Throughout my life, I have had many dogs, usually two at a time, though sometimes three. I am one of those people who choose vacations and activities based on my furry family members. If they cannot go with, then I will not go.
Furthermore, my beloved pets even get to go to work with me. Thankfully, my boss is also an animal lover like me. In fact, if my son requests the dogs (Lucy and Mila) to stay home with him while I go to work, my boss will ask where they are.
When my ex and I got married, our dogs Josi and Roxy came to the wedding with us in the limousine! They were our flower girls (aww). Those two literally went everywhere with us. They also lived in five different homes in their lifetime, finally retiring in the home I live in today, where they spent their last days. (By the way, that photo is of our dogs Phoebe and Otis who had a litter of puppies together)
If you are a family with canines, you’ll have to think about them too when moving. Caring for pets during a move can be challenging because they also need a transition to their new life and yard.
Our furry family members take comfort in routines, and moving is the ultimate shake-up. If you have kids, it’s going to be a similar process for them as well. Also, consider hiring a moving company to handle the packing, which will take some pressure off us in other areas, allowing us to be more attentive to our furry friends and kids.
Luckily, we have several steps you can take to ensure that your pet weathers the upheaval of moving as smoothly as possible.
- Talk to your vet about any health concerns and ensure all vaccinations are up to date
- Update their ID tags with the new address and phone number
- Help them to get acclimated to their carrier well in advance of moving day to make it easier on them when it’s time to travel
- On moving day, keep them in a quiet room with their favorite toys and plenty of food and water to reduce stress levels
- If you are making a road trip, make sure to take frequent breaks so they can stretch their legs and go potty
- When you arrive at your new home, give your pet a chance to explore their new surroundings and get comfortable in their new environment
Moving with pets tips
We can see that there will be much to consider when moving with pets (and all that comes with them!). Here are some more suggestions to consider:
- Get your pet used to packing supplies and boxes.
- Avoid changing your routine to reduce stress on your pet.
- Keep your pets entertained.
- Learn about new pet laws if you’re moving to a new city.
- If you’re moving across the state, make sure you plan pet-friendly accommodations.
- Secure your pet and keep them close to stay safe.
- Pack a separate emergency moving bag for your pet.
- Prepare your pet for a safe move in your vehicle.
- Pet-proof your new home before your pet arrives.
Once you’ve made it to the end of your journey and are ready to begin unpacking in your new home, keep the following in mind:
- Introduce your pet to their new environment gradually, don’t overstimulate them!
- Make sure all food and water dishes are placed in accessible areas
- Give your pet plenty of love and attention during this time
Most dogs relax within a few days, but some immediately enjoy the adventure of exploring their new home with all its new smells, while others take weeks to adjust. If the routines in your new home differ from those in your previous home, it may take longer to settle in.
Fortunately, my dogs adjust very well as long as I am with them! In fact, I teach them “stay home,” which means where I am, they stay. Basically, wherever I am is “home.” Of course, I don’t leave them unattended or unleashed in a crowd or a public place.
They particularly love it when I take them into the woods to explore the trails, leash-free. I truly believe this is why most of my dogs have not had too much trouble adjusting to new surroundings.
Moving an old dog to a new home
I once dated a guy who had a roommate who had a cat. Her name was Simone. She was a cool cat (no pun intended, ha-ha) because she was more like a dog. She would actually go outside to the bathroom with the dogs! When the roommate moved out, he took Simone with him.
Sadly, she did NOT adjust well to her new home because he did not take the necessary steps to help her transition. Apparently, cats have the most challenging time adjusting to new living quarters.
After that boyfriend and I eventually married, we took our two dogs, Josi and Roxy, to a new rental home, and a little over a year later, we bought a house and had to move our two older dogs once again.
It’s a beautiful, large, fenced yard, perfect for dogs (and for the kids that came later). I remember when we first brought them there, it felt like I knew this would be their retirement home, since they were eight years old.
They immediately adjusted and claimed their yard and home as their own. They did end up living their last years here and never had a problem. However, that is not every dog’s story. Here are some tips to help transition that old furry friend into their new place:
- Keep up regular routines and schedules (try not to get lax about walks or play times)
- Set up a new comfortable space just for your dog
- Keep familiar furniture for now
- Don’t have visitors over right away; let them “claim” their territory first
- Be patient and understanding
Is it hard on dogs to move houses
In conclusion, following these suggestions will help to make the moving process easier on your pet and less stressful for you. So, don’t forget about your furry friends when planning your move, and be sure to take care of them during this big transition!