Pretty Woman Sitting on Floor with Cup Next to Moving Boxes and Dog in Empty Room.
Do you have a new puppy? Even though your family’s furry friend can complicate your move, it doesn’t have to. If you’re a new pet owner, take a look at what you need to know about moving with a puppy.
Will a Moving Company Move a Pet?
While every contractor has their own rules and regulations, your movers will not likely transport your new pet. Live animals, including puppies, don’t belong in the back of a moving truck. The risks of this type of move include:
- Canine heat illnesses. The inside of a hot moving truck can quickly lead to serious canine illnesses or worse. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the interior of a vehicle can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit in 20 minutes on a 70-degree day.
- Canine injury. The motion of the drive could jostle and bump your puppy. This may lead to accidental injuries.
- Human injuries. A nervous puppy could bite or attack a mover — even if the dog seems gentle at home.
Between the canine and human safety concerns of moving a puppy in a truck, pet owners should find alternative transportation.
Who Should Move a Puppy?
If the movers can’t transport your new puppy, who should? When possible, the pet owner (you) should transport the pet. But if that’s not possible:
- Ask a friend. Do you have a friend with a car? Compared with moving a couch or dining room table, a puppy is easy.
- Ask a relative. If you don’t feel comfortable asking a friend to move your puppy, talk to a close relative. A parent, grandparent, or sibling may offer to help.
- Rent a car. If you can’t move your puppy because you don’t have a car, rent a car for the trip. You can also transport smaller personal or valuable items.
Now that you know who should and shouldn’t move your puppy, take the next step — pack everything your puppy needs.
How Should You Pack for Your Puppy?
Before you ask how, consider what to pack. Your new puppy won’t have clothes or bulky furniture to bring with them, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have anything to pack. Your puppy’s to-pack list may include:
- Food. Even though you can buy food when you get to your new home, you may not have time to go out and get it immediately. Pack your puppy’s dry food in an airtight kitchen container, baggie, or a bin. If your dog eats wet food, only bring along unopened cans or containers.
- Toys. Your puppy’s playthings can go into a canvas tote, garbage bag, or plastic bin. Keep a favorite toy out to take in the car. While your puppy won’t necessarily need to play in the car, the toy could provide an extra sense of comfort.
- Dishes. The way you pack your puppy’s food and water dishes depends on what they’re made from. Plastic dishes can go into a box or a bin as-is. But ceramic or other potentially breakable dishes require a protective cushion. Use bubble wrap, a quilt, or dish towels.
- The dog bed. Your puppy’s bed can go in the car, or you can pack it for the moving company to take. If you do pack the bed, place it into a bag for the ride. A soft, flexible, padded bed won’t need the protection of a cardboard box or plastic bin.
Along with these items, bring your pet’s papers. These may include vaccination records, a dog license, or a breeder’s certificate. Place the documents into a file folder and keep them with you. This reduces the risk of loss or damage.
Do you need help with your move? Contact Island Movers Inc. for more information.
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