Many psychologists say moving is one of the top ten most stressful events in life. Still, as difficult as it is for us, changing the location of their homes is equally hard on our pets. From the chaos of packing and the removal of familiar objects, to the long car or plane trip, moving with pets - especially indoor pets- puts them through an enormous amount of emotional trauma.. A professional moving company can be a great source of information and advice on the subject of moving pets with a minimum of stress.

With this in mind, there are a number of steps that can ease the transition. The first of these is to confine the pet to an empty, closed room during the packing process, along with its food and water dishes, favorite toys and, in the case of cats, a litter box. This protects them from the noise, confusion and strange people that have suddenly descended upon their home while providing the comfort of familiar objects and routines. It also prevents escape and assures that the pet can be found and placed in its carrier when it's time to leave. A "do not disturb" sign on the door will warn movers and family members to keep the door shut while the pet is in residence.

A full service mover can supply a proper crate or carrier which should be supplied with food, water and other essentials. When traveling, the carrier should be placed so that the pet can see its owner or, at the very least, hear familiar voices. Dogs need to be walked every few hours, so a leash should be kept handy when going by car. When the trip involves flying, a veterinarian may prescribe a mild tranquilizer for larger animals that need to be transported as cargo.

Before moving with a pet, one should be certain that all of the animal's shots are up to date and all its papers are in order. It is also advisable to check with the Department of Animal Husbandry in the destination state for entry regulations. Every state has different requirements, some of which are quite stringent. Hawaii, for example, keeps pets in quarantine for 120 days when they arrive from the mainland.

Once they're moved in, pets should be tagged with their new address and phone number and kept as close to home as possible. Both indoor and outdoor cats should be kept inside for several days, then stay leashed when taken out to learn the sights and smells of their new environment. Allowing pets to adjust at their own pace is the best way to ease the transition into their new territory and to relieve any residual stress.