While moving can be stressful for both you and your family, we can’t forget about what it is like on your furry little friends. A new home can mean new smells to adjust to and new territory to make their own. While you may not be able to fully communicate this to your pets, you can help prepare them for the big move. This Redfin article provides a guide to make your journey with your pet to your new home smoother and happier.
Preparing Before the Move
If possible, start by getting acquainted with your new neighborhood in advance. Take a walk to scout out nearby dog-friendly parks and nature trails; it will help to know about them ahead of time if you have a dog that needs exercising (or a skittish cat that may get anxious watching dogs regularly pass the window on their way there). As you’re exploring, take note of any loose or unattended pets in the area and the general temperament of the neighborhood pet population. (Do the dogs bark aggressively as you walk past or are their tails wagging? Are there any stray or outdoor cats you should be aware of before walking your dog?)
The Day of the Move
One of the best ways you can ease your pet’s anxiety the day of the move is to do your best to stay calm. Sure, this is easier said than done in a move, but if you’re freaking out, he’s going to freak out too. Stick to his normal routine as much as possible — if you normally take a morning walk together, still go. The less the move appears to impact the rest of his world, the less he’ll see it as scary.
Keep him separated from the moving chaos as much as possible. You may want to stash him in a quiet, closed-off room with his water bowl and some toys (and a litterbox for a cat). Pack up this room last, and only enter it to check in on him every once in a while. If he seems too worked up over the commotion, ask a neighbor to look after him until right before you’re ready to leave for the new place. He and his supplies should be the last things you gather into the car.
Settling In
As you start to get settled in your new home, get right back to your pet’s normal routine. If you changed time zones, make the adjustment immediately: if he normally eats breakfast at 7, feed him at 7 even if it feels like 5 a.m. to your pet. It won’t take long for his body to catch up to the adjusted schedule, so be consistent.
Ask your neighbors for recommendations on good veterinarians, and make an introductory appointment as soon as possible. Not only will you already have a doctor to contact in the event of an emergency, it’ll be a much less stressful way for your pet to meet him. Get updated tags and update the info in his microchip if he has one. Discuss any environmental changes that may impact your pet’s health or happiness; for example, if you’ve just moved from a mild climate to a desert town in the southwest, you’ll want some tips on helping him adjust to high temperatures. If you have a small dog or a cat that goes outside sometimes, you’ll want to ask about animal predators to look out for, as well.
Keep a close eye on your pet’s behavior to see how he’s adapting. You may want to take a few extra days off with particularly anxious pets, but don’t coddle them too much. Spend time with them, but make it a point to leave the house for increasing amounts of time. The more that he sees that you aren’t leaving him in a strange new place all by himself, the more he’ll be able to relax when you reach for your keys.
It will take time, but your pet will adjust eventually. Once he realizes that he’s in a safe place and most other things have stayed the same, he’ll love his new home so much that he won’t be able to remember living anywhere else.
[Read the full article: How to Prepare Your Pet for a Big Move]
