I was wondering if anyone has any advice about moving with animals? I've been looking online for info but I was hoping for any advice from people who have actually done it. We're only moving about a block and a half, but it's from a small apartment to a large (for them) house.

We have an easygoing dog, we're not too worried about her reaction (she's been through the yard of the new house already during walks). We have 2 indoor cats and 2 large aquariums that we're nervous about. The older cat likes to sneak out as much as possible so we're going to keep him confined to a room while we move the rest of the stuff from the apartment and do that room last. The younger cat has never been out of the house except for vet visits. She seems very timid of the outdoors and hates car rides as well. I'm a little worried about losing them in the new house. The vet warned us that the younger cat, b/c she has a virus that stays in her system (can't remember which one), will probably get sick if we move, sot here's that concern as well.

The aquariums are a whole other matter. We cannot combine the fish into one transport bucket (one tank has a pirahna) and they both need to be kept warm and aerated (?) until we get the tanks set up in the new place. The tanks will have to be cleaned before we can put them back in also, since we're switching the fish tanks (meaning they're going in the opposite tank of what they come out of) and they haven't been thoroughly cleaned for a few months and we're switching the "themes" of the tanks as well. We have to either boil water or use cold water to fill the tanks back up and wait for the temps to raise.

I think the most stressful thing about moving now is making sure my animals are all okay and taking it well. The rest of it is going to fall where it may. Thank goodness we won't be moving again any time soon!

Any advice would be appreciated at this point. We're in a rush now, we just found out last week that we got it and it's looking like we'll begin moving next week. Boxes are piling up and all of the animals are staring at us like we're crazy.

moonduck

Since it will be a short move I think it will be fairly easy. I moved my cat and I to another state. NE to Ohio. He got sick the first 5 minutes, pooped and meowed the whole way there. He was so tired he laid down, closed his eyes and still meowed, but we made it.

I would recommend moving the cats and all their gear first. Set them up in a room that you can keep closed off (utility room, 2nd bath, spare room). If you have help moving, put up signs to tell people to stay out. If that is still a problem, leave them in their carriers until the move is complete. After all the moving is done and others are gone, then let them out to explore.

Maybe you can borrow tanks for the fish or even put them in the tub until you get the tanks set up at the new house.
Best of luck, Ona Journey

I'll second the comments made by Ona Journey. Moving the cats first is the way I've always done it, and with good results. They're scared at first, but once they start to see and smell all their old stuff coming in, they forget about being scared.

As for the fish, good luck! Depending on the fish, as you may already know, temperature could be life or death for them, as can ph balance. Without having another tank already set up to put them in, it will be tricky to keep them alive.

Hope it all turns out well, and congrats on the new place!

FG

I am in aggreement with Ona Journey. We moved 2 cats (brother and sister) 1600 miles. We kept them in a cat carrier the whole time, only letting out for "neccessary" break and water. When we arrived at the new place, they were kept in teh carrier in a closed off room for a while, then they were released to explore that room only. As time went on, we slowly let them go into the other rooms, as they felt comfortable. The male cat is very outgoing and he adjusted fairly quickly. The female is more timid, and she took her time about exploring, but they both seemed to adjust in a 24-hour time period. Another thing I would suggest is to put something with them in the carrier and closed off room that smells of you and/or their "favorite" person, so that they feel/ know that it is okay, and they will be more comfortable and adjust more quickly. An old "sweaty" shirt/ T-shirt they like the best. (as gross as it sounds, animals tune into smell)! Talking to them in a calming voice and reassuring them also helps.

As far as fish, I can't help you there!

Good luck on your move!!! I hope all goes well!

LtW

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The aquariums are a whole other matter. We cannot combine the fish into one transport bucket (one tank has a pirahna) and they both need to be kept warm and aerated (?) until we get the tanks set up in the new place. The tanks will have to be cleaned before we can put them back in also, since we're switching the fish tanks (meaning they're going in the opposite tank of what they come out of) and they haven't been thoroughly cleaned for a few months and we're switching the "themes" of the tanks as well. We have to either boil water or use cold water to fill the tanks back up and wait for the temps to raise.

See if you can get some fish store quality bags and bag up the fish (double for safety sake) and keep them inside a cooler (the type that Omaha steaks come in are perfect) and provide some indirect heat with warming pads (available in the aquarium section or maybe those little hand warmers wrapped in paper towels.

Where are you located? Is there an aquarium 'club' near you? I belong to the New Hampshire Aquarium Society (www.NHaquariumsociety.com) and there are many knowledgeable people that may even be willing/able to give foster care to some wet pets until you get settled.

Are you waiting for the prior owner/renter to move out? Could you leave some water at the new home in either 5 gallon buckets or gallon jugs to allow for the release of chemicals and to come at least to room temp a few days prior to moving? Perhaps if that could be done, so could the move of the tanks so that on the busy day of furnature and life's belongings the fish are not 'a bigger burden' (my DH does not get my attraction to keeping fish and tells me endlessly when they get in HIS way!)

I hope that I have helped, and not made it sound like more work. Feel free to contact me with more details!

Six Stars

I agree with the previous comments.

Cats and dogs are really adaptable. Your kitties may spend the first day or two hiding in the basement, but eventually they'll get curious/hungry enough to emerge. Give them lots of love when they do. Let them hide until they feel safe. When they come out for tentative explorations, give 'em lots of love and reassurance. If they misbehave a little at first, remember that this is a manifestation of their stress and anxiety.

They may surprise you by jumping on top of the pile of boxes and survey the chaos like an emperor looking over his vast empire.

Call you fish store. I'm sure that all the staff keep fish, and can advise you on the best approach to moving your finny friends.

Lisa

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Are you waiting for the prior owner/renter to move out? Could you leave some water at the new home in either 5 gallon buckets or gallon jugs to allow for the release of chemicals and to come at least to room temp a few days prior to moving?

The house is empty and currently heated. The seller says that we can move the fridge and stove in next week when it's delivered, to just call ahead and let him know so he can leave the house unlocked for us, so I may be able to do this with the buckets. I never would have thought about that thanks!

The suggestions for the cats will be very helpful, thank you. I forgot about putting smelly clothes in with them and how they might "misbehave" at first. They're used to one litter box at this time, I think we're going to have to get another one so that they have two in opposite parts of the house and will hopefully be less likely to make mistakes.

They are curious about the boxes piling up, they keep rubbing their paws and faces on them to put their scent on, it's actually quite cute. The dog is enjoying having the couch to herself and "supervising" us.

Thanks for all the advice and good wishes. It's all falling into place so quickly that I'm getting overwhelmed (not to mention the holidays approaching!) but knowing my animals are being taken care of in the best way possible will help.

moonduck

We moved from California to Oregon (10 hour drive). We only had one cat at the time (now we have 5). We actually got some tranquilizers from our vet for the car ride, then once we got to the new place we borded her at a new vet's office for 3 days so we wouldn't have to worry about her accidentally getting let out. After everything was moved in we picked her up and brought her home. We left her locked up in her bedroom (my room) for 1 day and 1 night then let her out to wonder. This made her feel secure with familiar things before smelling all the new stuff. It worked really well and she aclimated herself very quickly and easily.

As for the dog.. the same proceedure should work... or get a dog run to put in the back yard for her to run in while the moving takes place.

Hope this helps


Team Springamajack

We've moved A LOT, and we've brought kitties with us. Maryland to New York and back for several summers, Maryland to Texas and back, Maryland to Connecticut, Connecticut to California.

Usually, the cats howl like they are going to their deaths for the first twenty minutes of any car trip. After that, they must decide that they are being undignified, or just realize that all that drama is expending too much energy and they shut up and go to sleep. Cats, amazingly, just cross their legs for the duration of most car trips, which is a good thing, because taking a cat out on a leash is usually more like "taking the cat for a drag" than for a walk.

We bought the pills for the cats when we moved four kitties to Texas. Usually, we could get two cats to swallow. One would bite, and one would clamp her jaws shut. Of the two that would accept the pill, one would hold the pill in her mouth until we were sure we had stroked her neck enough to make her swallow, then she would spit a pulpy pill on the carpet. Lovely. We finally determined that we were just terrorizing all felines an humans and gave up on the whole endeavor.

And then there was the flight from Syracuse NY to Oakland California that should have taken five hours and ended up taking thirty nine. We were travelling with a newly adopted barn cat who was a delight, and kept everyone smiling. Poor thing crossed her legs for thirty eight and a half hours and finally lost it when the plane touched down.

How could you blame her?
Lisa