5 Tips for Moving With Pets
Categories: Resources & Tips Comments Off on 5 Tips for Moving With PetsMoving can be an exciting – though stressful – experience, and moving with pets presents many unique challenges. Here at LGI Homes, we understand that pets are important members in our residents’ families, and we look forward to your four-legged friends presence in our communities. These tips will help minimize the stress moving can cause on your animal companions and ensure they arrive safely at your new home.
#1 Minimize Their Pre-Move Stress – Unlike humans, your four-legged friends are incapable of processing what is going on while you’re moving. While you and your family view the experience as a new chapter in your lives, your pets likely just see themselves being uprooted from a place of comfort and thrust into a strange new environment. Even the process of packing and preparing can stress your companions, as they don’t understand why their favorite toys and blankets are being taken from them as you pack, and they don’t know that they will soon be reunited with them once you get to the new house. Avoid packing all of your pets familiar items at once so they have some of their favorites available to them. For example, it’s okay to pack up most of their toys or treats, but leave their bed, favorite stuffie and a bag of their favorite treats out until the last minute. On the big day, keep your pet away from the chaos and put them in a quiet room where they feel safe while you load up the moving trucks. This is especially important if you’re using a moving company, as having strange people in the home can stress your pet out even more.
#2 Arrange Veterinary Care Ahead of Time – Take advantage of the the prime locales of our communities and research nearby veterinary clinics before you move. In the event your precious pet falls ill on during the move or shortly after the arrival, you’ll feeling better already knowing where you need to take her for medical attention. Call ahead and get your pet fully registered at the new office, and have your current vet forward all of your pets’ medical records over. This way, you’re new vet will be well informed about your pets’ last vaccinations, medical ailments and health history and be better prepared to care for them.
#3 Update Your Pets’ Tags – Before you hop in the moving truck with your pets in tow, make sure all of them are wearing a collar with your current contact information. This includes the address of the house you’ll be moving to and preferably, your cell phone number. If your pet manages to wander off while you’re taking a break on the road or gets lost after you’ve settled in to your new home, the last thing you want is for the information on their collar to be out of date. If your pets are microchipped, make sure you update the contact information linked to their chips as well.
#4 Pack a Bag Just for Your Pet – If moving to one of our communities requires more than a two hour drive from your last home, put together a bag to keep in the car with you that’s just for your pet. Include one of their favorite toys, some food, some treats, a blanket and a pet first-aid kit. You can use their favorite items to comfort them during the trip and the food will ensure your pet doesn’t get famished on the road.
#5 Secure Your Pet in the Car – While your dog may enjoy lounging across the back seat, this is not a safe position for her to be in should you get in an accident. Purchase either a crate or a car seat with a restraint system for all of your pets to keep them secure during the ride. You can make both more comfortable by lining it with their bed or favorite blanket.
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