Moving with Pet Birds – Tips for a Safe Transition
Even though most households in the U.S. that own a pet have a cat or dog, many people prefer feathered pets—20.6 million to be exact. So if you happen to be one of over 20 million households with a pet bird, you could face having to move with that bird at some point in its life.
Birds can be prone to stress and a little more precarious to move than a furry four-legged companion animal like a dog or cat. Here are a few tips to keep in mind for a safe transition from your current home to your next one with your pet bird.
1. Be vigilant about nutrition
In the weeks leading up to the move and directly after, be especially vigilant about nutrition. A healthy bird is less likely to get physically stressed by a transition and a change in its environment. So take a discerning look at what you usually feed your bird, and be sure it is getting what it needs. For example, cockatiels need a healthy mix of fruits, veggies, and seeds.
2. Protect the bird during the work to prevent stress
During packing and moving, make every effort to keep your bird in a quiet, secluded place. You don’t want to get the bird stressed out before the actual transition, so the calmer you can keep their surroundings, the better. While other pets are often the last to leave the house with the family, it can be helpful to move the bird early, if you need to, just to prevent them from being immersed in a chaotic environment.
3. Pack an essentials box with bird supplies
Be sure to place all the essentials you need for your bird in a small box or container and in an area where you can easily access what you need. This essentials box should stay with the bird at all times, so you have easy access to food and supplies. Once you get to the new place, the essentials box will also make it easy to quickly replace food and water bowls, favorite toys, and any other items that the bird will find familiar.
4. Prepare the carrier or cage
The carrier or cage you will be moving the bird in needs to be prepared before packing it to your vehicle. In general, you will want to pull out anything that could sway, fall, or move during the transition. Therefore, make sure you pull out hanging toys, feeders, and any extras just before the trip.
5. Thwart stress during movement
When you move the bird, you will want to put it in a smaller cage and cover that cage. The less the bird sees going on around them during the transition, the less stressed out they will be, even though they know it is in motion. On another note, try to keep the bird at a consistent temperature. Warm or cool your vehicle appropriately to mimic the bird’s typical environment and keep it that way throughout the trip.
Need Help with Your Residential Move?
Even though moving companies don’t transport live animals, enlisting their help can ensure you have time to dedicate to taking care of your pets, including your birds. If you need help with an upcoming move, reach out to us to get a free moving quote.
