It’s moving day and you’ve got to get Fido and Fluffy from their old home to their new one. Whether it’s a cross-country move or just a move across town, moving is very stressful on your furry family members. While you are loading and unloading your belongings, your pets need a cool, safe and comfortable place to hang out.
After moving three times with my dog, I’ve learned that it takes her about two weeks for her to finally settle into her new surroundings. Animals are not fans of big changes. They don’t like anything upsetting their normal routine. A new home, full of new smells and a new floor plan is a huge change for them. So, it’s your job as a responsible pet owner to make the process go as smoothly as possible for them. And, during the summer, the most important thing is to keep your pets cool.
Dogs and cats keep cool differently than humans. They don’t sweat to keep cool like our bodies do. They use panting as a cooling method. So, if your dog or cat is panting excessively, they are probably really hot.
Photo courtesy of bunnyroobeagle.com.
Drink up! Just like humans, when pets get hot they need extra water to stay hydrated and cool. Stop as much as possible to let your pet have a drink of water and get out of the vehicle to do their business.
Everyone loves a cool treat. If you are carrying a cooler of goodies for you and the family, put some frozen pup treats in the cooler as well. You can buy some at your local pet store.
Cool collar, Dawg! Kool Collar makes a great collar for your pooch. It comes with one frozen gel insert. The collar has a mesh side that goes against the dog’s neck, so you can also just throw some ice cubes in the collar. The cubes will melt, and the water will trickle down their chest and keep them cool during the summer heat.
These booties were made for walking. If your dog is going to be in some of the southern states where the heat can cause the pavement to be so hot it will scorch their paws, you may want to invest in some pet booties.
My dog sporting her cooling collar. It’s perfect for the hot summer months.
Do NOT leave pets in the car or moving truck. If the inside of your vehicle or moving truck is too hot for you to sit in it with the windows cracked, then it is way too hot for Fido or Fluffy. According to the ASPCA, “On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can reach 160 degrees.” If you need to stop for food, send someone inside to grab the food, and then eat it in the shade with your pet.
NEVER put animals in the back of a moving truck. This is very important! Moving trucks are not designed for live cargo. If you don’t have room in the cab of the truck for your pet, you should make multiple trips, or if it’s a long-distance move, you could fly your pets to your destination.
If you have any tips for how to keep your pet cool and happy on moving day, let us know in the comment section below. We’d love to hear from you!
