for a Stress-Free Move with Your Pet
- Pre-Move (4-6 Weeks): Look for accommodations that will accept pets, arrange a trip to the vet, change the microchip and identification tags, begin crate training.
- Pre-Move (1-2 Weeks): Pack a “pet Moving Kit” (food medications bowls, leash, litter, medical records). Get your pet used to packing supplies.
- Moving Day: Set up a “pet sanctuary” in a quiet room. Keep your pet separated from the moving hullabaloo. Convey them in a secure carrier.
- Post-Move: Establish a safe room in your new home before emptying the trailer. Keep your pet on its normal routine. Gradually introduce your pet to your new home. Keep cats inside for 2-3 weeks.
Conclusion
Moving with a pet is definitely work, but it can be a smooth operation if you anticipate your pet’s emotional needs and plan as a result. The tips laid out here will help lessen your pet’s anxiety when it is most heightened and keep him or her safe: preparing your pet for the move with a pre-move vet visit, pet-friendly crate training, and the safe room that the realtor wants you to buy into on move day.
A relaxed pet equals a relaxed owner. And for a hassle-free move, you might want to avail the services of move professionals like Sri Vinayaka Packers & Movers that make other moving families comfortable, so you can start the next phase of your life on the right foot.
FAQs
Your pets (s) should be prepared between 4-6 weeks before the move to have enough time to have a veterinarian health check, administration of vaccinations & microchip updates, get used to the travel carrier as well as the our moving boxes and materials.
No, not usually. Sedatives should not be used when flying as this can compromise stability and breathing on a high altitude flight. Please ask your veterinarian about sedatives if you are travelling by car. It is often better to use general natural calming products such as pheromone spray (Feliway or Adaptil), a Thundershirt or calming treat.
The best tip I can give is to build a “dog or cat paradise”. Isolate your pet in one cozy room with the bed, water, toys, and a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door. This will keep them out from the clamoring open doors and loud noises. Or you can always take them out of the house altogether.
Cats are very territorial animals and they will try and return to the old house, this can be very dangerous. Keep your cat inside exclusively for at least two to three weeks following their move. Take it slow when introducing them to the new house, and make sure that there is no way they can escape with all of the doors and windows securely closed. To make your cat feel more at home you may want to use a pheromone diffuser.
