Preparing Your Pet for Relocation
Moving abroad is a stressful time that involves packing, unpacking and organizing people and belongings. If you have pets that are going to move with you then remember that this can be a stressful time for your pet too.
Here are some tips to help you prepare your pet for relocation…
• Recognize That This Is Difficult For Your Pet Too
The change in routine triggered by the entire relocation process and any stress that you may be experiencing is bound to be noticed by your reasonably befuddled pet. While you can talk, share and sometimes even vent out your frustration your pets can only express it or withdraw in to themselves.
Recognize that this is difficult for your pet to because your pet has to undergo the same psychological and physical strains that you will under the moving process. The only difference is that your pets are often confused by what is causing so much upheaval in their previously stable and comfortable environment. As an owner, realizing this is the first step towards making your pets feel at ease and getting rid of the fear.
• Crate Training
Crate training is the most helpful thing you can do for your pet during relocation. The crate will be your pet's "home-away-from-home" for a considerable length of time during the move. Training your pet to stay inside a crate will ensure that your pet feels familiar and comfortable in the crate while traveling.
The best time to begin crate training is at least two weeks before the move. Spending a few minutes to begin with and then gradually increasing the time spent in an enclosure will help your pet adjust to lengthy travel in a crate when it finally happens.
• Food and Water
Contrary to what you may think, feeding your pet just before a move is not a good idea. Do not feed your pet right before the flight; instead, ensure that they have a relatively empty stomach prior to boarding. If your pet travels on a full stomach, this might give it an upset stomach that can lead to all sorts of unpleasantness.
Keep your pet well hydrated and provide your pet with plenty of water up to the time of travel and ensure that water is available to your pet during the flight and stopovers too.
• TLC
Some tender loving care will help your pet relax before a journey. Spend some time playing with your pet before going to the airport. It will be a long time before your pet gets a chance to run around and exercise, so take your pet out for a walk and a run before you set out for the airport.
• At the Airport
Arrive early as most airlines require that passengers must check in pets two hours prior to flight time. Getting there even earlier is a better idea even if it is just to give your pet some tender loving care or take him out for a walk.
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