If you have ever moved with a dog or cat, you know that this can be a stressful time for both of you. All the rush, packing, and planning can make your pet uncomfortable. With a change in their routine, dogs and cats may feel insecure about their position. When you move with your pets, their surroundings and smells change. This is a distress signal for your furry baby. How can you help your pet adjust to a new home?
You must prepare for moving with pets in advance. During this time, it is important for you to remain calm and consistent. Remember that you are the most familiar anchor of your pet in your new home. If they are timid, insecure, or harassing you, you may need to be patient with them. Always stay confident, calm and consistent.
To ease the worry of your furry friend, we’ve put together some of our best tips to help your pet relax while moving and adapt easily in his new home.
Here are some steps you can take to help your pet adjust to a new home
Before you move with your pet
Dogs and cats will know that something is wrong before moving. They will see how you pack boxes and bags and try to find long distance moving companies Alabama, and feel your mood. If you are worried about the upcoming move, your pet will probably feel it too. There are a few things you can do before actually moving to help your pet feel at ease:
- Priority quality time. Spend time with your pet before moving it to focus its attention on you. If your pet is a dog, strengthen the basic obedience commands so that they are fresh in their minds.
- Spray your scent. Spray a distinctive smell, such as your perfume, around the house three weeks before moving. Also, spray the same smell in your new home before your pet arrives.
- Look at your new space for danger. Check your new home for any poisonous or dangerous items such as rat poisoning or traps, holes in the fence, or chewing items.
- Make sure there is a vet on call. If you are moving to the other city, find a veterinarian in a new city - just in case.
- Update documents. License your pet in accordance with local regulations, update their identification tags and contact your pet’s microchip or tattoo registry to update your contact information. Don’t forget that those are very important documents to collect before the move.
- Box train in advance. If your pets need to be transported in a crate while moving, make sure they are trained in the crate so that the new situation does not cause them stress.
While moving with your pet
On the day of the move, it is important to remember that your dog or cat is safe, calm and contained. Thousands of pets run away during the move every year, and many of them never go home. You can minimize the likelihood that this will happen to your favorite companion, and make its move more enjoyable if you remember these tips.
- Minimize bother with the toy. Keep your pets in boxes with toys so they are kept busy during packing.
- Get help with observing your pet. If you need, ask a friend or family member to monitor your pet so that it does not get into the bustle.
- Build a safe space. Your pet may get scared when moving boxes begin to pile up. Make sure they do not run out of the door, putting them in a safe place where they cannot be lost or injured.
- Keep them marked. Make sure your pet has the proper identification and tags when driving with long distance movers Georgia, in case it runs away.
- Treat them if necessary. If your pet is worried about moving, consider having your veterinarian prescribe medicine for anxiety.
- Feed them lightly. Feed your pet easily on the day of moving, especially if it will be in the car for a long time.
- Pit stop plan. If your dog will spend a lot of time in the car, explore dog parks or hiking trails so that they can stretch their legs (and do their own thing)!
Adjustment with your pet after moving
Once you have all moved, it is important that your dog or cat feel at home. There are several things you can do in your new place to help your pet adjust to a new home and ease any fears your pet may have about abandonment or unfamiliarity. You must send non-verbal signals that they are safe, loved and a permanent part of your new home.
- Introduce your dog to a new space. When you get to your new home, bring your dog on a leash and to the street so they can learn new smells while they feel safe.
- Bring cats into one room at a time. When you get to your new home, slowly introduce a new space to your cat. Restrict them to one room first, then slowly enter the rest of the house.
- Make your house a home. Before you start unpacking, place your pet’s bowls, bed, and leash in the same room in the new house as in the old one. This will help make a new house feel like home.
- Stay around the house. Plan to be at home with your pet in the first few days after moving. First, leave the house for a short time to see how they react. Then, when you need to be absent all day, your pet will feel more comfortable.
- Calm them down with a treat. Leave goodies and familiar toys with your pet when you leave home for at least the first few weeks.
- Be consistent. Keep your daily routine as close as possible to what you were before moving. Feeding, walking, playing and cuddling must occur simultaneously.
Be patient with them
During the move, do not forget to be patient with your furry friends. Yes, there may be accidents due to stress or a change in schedule. But the more you can control them and, if necessary, limit their movements, the less likely it will happen.
Finally, be careful not to over-correct your pet, as this may simply emphasize their stress more. Praise them when they are good, and be sure to give them a little extra love and attention. It will take your pet about three weeks to adapt to the new home. When you become more relaxed and comfortable in a new environment, this will help your pet adjust to a new home!