Moving across the States with pets: Ultimate guide for a joyful journey

While it may seem complicated to pull off, moving across the States with pets is entirely possible with good organization. Here’s everything you need to know about it and more! You will see that it’s easier than it seems and that you’ll do it quickly, too! You are in for a joyful journey with your furry friends! Just remember that organizing everything is critical, especially since you relocate with pets. To keep them safe and healthy, there are some precautions you will need to take. Our team at Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage WA is discussing things you need to consider to ensure everything goes smoothly and flawlessly. Read on!

Prepare for the move beforehand to ensure everything is fine

Your first step on this journey is to make sure everything is ready to go! First of all, you’ll want to make sure you have all the necessary documents and info about your pets. For example, make sure that you know your pets’ exact age, breed, and specific health considerations. This may seem trivial, but it’s essential when traveling long-distance! This will also help you know how well your pets accept change and how well they behave when traveling.

Many people overlook this, which puts them in several troublesome situations. Also, it’s essential that you also do your regular veterinary checkup. It’s also good to be on top of your pet’s vaccinations. A vet can also help you with any potential travel-related medications. They’ll also issue you a health certificate and vaccination records if necessary.

Another important step is to make sure you’ve planned your travel route. While at it, you should check for good places to hang out with your pets. Let them run or walk a bit if you can. This is especially important for dogs, so make sure to find good rest stops. There are plenty of great pet-friendly accommodations across the United States, so you and your pets can rest for a bit. When traveling across the US with pets, remember that the local weather and climate may suddenly change. While your chosen cross country movers Seattle trusts relocate your belongings, you should take care of your furry friends.

How to pack and organize moving across the States with pets effectively

After you’ve packed, it’s also time to pack your pets. Bring everything they need regularly. For example, you’ll want to bring plenty of food to meet their daily demands during your journey. It can be hard to estimate this, but you know best when it comes to how much your pets eat. Moreover, remember also to bring water and whatever treats they like. You should ensure that they’re on the same eating schedule if you can.

This can help most of the pets feel more relaxed about the whole sudden change and traveling. Depending on your pet’s type, you also want to bring your leashes, harness, and carriers to put them in if necessary. Other things that most people bring with them are toys, bedding, and some kinds of comfort items their pets enjoy.

Make a folder with all the important documents that your pets have. For example, lots of people put the following things in them:

• Microchip info and registration forms are important when moving across the States with pets
• Copies of health records that may be important for your next vet,
• Vaccination records that your pets have taken.

Another important thing you must deal with is creating a safe travel space for your pets. Naturally, this will depend on your pet’s type and breed, but you’ll probably already know what they like. If you still need to get something right now, you can always get something just for this travel. If you don’t have a need for travel containers afterward, you can always just put them in a storage unit you rent out from Seattle storage companies.

Another vital thing to do is to let them explore the container before they travel. This can help them feel more relaxed about your travel. It’s also important to note that The Humane Society of the US recommends putting your dog into a crate anchored by a seatbelt, while your cat should be in a restrained carrier.

Spending time on the road with your pets when traveling across the States

Once you’ve done all the preparations, it’s time to hit the road with your pets! You should be pretty relaxed about it, as you’ve made all the necessary preparations by now. If you’ve done everything by now, there’s nothing to be anxious about. And if you still need to, there’s still some time to do last-minute preparations. Please remember to make sure your pets are safe and placed in designated containers based on their type and breed.

If driving, ensure that they cannot distract you, which may cause a car accident. Try to follow your planned route as much as possible to let your pets have free time to relax and tend to their bathroom needs. You should also use this time to rest yourself, as all of this can be tiring.

While traveling, it’s important to remember that you should never leave your pets inside the vehicle alone. It can cause them a lot of stress, and depending on the weather, it can also be really harmful. To avoid this, try to be with them all the time. While at it, you may also want to learn some calming techniques that you can use.

You probably already know what calms your individual pets down, so make sure to use these techniques. Lots of long distance movers Seattle has recommend to use positive encouragement and give plenty of rewards to your pets. This will help you go on with the journey faster, ultimately shortening the whole experience for you and your pets.

What to do once you arrive at your new home

Even though you may think now is the time to relax, there’s a lot to do at this point. First of all, you’ll need to unpack everything. Depending if you have hired professional movers, this might take some time. After you are finished, you’ll need to attend to your pets’ needs, as well. For example, you need to let them explore their new home and get used to it. Some pets don’t like changes and may need some time to adapt.

Be understanding, and help them through the process. One good hack is to let them explore the new home room-by-room. Once they’re done with that, you can show them the backyard if you have one. This can make it easier for them to adjust and accept the new reality. The bigger the whole area, the more time they will need to adjust to it.

While at it, you may want to eliminate any potential hazards for your pets in different rooms. While this generally won’t be a problem, you do need to be mindful of the bad things that might hurt them. Moreover, it’s also important to think about this when packing. For example, you don’t want to leave any small stuff around your dog might decide to swallow. That’s just one of the reasons why you need to be there for your pets.

Show them love, attention, and patience as they grow used to this whole change in their lives. If you notice they’re acting in any way different, you might want to take them to a local vet. Animals can experience moving stress too, even though it’s sometimes hard to see that it’s happening. But, you know your pets the best, and you’re most likely to see if something is wrong.

Establish routines after moving across the States with pets

Moving across the country is a big step. However, pets, just as humans, need to establish routines in order to function in their day-to-day life. It’s important to be able to provide this for your pets, as they will surely need it as they learn to accept their new home and surroundings. For example, you should start taking them outside at the same time. If you can, you should also schedule their meals so they can know when they can expect to eat.

Another important routine you need to think about is finding a local veterinarian you’ll be taking them to. Read some online reviews, and make sure you do your research before settling on the final one. Lots of pet owners who relocated with the Washington movers say they needed at least a week to locate a good vet in the area, so don’t rush it.

After finding the right vet, it’s time to schedule your first appointment. It’s also important to remember that the first check-up they have with the new vet is probably going to last a bit longer than usual. After all, they will also need time to get used to them, as they’re probably used to the old ones. This just goes to show that you need to be patient with your pets. After all, moving across the States with pets is not a small deal!

After you’re done with the vet, it’s a good idea to locate the local pet shops where you can buy various things. For example, you’ll probably need pet stores, groomers, and boarding facilities. Depending on the size of the community you’ve moved to, they may be closer or at a longer distance from your current location.

Moving on with your life after relocating

As you can see, there’s a lot you need to do when relocating with pets. Luckily, it’s going to be all over pretty fast. Even though it may seem like moving to a totally new place is going to take ages, it comes and goes quicker than many think. In the end, it’s important to remember to simply go on with your new life. You’ve relocated, your pets are fine and now is the time to simply relax. Take care of yourself, too!

Perhaps you want to find a new job or just a new place for your hobbies. Whatever it is, don’t forget to simply enjoy your new life, as well. Moving to a new place is meant to bring on a positive change, and you should definitely enjoy it. After all, you did put a tremendous amount of effort to relocate, so why not cherish it!

Locate the new nearby pet-friendly posts and go explore!

Even though your journey so far required lots of organizing and managing, now is the time to simply let go. You’ve dealt with all the moving-related business and found the new vet or pet shops. Now, the only thing that remains is to enjoy your time with your pets!  If you’re into hiking and the place you’ve relocated to has good hiking opportunities, go do it!

If not, there are probably lots of different hobbies you can try and explore with your pets. This can be a great way to forget all about the moving services Seattle and other companies offer and focus on yourself for the first time in quite some time. Moving is exhausting, but nothing is better than finally settling in your new life after moving across the States with pets.

Why Choose Us

History

Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage is locally owned and operated by the same family for four generations, since 1890. We have a well-established reputation for service quality and reliability with a high percentage of repeat household and commercial clients.

Professionalism

We’re a certified ProMover by the American Moving and Storage Association with A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, voted “Best in Western Washington” in 2009 and from 2011 to 2016 by KING5. Our company is fully licensed and insured and member of WMC and AMSA.

Value

Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage provide free, no-obligation in-home estimate and competitive rates, including low minimum rates for shipments moving under 300 miles. We’ve set a refund policy for unused packing materials and three Puget Sound locations to help clients save on travel fee costs.