Moving can be hard on our pets. It’s stressful and can impact their health. We may not be able to avoid stress completely but there are things we can do to try to manage it and steps we can take before, during, and after a move to make sure we protect our pet’s health and well-being.
Moving is very stressful for everyone, especially our pets. Stress affects the body and it’s common for health issues to flare up around this time. Things like “colds” with weepy eyes, congestion and sneezing, GI upset, allergies and other skin issues, urinary issues, and behavioral issues like separation anxiety and aggression can all flare up in the days and weeks before, during, and after a move. Pre-existing health conditions often get worse. There may be different diseases in your new location that your pet needs protection from.
So what can you do to make moving as safe and low stress as possible for your pet?
Before Moving Day
Figure out what your pet will need for the move. Will your pet be moving by car or plane? How far will they be traveling? Will they need to be in a crate or carrier? Will you need a health certificate or exam before you move?
If your pet will need to travel in a crate or carrier make sure you have one that fits your pet and that your pet is used to being in there and are calm and comfortable.
Start calming supplements, herbals, pheromones, plus any calming medication your pet needs. A lot of these things can take some time to kick in (weeks or months even); starting early helps them be most effective when stress is highest. Your vet can recommend and prescribe things to help keep your pet relaxed.
Speaking of the vet: set up an appointment with your vet several weeks or even months before the move. Let them know if you need any health certificates. Ask for recommendations on calming supplements, herbs, pheromones, and if medications would be good for your pet.
Make sure pets are up to date on preventative care like vaccines. Ask if there’s any different diseases to worry about where you’re moving. Get refills on any medications your pet takes including for things like flea/tick and heart worm prevention. Make sure you have enough to last at least a month after the moving date.
If you’re moving to a place too far to continue going to your current vet ask for recommendations for a new vet where you’re going. Set up an appointment at that new vet now for a few weeks after the move so you don’t forget. Ask for a copy of your pet’s medical records to give to your next vet. Look up emergency vet clinics near your new place. If you’ll be driving more than a day look up emergency clinics along the way as well. Save emergency clinic info in your phone just in case.
On Moving Day
This is a really stressful day for your pet. Your vet can help figure out if extra or increased doses of calming supplements, herbs, and medications would be helpful since it’s an extra stressful time.
Moving day means a lot of moving parts, strangers, and front doors left open so it’s often best to have pets confined somewhere safe: in their crate, carrier, or even a bathroom or bedroom while furniture and boxes are being loaded/unloaded. This will reduce stress and avoid potential for being stepped on or getting lost going out the front door in a new environment.
At your new home have beds, blankets, and familiar items with familiar smells on them already in place when your pet arrives. Try to have all of their important resources (food, water, beds, litter box, etc) already in the places you think they will permanently be by the time your pet arrives so they don’t have to look somewhere new for their water bowl every day.
If you’re moving to a larger space your pet may need more things like beds, toy boxes, litter boxes, scratching posts, etc. If you’re moving to a smaller space with multiple pets (especially cats) you may actually need more of these things too. Why? Just like people a small space can create tension and disagreements. Extra resources like toys, beds, and litter boxes reduces these tensions.
After Moving Day
It may take days to weeks for your pet to adjust to the new home. That’s ok. Stress related health issues can flare up even after the move so continue calming supplements, pheromones, herbs, and medications during this time.
If any health issues or symptoms do show up after the move of course set up an appointment with a vet. But even if everything is going well it’s best to get an appointment with your new vet within a few weeks after your move.
Why? Once you’re established with a new vet they can take over doing any prescriptions your pet needs and will be more likely to be able to get you in on short notice if anything comes up in the future. They can contact your old vet to get a copy of your pet’s records and full medical history so your pet doesn’t get any unnecessary vaccines or testing repeated. Your new vet can also discuss any different diseases here that you need to protect your pet from and help you figure out if, when, and how to reduce calming supplements, herbs, pheromones, and medications.
While we can’t just tell our pets that there’s nothing to worry about when moving we can do a lot of things before, during, and after a move to help make the process as low stress as possible for them.
