Tips to Make Moving with Pets Less Ruff

Moving to a new home is an exciting time, especially with McKee Builders. Just as it can be a big change for you, it can be even tougher on your pets. Because your furry friends can’t anticipate the changes ahead, it’s important for you to be prepared. As the big day approaches for both of you, take a look at how you can help your dog become comfortable in their new space!

Before the Move

Crate-Train Your Pet

Avoid anxiety for your pets by preparing them to ride with you on moving day. Although many dogs don’t mind crates and kennels, you certainly don’t want to put your pets in one for the very first time on moving day. Get them acclimated to a crate or kennel before you make the move to keep everyone as calm as possible.

Explore the Local Area and LawsYour new home is a new area for both of you, so have some fun checking out nearby dog-friendly parks and trails ahead of time! Near our Swedesboro, NJ location, you’ll find spacious and lush off-leash dog parks within a 25-minute drive, including Lost World Park in Barrington and Runnemede Dog Park in Runnemede.

It’s also possible that the local government or neighborhood association in your new area requires a new license or has different leash laws or breed restrictions. For example, Swedesboro, NJ requires that all dog owners secure their pets on a leash no longer than 6 feet when walking in a public street or place. Make sure that your pet has proper identification and updated information, and that you follow all the rules.

Prepare Your Pets for a New Place

In the weeks leading up to the move, start taking your pets to new environments that resemble the one they’ll soon call home. Try a certain neighborhood or an area with a comparable noise level, space, and population. And if you’re close by your new home, take your pets to meet the new neighbors (and their pets)!

During the Move

Keep Their Belongings Close

Make sure that your pets are surrounded by their favorite toys and belongings in order to make them feel relaxed, comfortable, and distracted during the trip. This also includes their leashes, drinking and eating bowls, and blankets. Pro tip: don’t clean anything! The familiar scents of your old home will be reassuring, and will help to keep them at ease in their new home.

Don’t Let Your Pet Out Until You’ve Arrived

Once your pets are in the car, it’s important to keep their crate or kennel closed until you’ve arrived at your new home. Even a well-behaved pet that’s out of sorts can panic or bolt in a new place. Keep them out of sight of windows on the drive, so they’re less aware of the changing surroundings.

Keep Them Away from the Action

When you arrive, reduce stress as much as possible by keeping pets in the quietest area and out of sight of the moving mayhem — the bags, the boxes, and of course, the movers. For a larger move, consider leaving your pets with a trusted friend or family member for the day. If you’d prefer that they stay with you, designate a specific room for them with their favorite toys and bedtime items so that they feel calm, safe, and at ease.

After the Move

Keep Pets Secluded

A good rule of thumb: move your house before you move your pet. Get as much as you can set up before you fully introduce your pets to the new space. To avoid overwhelming your pets, confine them to a certain section of the house. But don’t forget to give them a lot of attention so that they still feel the love!

Keep Their Routine as Normal as Possible

As your pets adjust to the new space, avoid making any swift changes to their routines. Try to stick to your normal schedule for walking and feeding, such as the length and time of a walk, and the bowl and food brand that’s used to feed your pets. The closer you stick to what your pet is used to, the more comfortable they’ll be! (Keeping their favorite treats fully stocked doesn’t hurt either.)

Make Their New World Fun!

When you add a few fun additions to everyday life for your pets, they’ll start to build feelings of happiness and comfort in their new home. Try hiding treats in some of their new hangout places or surprising them with some extra play time. For our Swedesboro, NJ residents, you can even treat your special friend to a mini vacation — try a dog-friendly restaurant near the beach in Asbury Park or Cape May! This is a great time to get creative and have fun with your beloved buds!