Cats and dogs are animals of habit, and they can get just as stressed out as their human companions when moving from one home to another because the activity disrupts their normal routine. To prevent your pets from causing problems during a move and to minimize their stress, here are three ways to keep them calm.

Find a Nice Quiet Spot

One way to keep pets calm and stop them from getting underfoot is to put them in a room as far away from the activity as possible. This is particularly important if your animal companion is easily excited or threatened by the presence of strangers and you hire a moving company to help you with your relocation. Cats and dogs may inadvertently trip someone or lash out and scratch or bite a mover. In either event, free-roaming pets are a liability waiting to happen.

Clear a room in the home and set it up as the pet's hangout spot for the duration of the move. For instance, put the dog's bed, toys, food, and water in an empty room. Be sure to check on your pet at regular intervals to assure the animal you haven't forgotten about him or her and to take your furry companion for walks if necessary.

Alternatively, you can put your pet outside in a fenced in area. This is a good option for hyperactive dogs and cats. The animals can run around and tire themselves out, which may make it easier to transport them to the new home. Another option is to have a friend watch your pet during the move or to put your companion in an animal daycare.

At the very least, you should put the pet in a carrier or kennel and place it in an area that will get the least amount of foot traffic.

Set Up the Home

Upon transporting your belongings to the new home, set out as many familiar items as possible before introducing your pet to the environment. Your cat or dog may not recognize the home, but he or she will likely recognize the furniture, since the animal has lived among it for years. This will help your new home feel less strange and alien and may make your pet acclimate more quickly.

It may be especially helpful to set up a place for your pet. Move your pet's bedding, toys, etc in the area of the home dedicated specifically to him or her. This way, when your pet gets upset, he or she will have a somewhat familiar place to go to find comfort.

Travel the Right Way

If you're traveling long distance to get to your new home, you should travel by ground rather than air. According to the Humane Society, air travel is not safe for cats and dogs, especially ones with shortened nasal passages like pugs and Persian cats. This condition makes these types of animals more vulnerable to heat stroke and oxygen deprivation.

Another issue is the cargo hold can be especially dangerous because the temperature in that area is not as regulated as it is in the cabin. The noise may scare your pet, and luggage handlers may add to the trauma by handling the animal roughly.

Ground transportation via car, train, and bus is much easier on pets. If you have no other option than to fly with your furry companion, then have them travel with you in the cabin rather than the cargo hold. It may also be a good idea to get a prescription for a sedative for your pet to help keep it calm during the flight. It's not unheard of for animals to get motion sickness, so you may want to discuss antiemetic medication for your cat or dog with the vet that can help prevent nausea or vomiting during long vehicle rides.

It may take a while for your pet to get used to your new home. Taking time to keep them calm and comfortable during the relocation process will make your move much easier. For more tips on moving with pets, contact a household moving company, such as Wheaton World Wide Moving.