Keep Tails Wagging: A Renter’s Guide to Moving With Pets in Summer

A move can be a stressful experience for anyone, and that stress often multiplies when pets are involved. Pets face their own set of summer-specific risks, since elevated temperatures and humidity can lead to dehydration, overheating, and anxiety. Planning ahead and understanding the risks can help your pets stay safe and at ease during your upcoming move. Here are some hot-weather pet moving tips to help simplify your summer move!

Why Summer Moves Can Be Tough on Pets

Pets face a number of challenges from summer heat, particularly when a move is underway. Heat and humidity affect people too, but these conditions create extra challenges for pets. Pets and humans just respond to heat differently. Unlike people, dogs and other animals don’t sweat, which limits their ability to cool their bodies. This leaves them more vulnerable to overheating, dehydration, and potentially fatal heatstroke.

Moving disrupts a pet’s normal routine too, which can leave them feeling scared or anxious in unfamiliar surroundings. When anxiety runs high, it can lead to self-harming or destructive behavior, which is difficult for both pets and their owners.

To avoid these issues, it is important to include pet safety in your summer move plans.

Beat the Heat Whenever Possible

The most important aspect of keeping pets safe during a warm-weather move is to manage how much they are exposed to high temperatures. One smart approach, given this risk, is to time your move for the cooler early morning or late evening hours. Another good strategy is keeping pets in a closed, air-conditioned room with minimal foot traffic for most of the move. Keeping pets in cooled areas and staying away from the hottest times of day can help the move go more safely and comfortably for everyone.

Pack a Pet Essentials Bag

As moving disrupts a pet’s routine, it’s a good idea to keep essential items accessible throughout the day. Packing a “pet essentials” box or bag that moves with your pet can help guarantee they have everything they need and make their schedule easier to maintain. Items you’ll want on hand include:

• Their usual food and treats
• Water along with travel bowls
• Prescription medications
• A leash or harness
• Bags for waste cleanup
• Beloved toys or things to chew on
• Items for comfort, such as their bed or a blanket

Making sure pet supplies are readily available on moving day can reduce stress levels for both you and your pet.

Keep Pets Hydrated Throughout the Move

Dehydration stands out as one of the top risks pets face when moving in summer. Keep your pets hydrated all day by making sure fresh water is always available, taking frequent breaks for water, and bringing extra water along for long-distance moves. A simple setup, like a water jug and bowl in the travel vehicle or extra bottled water in a cooler, works well.

Some pets might resist drinking water due to moving-related stress, and mild reluctance is often nothing unusual. But watch them carefully for signs of heat stress, including excessive panting, lethargy, difficulty walking, vomiting, and other signs of illness. Should symptoms appear severe or persist after the move, get your pet to the vet immediately.

Travel Safely in Hot Weather

Keeping pets safe and comfortable in summer heat is challenging enough, and even more so when the move includes extended travel. A modest amount of planning, however, can help minimize stress and keep pets safe.

As an example, a pet crate or carrier can help keep your pet secure and stop escapes throughout the day, provided they can tolerate it. Anxiety can also be reduced by placing the carrier in a cool, quiet room throughout the move. If crating isn’t an option or you have real concerns about your pet, a pet sitter or boarding facility for the day may be a better fit. This keeps your pet safe and secure while freeing you up to focus on the move.

If your pet will be traveling with you during the move, it’s important to stay mindful of how dangerous hot vehicle temperatures can be. A pet should never be left alone inside a parked car. On even a mild day, a parked vehicle’s interior can rapidly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which is extremely risky for any pet. To ensure their safety and comfort, run the air conditioning continuously and only have them in the vehicle while actively traveling. Bring plenty of water and schedule rest stops if the trip is a long one. To make moving day a success, their safety needs to come first.

Making Pets Feel Right at Home

Pets can stay safe and comfortable during a summer move when you’re equipped with the right knowledge and preparation.

Need a pet-friendly rental home? Real Property Management Lakeside provides quality rental properties in your area, designed to help both residents and their pets feel right at home. Contact our team today to learn more about available pet-friendly rental opportunities near you!