One Month Before the Move
- Visit the Vet: This is the perfect time to get updated copies of vaccination records, refill any necessary prescriptions, and discuss travel anxiety options if your pet gets nervous in the car.
- Update Their Info: Order new pet tags with your new address and phone number. If your pet is microchipped (they should be!), update your contact information with the microchip company, effective for your move date.
- Keep Routines Normal: As chaos builds, try to keep feeding and walking schedules as consistent as possible. Pets find comfort in routine.
During the Packing Phase
- Let Them Investigate: Don’t shoo them away from boxes. Let them sniff and explore the packing supplies so they become familiar with them.
- Pack Their Bag Last: Create a “pet essentials” bag that stays with you. This should include:
- A few days’ worth of food
- Water and food bowls
- Leash, harness, and waste bags
- Favorite toys and a familiar bed or blanket
- Medications
- Litter box and litter for cats
- Create a “Safe Room”: As the house gets emptier, your pet’s anxiety might grow. Try to keep one room (like a bedroom) as normal as possible until the very last day.
On Moving Day
This is the most critical day. With doors opening and closing, strangers carrying large objects, and general chaos, the risk of a pet escaping or getting injured is high.
- Secure Them: The best option is to have your pet stay with a trusted friend, family member, or at a doggy daycare for the day.
- If They Stay: If they must stay home, place them in an empty, quiet room (like a bathroom) with their essentials bag. Put a firm “DO NOT ENTER” sign on the door so our moving crew knows to keep it closed. Check on them periodically.
- Transporting: Transport your pet in your own vehicle, never in the moving truck. Make sure they are secure in a well-ventilated carrier or with a pet seatbelt. This is especially important for longer intrastate moves, like from Austin to Dallas or Austin to Houston, where your pet’s comfort is paramount.
At the New Home
- Set Up Their Zone First: Before you unpack a single box, set up a “safe room” in the new house. Put their bed, food, water, and litter box in a quiet corner.
- Let Them Settle: Keep them in that room while the movers are bringing things in. Once the house is quiet, you can slowly let them explore one room at a time.
- Check for Dangers: Walk the new house and yard, checking for any potential hazards: loose wires, toxic plants, or gaps in the fence.
- Be Patient: It will take time for your pet to adjust. Give them lots of extra attention and patience. They’ll feel at home again soon.
A move is a big adventure for everyone. By planning for your pet’s needs, you can make it a much safer and happier one. While you focus on your furry (or feathered, or scaled) friend, let Iron Grip Movers handle the heavy lifting.