|
Tips on Moving with Pets
If you're a pet owner and are planning to move to a new home,
remember that moving can be even more stressful for your animals
than it is for you. But there are several things you can do to
make it easier on your dog or cat.
Start your packing well ahead of time; it's not only easier on
you, but on your pets as well. During the time leading up to
your move, try to keep your pets' eating and exercise schedules
as normal as possible. Give them the same amount of attention
and affection as you always do.
Things to do before your move:
* Get copies of certificates, medical, and immunization records
from your veterinarian.
* Purchase identification tags with your new address.
* If you're planning to travel by air, schedule your flights
early and try to book a direct flight - this will be much easier
on your pet. You need to find out what the airline's regulations
are for transporting your pet. You will also need to find out
what kind of crate will be necessary to contain your dog or cat.
* If you're driving and the trip will take more than one day, be
sure and check ahead and reserve motels that will accept pets.
* Contact the state to which you're moving and find out the
regulations regarding animals. Some states require an entry
permit for pets. * If your new home is nearby it's a good idea
to take your pets for a visit and let them become familiar with
the neighborhood and the new sights and smells. This is
especially true of dogs. Of course, keep the dog on a leash and
the cat in a carrier.
When Moving Day Finally Arrives . . .
All the confusion is certain to upset your pet so the best
solution is to have a friend or family member keep Fido or
Fluffy while the loading is being done. If that isn't an option,
keep your pet in a small room, perhaps a bathroom, along with
sufficient food, water (litter box for Fluffy) and some favorite
toys. Attach a "Do Not Enter" sign on the door so the pet is
secure and won't be accidentally set free.
You're on Your Way . . .
The packing and loading are all done and now it's time to head
for your new home. There are things you'll want to make sure are
packed for your pet. These include:
* The new identification tags.
* Medications and veterinarian records.
* Recent pictures of your pet in case it becomes lost.
* Litter box or scoop and plastic bags.
* Paper towels in case there are accidents.
* Leashes.
* Toys and treats.
* Food and water bowls.
* Can opener and cans that can be resealed.
* Regular food and water from the old house (enough for several
days). Different water can upset an animal's digestive tract so
it's a good idea to provide water from the old house for the
first few days after moving. This would not be a good time to
try a new brand of food either!
Your New Home ~ At Last . . .
When you finally arrive at your new home, let your pet explore
with your supervision. Then place Fido or Fluffy in a small room
with a crate or bed (and, of course a litter box for Fluffy)
while the unloading and unpacking are taking place. Make sure to
put some favorite toys in there and perhaps an old sweatshirt,
or something that smells familiar.
It's very important that you not let your pet outside alone
without a lead or tie for the first few days. Cats usually
require about a week but dogs adapt quicker. You don't want your
pet to wander away and get lost.
Your pet may be insecure and more prone to misbehaving during
the first few days in a new environment. Try to be patient and
not punish the initial misbehavior, instead, try to find ways to
reduce stress. Extra TLC can go a long way toward making pets
more comfortable. It's also a good idea to follow the usual
feeding and exercise schedule.
In closing, there are just a couple of things you should be
aware of to keep the moving experience as trouble-free as
possible:
* If you intend to fly, be aware that puppies and kittens less
than 8 weeks old will not be transported.
* And finally, never move a sick animal ~ it could well make his
condition worse and endanger his health.
About the author:
Kyle Thomas Haley has been helping people relocate on the
Internet since 1999 with Apartment and Relocation Websites:
The Apartment Net
Relocation
and Moving Guide
Copyright 1999 - 2005 STANZEEKAY Inc. You have permission to
publish this article, free of charge, as long as the bylines are
included.
Kyle Thomas Haley
More Articles
Smokers Put Pets at Risk - Marilyn Pokorney
Do you smoke? Need an incentive to quit? Do you have pets? Then that beloved pet just might be the incentive you need to stop. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts have discovered that pets are affected by second-hand smoke. Cats...
Jefferson Award: Ilana Strubel, vet for pets of homeless - Suzanne Pullen SF Chronicle Staff Writer
Bay Area Jefferson Award winner: Ilana Strubel, founder of VET
SOS, a nonprofit veterinary service for San Francisco's homeless
pet owners.
How she started: In 2000, Strubel was asked by a former homeless
client she had met while working as...
Pets as Fashion Accessories? - Mark Haakonsen
The rich and famous are known for starting all types of trends
and one of the latest is using pets for fashion accessories.
Famous for nothing Paris Hilton and pop starlet Britney Spears
are just a few of the individuals in the limelight...
Recognizing Medical Emergencies in Pets - Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital
IS IT AN EMERGENCY?
Some emergencies such as seizures, heavy bleeding, gaping
wounds, collapse, and paralysis are easily identified as
requiring immediate attention. Other kinds of emergencies are
not so easy to recognize but may be just as...
Lymphoma in Pets - Susan A Kraegel DVM
Lymphoma is a cancer of a specific white blood cell called the
lymphocyte. Lymphocytes are found throughout the body in blood
and tissues and act to protect the body from infec-tion.
Lymphocytes are the major cells found in lymph nodes...
Abusing Your Pets or Other Animals Will Not Take Away Your Anxieties - Stanley Popovich
When feeling stressed or anxious, some people sometimes take it
out on their pets or other animals. Both of these alternatives
are wrong. There is a better way to deal with your stresses and
anxieties besides taking it out on your pets. Here is a...
Veterinarians: How to Get Your Clients to Provide More and Better Care for Their Pets…Without Making Them Think All You Want Is Money - Lisa J Lehr
Today’s veterinary healthcare providers face a dilemma: how to get your clients to provide more and better care for their pets without making them think all you want is money. Here are some ways you can do just that (and a bonus: you’ll get more...
How To Help The Displaced Pets Of Hurricane Katrina - Hannah Chastain
The temporary shelters are filled and the pets left behind by victims of Hurricane Katrina are turning up in shelters and Humane Societies across the South.
Many rescuers have stopped trying to find the dogs and cats, and have opted to just...
Diabetes in Pets - Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital
Your pet has been diagnosed with diabetes, a disease that will
necessitate conscientious treatment on your part for insulin
administration, diet control and monitoring. Since your animal
cannot control his blood sugar, you will play an important...
Chameleons How And Where To Find Them For Pets - McKay Robbins
Chameleons are very fascinating and interesting as pets. Choosing a chameleon could be tricky though. There are many ways and sources to get a chameleon for you.
You can get it from the pet store or reptile shows etc. It is however very...
Chameleons As Pets - William Wright
Chameleons are appealing in appearance and their mystical ways of changing colors are fascinating. Keeping chameleon as pets could be difficult as compared to other pets as they are not very friendly and they need a lot of extra care. But if you are...
Accommodating Your Elderly Pets - Kim Prissel
When pets get older, there are some accommodations you may want
to make for them. A pet's behavior may change as it ages. The
first recommendation would be a visit to the veterinarian. Many
symptoms interpreted in elderly contributed to age may...
|
