How to Move Pets to a New Home

Think about how much stress you go through during the moving process, knowing exactly what’s going on as you pack your items and load them onto a moving truck. Now imagine how anxious this can make your pet. They don’t understand the flurry of activity around them or why you’re moving all of the furniture out of their favorite room. When moving with pets, you’re dealing with their stress as well as yours. There’s no simple way to make the process easier, but we’ve come up with some tips on how to make moving with pets a bit less stressful.

1. Reach out to your vet.

If you’re planning to move out of the area, talk to your vet so they can tell you about any records or medications your furry family member will need. They may even be able to recommend a vet near your new home.

2. Pack an overnight bag for your pet.

Pack a bag or box with items like litter, food, toys and snacks for the first few days of unpacking. If it’s going to take you a few extra days to reach your new home, keep this overnight bag in an easily accessible area.

3. Keep Fido in a separate area on moving day.

Your pet may seem excited when the movers arrive, but that excitement can quickly turn to stress. When left running about, they can also get underfoot and cause accidents. Placing them in a kennel or with a pet sitter is the ideal situation for the day, but if it’s not possible, you’ll want to at least keep them in a separate room where they can’t see all of the action going on. Just be sure to leave them with enough food and water for the time they’re in the room and check on them regularly.

4. When it’s time to hit the road, your pet goes in the vehicle with you.

Whether your pet is a dog, a cat, a fish or something more unique, they should always ride with you in the car — never in the back of the moving truck. If car rides make your pet anxious, consider transporting them in a carrier with a blanket thrown over it. That way they can’t see the environment changing and can avoid feeling more distress. (If you’re moving with a pet fish, read our Tips for Moving a Fish Tank blog.)

5. Try not to let them out of the car until you’ve arrived.

If your pet gets out of the car during a stop for gas or food, they may wander off and get lost. If you must let them out for a bathroom break, always place them on a leash.

6. Move your belongings in before the pet.

Setting up the home — even if it’s just the furniture in one room — can make the transition easier for your pet. Familiar surroundings can help keep their anxiety down in your new space. Be sure to also give them a lot of positive attention and provide them with familiar objects as soon as possible.

7. Update their info.

If your pet has a microchip, you’ll want to match it to your new address right away. You should also update their tags, which is especially important as they get used to their new surroundings.

Make Moving with Pets Easier with Find Self Storage

Another way to make moving easier on your pet is to store your items in a storage unit with Find Self Storage. Placing some belongings in storage ahead of moving day means fewer items to place in the moving truck, making the process shorter. If you’re moving out of the area, storing items near your new home means you can create more space for Fido to get used to in your new environment. It also provides an alternative when you don’t have the space in your home for seasonal items. Already know what you want to store? Use our unit size calculator to find the right size unit for you. If you don’t know what to store, our Packing and Storage Tips guide can help.

Find a self storage unit near you in Louisiana and Texas today!