Moving With A Pet? Here’s How To Make It Painless

Oct 19, 2020

Moving With A Pet? Here’s How To Make It Painless

Moving with an animal comes with lots of responsibility and just as many expenses. But you don’t have to stress the process, and it doesn’t have to drain your savings. Follow the tips below for a smooth move with your furry friend.

Gear Up

When you’re moving with a pet, you probably want to upgrade his gear. He’ll need everything from a seat restrainer to portable food and water bowls just for the trip. You may also want to go ahead and buy new bedding and toys so that he’ll have time to get used to these items before the big day.

It’s tempting to run to your local discount store for these things, but probably not the best idea. Stick with high-quality gear, and don’t be afraid to shop around.

Vet Check

Another important task before moving day comes is having your dog or cat checked out by their veterinarian. This will help you identify any potential health issues that might impact your move, and this is especially important if you are moving a long distance. If you have pet insurance, contact your provider to find out if they offer coverage for routine well visits. Often, they do, but many policyholders forget they’ve even purchased a plan. Don’t let it go to waste.

Your veterinarian may take this opportunity to talk about the foods you currently feed your pet. Keep in mind that they may be nervous during the trip, and feeding a low-quality food can lead to gastrointestinal disturbances, which turns into vomit – or worse – that you’ll have to clean up the road. Choosing the best dog food, according to the AKC, starts by checking the label for ingredients. Identity only uses the highest-quality ingredients for both cat and dog foods, and offers a range of delicious options, such as turkey, duck, and pork, that will fill your pet’s belly without a ton of artificial fillers.

Trial Run

When it’s time to get serious about your relocation, you might want to take the time to get your dog accustomed to car rides. If the furthest they have ever gone is to the dog park and the vet's office, they might get antsy, anxious, and hyperactive after a few miles. Spend a few days driving longer distances, and make sure your pet is properly restrained, either in a seatbelt or appropriately-sized crate.

It will also help if you have access to your future new home before you actually move. This won’t be practical if it’s a long-distance relocation. However, if you’re simply skipping across town, ask the current owners or landlord if it’s okay to let your dog or cat wander the property a day or two before closing.

Moving Day

As moving day nears, it’s a smart idea to look for a pet sitter to help keep your pup or curious kitty out from under foot. Although you will have to pay for this service, you can look online for different providers, keeping in mind that they set their own fees. You may find that a more expensive per-hour sitter will wind up costing you less if they offer things like dog walking and accident cleanup in their rate.

You can hire a pet sitter in each location so that you know that you will have someone on hand to keep your precious cargo safe, happy, and entertained upon arrival. It’s much cheaper than paying the recovery fee if your animal wanders and gets caught by animal control as a stray.

Moving is a lot of work, there is no way around that fact. But it doesn’t have to break your budget, and you do not have to let your pets suffer during the process. The tips above can help. If you can’t afford everything above, make sure that, at the very least, you consult with your veterinarian. That’s one of the most important things you can do for your pet’s health no matter where you live.