3 Tips To Help Your Pet Survive A Long Distance Move
Relocating to another state or even across the country can require a lot of planning and organization to have a smooth moving experience. When you are moving with pets, you are responsible for their care and well-being during the move. Here are three tips to help your pet survive a long distance move.
Food and Emotional Needs
As soon as the packing begins for a long distance move, you will need to set aside all of the things that your pet will need until you arrive at your new home.
Mark one box for your pet's items and set it aside where it won't get packed with the rest of household belongings. If your pet has any medications, pack them into the box. Include their food, some bottled water, a favorite toy, and their bedding items if they have any. For your cat, put some kitty litter and a portable litter box in the box of pet items. Your cat will need a litter box as soon as they arrive at the new place.
If your dog already has a kennel or crate they sleep in, let them spend some time in the crate in a quiet area while the movers are packing and moving. A dog's crate is a safe spot where they will be able to lower some of their stress. Too much stress on your pet during a move can tire them out, weakening their immune system and allowing them to become sick.
If you have a cat in the house, set up a safe room for them in the bathroom or large closet. Give them their food and water dish along with litter box and a familiar blanket in this closed-off room.
Dogs and cats both like familiar routines, so try to keep a regular routine as much as possible by playing with them and petting them.
Transportation
After the movers have finished packing and loading your household belongings, it will be time to transfer your pet from the home to the moving truck or other vehicle. Your cat or dog will need a kennel or crate that is large enough for them. Your dog may already have a kennel or crate they use, but it is important to make sure it is the right size.
The crate or kennel for your cat or dog will need to be tall enough that they don't have to duck to see out the doorway. It also needs to be tall enough so they can stand comfortably inside, and wide enough so they can turn around while they are inside the crate. Also, the crate needs to be long enough that they can sit inside and stretch their front paws in front of them.
With a measuring tape measure your pet's length from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tail and add four inches. This is how long their travel crate needs to be. With your pet standing up, measure them from the floor to the top of their head, then add four inches. This is how tall their crate needs to be.
For food and water inside the kennel, you can buy food and water dish that hook on the inside of their kennel or crate. This will help them to not bump and spill the dish contents all over.
Final Destination
Once you get to your new home, set up your dog crate in a quiet room of your new place so your dog can relax for a couple hours while you get moved in.
Let your cat out of their pet carrier into a closed-off room such as a bathroom or large closet. Set up your cat's littler box, food and water dishes, and any toys. It is important they get accustomed to the new place a little bit at a time. After a day or so, you can let your cat venture into the rest of the new home.
Your pet is an important family member, so use these tips to help them during a long distance move.