Prepare an Essentials Box: Preparing a separate box of essentials for your pets including food, litter or training pads, and any medications that your pet will need, can save you a lot of time and hassle. You will want easy access to all of these items on the days surrounding your move and having to search for and dig through boxes will only add to the moving day stress. If there are any toys, blankets or comfort items your pet loves, you should keep these in the box as well.The familiar smells will help them adjust as they move into the new home.

Call your Vet: It’s a good idea to take your pet in for a checkup before you begin the moving process. Addressing any health issues and making sure that your pets are up to date on their shots can save you a lot of stress once movin starts. You won’t have a lot of time on your hands to handle these issues once you start preparing for you move so it’s best to just get it out of the way. If you are moving long distance don’t forget to request your pets records and potential vet recommendations for your new area.

Give them time to adjust: It’s important to keep your pet in mind from the moment you decide to move. Packing, organizing, or anything outside of your normal daily activity will confuse and stress your pet. You don’t want things to feel rushed or frantic so try not to wait till the last minute to get started. Taking things slow and steady will allow your pets some time to adjust to what’s happening. If at all possible, you should wait to move your pets into the new home until after you’ve had some time to unpack. It will make it much easier for them to adjust to your new home if it already feels lived in and familiar.

Take extra care on moving day: Moving day is the most stressful part of a move and it’s important to take extra care. It is not uncommon for pets to run away, have panic attacks or suffer from heat exhaustion when not properly cared for. The best and safest option for your pets on moving day is to keep them away from the action. Recruit a friend, family member or local professional to keep you animals in their care during the day of or days surrounding your move. If this is outside of the realm of possibility for you then you will need to stay extra alert when moving day comes. Clear out a room that is as far away from the noise and people as possible. Include food, water, toys and comfort items to help your pet relax and make sure the door is clearly labeled so that movers and other people know not to open the door. The last thing you need on your moving day is a lost pet.

Have exotic pets? If you are moving with exotic pets you should keep a few additional things in mind.

• Fish do not travel well so you will want to take extra care. If you are traveling a short distance you will want to keep your fish in a bag with water from their tank during transport. If you are traveling long distances you should seriously consider giving your fish to friend or finding it a new home as they typically won’t survive long travel times.
• Small rodents can be very affected by the moving process due to their small hearts. They don’t handle quick or rough movements well and if proper care is not taken, they can die. You will want to make sure their cage is treated with extra care and travel is as smooth as possible.
• If you have bird cages or reptile/insect habitats you should make sure that these are securely locked and stored. You don’t need any reptiles or birds going rogue on your moving day. Keeping cages and habitats covered during transport will also help to ease the stress.

Most importantly, never transport your pets in the moving truck, ever. You should always keep your animals in your personal vehicle and pay extra close attention to them. Follow these steps and do your best to stay calm and collected and you will have no problem helping your pets make a smooth transition to their new home.