Moving with Your Pet & Winners of "The Art of Purring," by David Michie

Alana - Photo by Claire Clayton

Moving can be exciting, exhilarating, exhausting and an adventure. If you're moving and you're reading this, then of course your taking your pet(s) with you. What would life be without our companions?!    

Moving with pets requires some special consideration because it will definitely interrupt their routine and they will be in an unfamiliar place. However, they will have you and that's what really counts!

Dogs and cats need to make the adjustment to a new home.  How you will go through this process depends upon some factors:  are you moving far away or in driving distance of your old home?  Closer is easier for you dog.  Easy move and cat takes a little more preparation because cats don't like change and really love their homes.

Neezie - Photo by Darlene Arden

if you're within driving distance of the new home, take your dog alone on a few casual visits to the new place.  Let him sniff around, get to see the outside and the inside, become familiar with it even though none of the furniture is there yet. Before you move in, bring something familiar for him to smell and/or play with so it doesn't all seem so strange.

Wherever you go, short or long distance, do not tranquilize your pet. It will only make travel that more difficult and suppress the animal.  Before you go anywhere your cat and/or dog should be familiar with their carrier.  Keep it out all the time and pop some treats in there and a comfy bedding as well as a toy or two. Make it the best, safest place. It will be easier to get your friend into the crate if it's familiar and feels safe and cozy.  

Before moving into the house, set up a separate room for your dog or your cat (or one for each, if possible).  With all of the hassle and noise of strangers bringing furniture and boxes, it can be very upsetting for your pet and there is always the chance for an inadvertent escape.  Be sure your pets re microchipped as well as having collar or harness and tag.  And register the tattoo. It won't help to reunite you with your lost pet if they can't find you to notify you!!

In that separate room, put a bed or the carrier with the door open, a litterbox or place to eliminate if you won't have time to walk your pup - wee wee pads, for example.  Scratching post for kitty, toys for either species, water, food and a radio or TV turned on to relaxing music or a familiar TV show. Don't forget to go into the room periodically to "visit" and reassure your pet.  You can slowly begin to let them have access to more of the house after the movers have gone.  Don't forget to use bottled water as water changes from place to place, and be sure to take along your pet's normal food. This is no time to upset the digestive tract!

Photo of Kitten by Darlene Arden

Try to keep things as normal as possible.  Put things in handy places for your pets - Cat tree near a window, for example.  Decide where they will be fed, where you want them to spend time with you at first. The family room?  Your bedroom?  The kitchen?  The choices are yours.  

Be sure everything seems normal to your pet.  Speak in a normal voice. Relax.  Soon your favorite companion(s) will, too!  

Before you move, don't forget to locate a good veterinarian.  And do make an appointment for a get-acquainted visit before you actually need to see the veterinarian to begin that relationship on a good footing.    

Remember to relax and enjoy your new life together with your pets!

And now for the announcement you've been waiting for.....  The 2 winners who will each receive a copy of "The Dalai Lama's Cat and The Art of Purring," by David Michie.  The copies provided by Hay House for our contest!  A big Thank You to the publisher!!

Drum Roll Please!  The Winners are:

Cary Hillman

and

Leopardlady

To claim your book, please send me an e-mail via my website (www.darlenearden.com) using the link to contact me.  Please include your name and mailing address.  Thank you!  You must claim your prize by this weekend or it will go to someone else via another drawing.  Thank you!!  And Congratulations!!