If you think moving is stressful for you, let’s talk about your pets for a minute. Cats and dogs are very sensitive to changes in their environment, and moving to a new home is a huge event for them. Here are some tips on how to make it easier on your furry kids.

While you are preparing for your move:

• Set out their carriers several days before you leave, and leave them open so they can explore them and perhaps sit in them.
• Bring the packing boxes in a few days early as well, so they have time to acclimate to the sight of them. (The Dollar Self Storage in your area has high quality packing and moving supplies available for purchase.)
• Try to keep their routines as normal as possible – feed and walk them at the normal times.
• Your pets respond to your mood – if you can manage to stay calm and upbeat during this stressful time, it will help your pets to stay calmer as well.
• Keep track of your cats – the more stressed they are, the more they are likely to look for hiding places, including holes at the back of your closet you didn’t know existed, the tiny space between the dryer and the wall — and packing boxes.
• Keep your dogs leashed – even the most well-behaved dog can run away when faced with the stress of moving to unfamiliar surroundings.
• On the final day, you might want to confine them to one room. Cats especially might try to run away, so best to keep them safely confined. You could also consider having a friend or neighbor take care of them while the truck is being loaded, or board them for the day at your vet.

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