As anyone who has been through a major move in the past can tell you, the process of moving impacts everyone in the home. This statement extends not only to the people living in the house, but also to any pets that may be present — moving is a big adjustment for them, too, and they’re an element that must be closely considered for any move you’re planning.
At CMS Relocation & Logistics, we’re happy to assist a wide range of Seattle clients with all their moving needs, including both commercial and residential moving services for local moves, long-distance moves and everything in between. What are some top recommendations our professionals regularly make to clients who need to include their pets in the planning and moving process? Here are a few to keep in mind.
It’s a simple reality of any move: Packing supplies are going to be part of the process, and that means your pets are going to encounter them, too. If you have a dog or cat who’s particularly skittish around new objects, it can be helpful to begin introducing them to packing supplies well in advance of the actual move day.
This will help reduce their stress levels on the big day, when there’s already so much activity going on and you don’t want to be dealing with a pet who’s feeling overwhelmed. Introduce them to packing tape, cardboard boxes and anything else you’ll be using to pack up your belongings well before move day; let them sniff around and get used to the new objects in your home.
For many, beginning the light parts of the packing process days or even weeks in advance will kill two metaphorical birds with one stone: You’ll get a jump on the packing process, and your pets will have time to get used to the new objects in the house before everything is turned upside down on move day.
Especially if you’re moving long-distance and will have to switch veterinarians, but even if you’re moving locally, it’s always a good idea to contact your vet in advance of the move and let them know what’s happening. They can provide you with important paperwork, records and any medications your pet might need during the transition period.
This is particularly important if your pet has any chronic health conditions or is taking medication on a regular basis; you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need to keep them healthy and comfortable during the move.
While we know that the moving preparation process may turn your daily routine on its head for a little while, it’s important not to make any big changes in your pet’s routine ahead of the actual move day. Pets are creatures of habit, and they do best when their routines are consistent.
If you can, stick to their regular feeding times, walking schedule and other aspects of their daily lives as much as possible in the lead-up to the move. On move day itself, try to stick to their regular routine as much as you can, too; this will help minimize stress and make the transition easier for them.
On the day of the move itself, it’s often helpful to enlist the assistance of friends or family members to help watch over your pets while the movers are busy packing up and loading everything onto the moving truck. This way, you can focus on supervising the move itself and ensuring that everything goes smoothly, without having to worry about your pets at the same time.
If you don’t have anyone who can stay with your pets on move day, another option is to drop them off at a trusted friend or family member’s house for the day; this way, they’ll be out of the way of the movers and won’t be exposed to the stress of all the activity going on in your home.
One more important tip before we get to moving day itself: Make sure your pet’s ID tags are up to date and that they’re wearing them at all times. This is important in case they happen to get out of the house during the move and become lost; with updated ID tags, you can rest assured that anyone who finds them will know how to get in touch with you.
Here are some basic tips or recommendations we can make for you moving day itself:
Moving with pets doesn’t have to be a stressful experience; with a little advance planning and preparation, you can ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible for everyone involved. Just be sure to keep the tips we’ve covered in mind, and you’ll be off to a good start!
For more on this, or to learn about any of our Seattle moving services, speak to the team at CMS Relocation & Logistics today.
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