Preparing for a move is a big job. Even if you prepare for months, you may still feel overwhelmed once moving day arrives. Time seems to speed up so that no matter how long you have to pack and get ready, it feels like just a few days. When you have a pet to take care of during the process, it can be even more difficult to get organized and keep him safe and happy. However, the devil is in the details; forgetting something seemingly small–such as leaving out a favorite toy or medication when packing–can throw off your entire day and leave your pet anxious or upset.

Start by getting organized and making lists to stay that way. Write down to-do lists, shopping lists, and map out a strategy for packing and preparing your home, including cleaning. You may want to recruit friends and family to help; having more hands is never a bad thing. When it comes to your pet, think about what he’ll need in the days leading up to the move as well as moving day itself; you’ll want to put aside a box or two just for his things, and keep one to be unpacked first in the new house that has food, medication, bedding, his leash, and anything else he may need right away.

Packing should be an organized process, too. Before you begin putting things in boxes, go through each room and clean from top to bottom. Throw out anything you can’t use anymore, make a pile of items to donate, and put aside anything you might be able to sell online or in a yard sale. Cleaning as you go will ensure that you don’t leave anything behind and will save your time on moving day.

Start in one room and work your way out rather than moving around the house; this will keep you from feeling overwhelmed. Make packing lists for every box and tape them to the outside to make finding things easier after the move. Keep a few boxes for things your family will need on the big day, such as cleaning supplies, bedding, toiletries, and kitchen items. If all the activity is making your pet nervous or anxious, try keeping the packed rooms closed off and save the living room and kitchen for last; this way, he’ll be away from the rooms with the most change and can avoid hurting himself on stacked boxes and packing material.

If possible, bring your pet to the new home and allow him to sniff around, get a feel for the layout, and explore a bit before moving day. That way it won’t come as such a shock and he’ll already be halfway toward feeling at home in the new place.

When moving day arrives, make sure you have the best helpers in place for the job. Not only will professional movers help the day go smoothly, they’ll also work more quickly and efficiently over friends and family. Make sure they’re okay with working around your pet–especially if he’s a large or aggressive breed–and make arrangements for him to stay safe and out of the way on the big day. Either keep him in a closed off room or ask a friend to take him to the park for a while. Not only will this allow you peace of mind, it will help him avoid feelings of anxiety during the flurry of activity that occurs during a move. Consider choosing the least busy day and time to move, which will create a much more relaxed environment for all involved. In San Francisco, the best day of the week to move is Monday and the best time of day is after 4p, according to moving stats from HireAHelper.

Moving day doesn’t have to be a stressful event; as long as you stay organized and ask for help when you need it, you and your pet will make the transition smoothly. For more tips on how to go about it, read on here.

Article provided by Medina at dogetiquette.info

Photo via Pixabay by PaelmerPhotoArts