At Cummings Moving, we enjoy moving families from one home to another, including your family pets. Although our moving teams aren’t particularly trained to handle moving day with your pets, there are multiple ways you can help reduce stress and fully enjoy the moving process with your pets.
We’ve compiled a list of the top tips on how to smoothly and easily move with your pets, whether you have dogs, cats, fishes, or reptiles. Here are 5 excellent practices for a successful pet transportation and relocation to your new home:
- How to Move with Cats.
0If you’re a cat owner, you know that cats can be very territorial and may be shy to welcome new strangers into the house. When movers come to the house, give them treats to give to your pet as a way to welcome themselves – this will certainly help your cat get quickly acquainted. Additionally, since cats are sensitive to their surroundings, slowly introduce them to the new home by restricting them to one or two rooms at a time.
Also, it’s important to make sure your cats are safe in their crates during the relocation to the new home. Crates are not only the safest way to transport cats, but it gives them a comfortable space to relax during the drive. Surround your cats with familiar objects in their crate, like a blanket or toy.
- How to Move with Dogs
Similar to cats, dogs can sometimes be territorial which can cause stress with the movers around. Give the movers a treat bag, and have them introduce themselves to your dog with a few treats. In addition, when moving your dogs, the safest option for transportation is a crate or dog cage. Also, be sure your dog has a decent amount of room in the car, so they won’t interfere with your driving.
Dogs should also be gradually introduced to their new environment, then leashed outside in the backyard. If you aren’t able to stay with your pet during the first few days in the new home, consider getting a friend or pet sitter to stay with the dog and ease their stress.
- Moving with Small Pets
Small pets, including guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, or gerbils, are extremely sensitive to temperature changes. Make sure you protect your small pets from any cold drafts or direct sunlight. Also, small pets can travel in the cage they usually live in, but seal the cage so that they can’t escape.
- Moving with Fish
TraVeling is actually very difficult for fish, since they need clean water directly from an aquarium at a specific temperature. When relocating, place your fish in bags with clean water, and tie rubber bands around the tops of the bags. Then, place the fish bags in a dark, insulated cooler. When arriving at your new home, let the filter run for a few hours before placing the fish back in its tank.
- Moving with Birds
Birds must be kept in their appropriate-sized cages, with the bottom covered with litter. Please secure the cage or carrier doors with a clip from the outside. Also, keep your birds cool and away from direct sunlight at all times. Lastly, you can transport food and water from the previous house, then slowly switch to new supplies at the new house.
For more information on moving tips, pet transportation, or San Francisco relocation, please call us at 415-387-4000, or browse our moving checklist here. Don’t forget your pets on moving day!
