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Moving Advice

By Betsy Burlingame

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Moving involves tremedous change for you and your family. With hundreds of details to handle, a few things are bound to get overlooked no matter how organized you are. Don't let your family pet be one of them.

Even though you may only be moving from the city to the burbs or one town to another, a new home means an whole new world for your dog or cat. There are a few simple things that you can do to make the move as stressfree as possible for your pet.

Before You Move

Don't Throw Your Pet's Old Belongings Away

The old plaid dog bed your lab chewed from one end to the other may seem disgusting to you. But, your dog has developed a sense of attachment to it that will help him feel more at home in his new surroundings. The same goes for chew toys, cat hutches and other tattered pet belongings.

Vaccination Records & Other Papers

Rather than packing away your pet's vaccination records and other papers, keep them in an easily accessible place. You may need to register your dog or cat in your new town.

Order a New Identification Tag

Before you move, order a new identification tag for your dog or cat. It's an easy task, but one that might be overlooked after you move.

Update Your Pet's Microchip Record

If your pet has a microchip that helps kennels identify him without a collar, be sure to notify the American Kennel Club of your new address.

When You Move

Keep Your Pet Confined on Moving Day

When moving day comes, your pet will sense the stress and excitement around him. Yes, your dog or cat make like to be a part of the action, but not today. Keep him in his crate or in a confined area. Or, if he has a kennel or relative's house where he's used to going when you travel, send him there for the day.

A New Home for You & Your Pet

When you bring your pet home to your new place, introduce him to the house gradually. Consider using gates to confine him to one or two rooms during the first few days.

Stick to Your Pet's Normal Routine

One of the best ways to ease the transition is to keep your pet's routine as normal as possible. If you usually walk your dog in the morning and evening, try to stick to that schedule. If your cat eats at 7 am everyday, keep it that way. Your pet's schedule is comforting to them -- and keeps their hunger and nerves in check.

Keep a Close Eye on Chewers and Scratchers

If your dog has ever chewed on furniture or your cat has scratched floors or screen windows, you don't want him to practice in your brand new home. Sometimes nervousness and stress can trigger these types of behaviours. Keep him in his crate when your not closeby.

Don't Ignore Your Pet

If you make the effort to pet your pooch, scratch behind your cat's ears or just cuddle with them on a regular basis, they'll be reassured that home is where your love, care and affection is!

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.


First Published: Jun 30, 2003

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