Moving out of state or across the country is a huge undertaking, and one would want everyone in the family make the trip comfortably, including the beloved pets. Moving to a new home can be a stressful process for both humans and animals. While humans would have a better understanding of the conditions of the move and can always hire companies like Safe Ship Moving Services to make the process simpler, it is the responsibility of the pet owner to make sure that their furry friend is comfortable, both during and after the house move.
Safe Ship Moving Services talks about how pet owners should approach a move
Even though it is not possible to make dogs understand the reasons for a move like a human, people can definitely take steps to keep them safe and feel more secure during the process. Keeping grooming, feeding and walking times as regular as possible for the dogs can help lower the anxiety level of the dogs, as people start to pack up their home. If possible, pet owners should set up some empty moving boxes ahead of time in order to get the pup used to them. However, it is vital to be careful with the packing materials left around the house, as things like plastic stretch wrap or bubble wrap can be a suffocation or choking hazards for dogs.
Dogs traveling in cars would require proper restraints for their safety. They must ride in a crate, a dog car seat, or with a seatbelt and harness. Crates work well for most types of dogs, as long as it is big enough for them to comfortably turn around. Car seats, on the other hand, are typically meant for smaller breeds or puppies. Harnesses come in varied sizes, enabling people to buy the best fit for their furry friend. In case the dogs have to travel by plane, one must check with the airline about the requirements for a crate or carrier for air transport beforehand. During the travel, one must keep familiar toys and bedding with the dogs to help them feel at ease.
If a dog is not used to car rides, then moving day would not be the best time for the first road trip. One must take practice drives beforehand to get the pups ready for a longer journey. Practice drives would also be a good way to identify if they have any issues such as motion sickness or anxiety in the vehicle. Pet owners must also never wait until the last minute to introduce their dogs to a crate if they are going to be traveling in one, especially for flying. They need to make sure that the dogs have enough time to establish the crate as a safe space so that they are frightened of it when it is time to go.
The team members of Safe Ship Moving Services mention that almost all pets, including dogs need time to get used to a different environment. Hence, it would be a good idea to allow them access to the new home by enabling them to explore one section at a time.