By W. Bradford Swift D. V. M.
If pets are a part of your family, remember
that moving, whether down the block or across
the country, is just as stressful for them as it
is for you. But this stress can be greatly
reduced with good planning. "Animals can sense
and react to stress just like people," says Dr.
William Fortney, a veterinarian at Kansas State
University. "Anything we can do to make it
easier on them can make recovering from the move
easier on us." Here are some suggestions from
top veterinarians, zoo experts and experienced
pet owners on how to minimize the stress of
moving with pets. Read the general guidelines,
then check out the specific pets that make up
your family's menagerie:
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Keep your pets' routines as regular as
possible as you prepare to move. If you normally
feed, exercise or play with them at a certain
time, continue to do so. During the final crunch
of moving, you may find it works best to keep
your pet either at a friend's house or a kennel,
reducing the chance of your pet getting upset
and running away, or in the case of cats, hiding
in a box about to be shipped.
Keep some form of identification on the pet
at all times and be sure you have current
pictures along with a written description
available. This will reduce a lot of stress
should your pet escape. If the length of the
move requires the animal be provided with food
and water, be sure the food is bland and easily
digested and that the water comes from your home
supply. Changing diet or water sources are
common causes of diarrhea and vomiting from
upset stomachs. If in doubt, check with your
veterinarian for food recommendations.
Prior to moving, schedule a visit with your
veterinarian for a thorough physical exam,
making sure all vaccinations are current,
especially the rabies vaccination. While at your
veterinarian's office, get copies of your pets'
records and check to see if he can recommend
another veterinarian at your new location. You
can also call the American Animal Hospital
Association (AAHA) at (800) 883-6301 for the
names of AAHA veterinarians near your new
home.
If your pet is on any medication be sure to
have an ample supply so you won't run out before
getting settled in your new location. Also
discuss with your veterinarian whether your pet
should be tranquilized during the move. If so,
get enough to try it out prior to the move to be
sure the dosage works properly.
Since each state has different laws and
regulations regarding the importation of animals
and some counties and municipalities have their
own ordinances, check with a veterinarian in the
new area to be sure your pet complies. It is
important to do this several weeks before your
move to allow time for all paper work to be
completed.
Temperature extremes should be avoided. In
most cases, it's best to transport your animal
in a sturdy, insulated carrier to help regulate
the changing temperature. Never leave a pet in a
hot car during the summer time or a cold car in
the winter.
If you are transporting the pet by plane, try
to book a direct flight to minimize the time the
animal may be sitting outside the plane in
inclement weather conditions. Some airlines
provide counter-to-counter service so your pet
will be carried on and off the plane by an
airline employee. While this service costs a
little more, it may be worth it for your peace
of mind.
CATS
Cats are notorious for getting into trouble
during the moving process since they are
particularly sensitive to stress. "Stress for a
cat involves three things," says animal
behaviorist and psychologist, John Wright,
author of Is Your Cat Crazy? "It involves
reaction to novelty -- cats don't like novelty.
They like sameness. It involves reaction to
unpredictability -- cats don't like events to be
unpredictable. The third thing is the degree of
control-- cats don't like to be out of control.
When you move, you have a high degree of all
three, until things settle down."
For these reasons it is particularly
important to maintain your cat's normal routine.
During the move itself, keep your cat confined
to one room with food, water, a litter pan, some
favorite toys, and the carrier you plan to use
so your cat can get used to it. The door should
be locked or have a large, "Do Not Open" sign on
it, so the movers won't inadvertently let the
"cat out of the bag."
Transport your cat in a well constructed cat
carrier large enough to have room for food,
water and a small litter box. Upon arrival at
your destination, place the cat and carrier in
one secure room with at least two doors between
the cat and the outside. Open the door of the
carrier and let the cat decide when to come out.
Allow your cat to become acclimated to the one
room before releasing him to the rest of the
house. If the cat scurries for cover when you
open the door, wait a day or two longer, then
try again. Let the cat explore other rooms of
the house when it meets you at the door.
If your cat is accustomed to going outdoors,
wait several days after arriving at your new
home before letting the cat out, placing him on
a leash or harness for short exploratory trips.
After 2 or 3 days of these trips, you can begin
to let your cat out on its own.
DOGS
Dogs are generally easier to move than cats
since they aren't as affected by the stress. A
few special considerations to keep in mind
include being prepared to clean up after your
dog at rest stops. Carry a roll of paper towels
and disposable plastic bags. Place a piece of
paper towel over the solid matter, and your hand
in one of the plastic bags. Pick up the towel
and solid matter and pull the bag down over your
hand and towel, turning it inside out. Then,
twist, seal and dispose.
If you have a small dog and plan on flying to
your new home, he may be able to fly with you in
the passenger compartment if he is small enough
to fit into a carry-on bag that will fit under
the seat. Check with the airlines for details.
If you are transporting a larger dog by plane,
try to book a direct flight to prevent your pet
from having to spend long periods in a distant
airport, and have someone scheduled to pick up
your dog at the other end.
Never leave any pet in the car for more than
a few minutes. This is especially important
during warm weather. If you are carrying your
dog with you in the car and plan to stop
overnight, be sure to call ahead to find a hotel
that accepts pets.
BIRDS
Birds need a health certificate to enter most
states and depending on the species may be
required to have tests done for certain
diseases. Since these regulations can change, it
is important that your present veterinarian
verify these requirements well in advance of
your moving.
If you will be taking your bird in the car,
maintain a warm, constant temperature since
birds are particularly sensitive to temperature
changes. It is possible to carry the bird in its
cage as long as you have a cover for it to
prevent drafts and keep the bird in a darkened
setting to reduce the bird's anxiety. If you
have an excitable bird, it may be necessary to
cushion the cage or crate with a soft material
to reduce self-inflicted trauma.
Place slices of apple, grapes or other fruit
in the cage to supplement the bird's water
supply and be sure they have adequate places to
perch.
FISH
If you have a small number of fish and are
moving only a short distance, you can move them
to their new location by using plastic bags half
filled with water and the other half with air.
Place the bags in an insulated container such as
an ice chest or Styrofoam container to help
maintain a steady temperature.
For a larger number of fish or for
transporting over a greater distance, 5-10
gallon plastic containers can be used. First,
fill them with water (either salt or fresh
water, depending on the type of fish) and change
the water often to remove any toxins that might
leach from the plastic. On moving day fill the
containers half full with water and place the
fish in the water, about 1-2 fish per
gallon.
If your trip is going to take more than a
couple of days, it's best to invest in some
portable aerators to keep the water well
oxygenated. Do not keep the containers in the
car overnight since the drop in temperature is
likely to be too severe.
REPTILES
If you are going to ship a venomous snake, it
must be placed inside two sturdy boxes or a box
inside a wooden crate. With non-venomous ones
only one box is needed. Be sure the containers
are well insulated and contain air holes for
ventilation and are clearly marked with both the
common and scientific name of the species.
If you are transporting your snake in your
car, be sure not to leave it in the car
overnight. Take it into the hotel room (be sure
they allow pets), and let it soak for about an
hour in the tub. (You will have to take
turns.)
The easiest pet to move is a turtle, which
can be overnight expressed in a well cushioned,
insulated box with air holes.
American Tortoise Rescue
(http://www.tortoise.com), a nonprofit
organization founded to provide for the rescue
of turtles and tortoises, recommends using
overnight mail. Be sure to write "Fragile, Live
Cargo" and "this side up" on the outside of the
box to increase the chances of a softer ride.
You can also place leaves or grass inside the
container for added cushion and to give the box
a more homey environment.
Remember to keep the surroundings of all
reptiles moist but not wet. Dampening a cloth
and placing it inside the container is the best
approach.
Since there are some governmental regulations
regarding the shipment of reptiles, consult with
A Fieldguide to Reptiles and the Law by
J. P. Levell. (published by Serpent's Tale)
SMALL MAMMALS
The best way to move small mammals such as
mice, gerbils, guinea pigs and hamsters are to
keep them in the car with you and in their
normal container. Take their water bottle out to
avoid it leaking and soaking the bedding. At
rest stops, check the animal and place the
bottle back in the cage so it can drink.
Be sure to maintain a comfortable, steady
temperature even if it means parking your car
away from the rest rooms to get it under the
shade of a tree. These little critters are
comfortable at about the same temperatures
people are so if you are cold or hot, they are
too.
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