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Moving to a new home is often a big event for everyone in the family, and that includes your pets. Moving to a new home can make your pet feel confused or anxious, so it is important that you help your pet to adjust as best as you can. There are several things you can do to make the transition easier for your furry family member.
Stick To Your Old Routines
If your dog's daily walk was at 5:00 p.m. at the old house, it should be at 5:00 p.m. at the new house as well. Maybe your cat got breakfast at 7:00 a.m. every day at your old place. He should at the new one, too. Animals rely on routine to feel safe, understand rules, and live healthy and happy lives. Moving to a new place already disrupts much of their environment, but sticking to the same timed routines as much as possible can be helpful. Try to keep doing things in the same order as well, such as feeding your dog before walking him or letting him into the yard before breakfast time. If necessary, you can slowly start to change up routines after a couple of weeks in the new house.
Keep All of Your Pet's Old Items
You might think that buying your dog new toys or a new harness is a good way to reward him or keep him happy during a move. The opposite may be true, though. Even if you don't think old items belong in the new house, your dog does. He's attached to his toys, bed, and even his food and water bowls. It's important to keep these items for at least a few weeks after your move. As he adjusts to new sights, sounds, and smells, you can begin to gradually introduce new items in place of the old. In short, you can buy that new food bowl for your cat now, but don't use it until your pet is used to the new surroundings.
Set Up Your Pet's Space First
After a long weekend of moving things into your new home, the first thing you probably want to do is to set up your bedroom and get a good night's rest. There's one more important task to take care of first, though. When you first move to a new home, set up your pet's space as soon as possible. For dogs, this means setting out his toys, his bed, and his food and water bowls. When it comes to your cat, you'll likely want to set up his food and water bowls as well as any scratching posts he has (especially if you have new furniture). When your pet sees familiar things inside the new house right away, he is more likely to adjust well.
Avoid Leaving Your Pets Home Alone
During the first few weeks after your move, it is important not to leave your pets home alone. This is especially true of dogs. Dogs are sensitive and attached to their surroundings. When you leave them alone in a new place, they may become anxious and destructive. For the first few days, take your dog with you everywhere you can. If you need to work and can't do it from home, consider a doggy daycare for a week or two. Gradually start giving your dog toys filled with his favorite treats, leaving him alone for a few minutes and then building up to longer amounts of time alone. Within a couple of weeks, he should be fine by himself.
Consider Using an Anti-Anxiety Aid
Like people, some animals are more anxious than others. If you have a dog or a cat who doesn't do well with change, you might find that you need a little extra help to keep him calm. There is a wide variety of calming treats and sprays available that help your dog or cat to relax. Often all-natural, they use ingredients such as melatonin or lavender to calm your pet and sometimes to help him sleep. Examples include Bocce's Bakery Dailies Sweet Dreams Soft & Chewy Dog Treats and Pet Naturals Calming Chews for Dogs and Cats. Of course, if you have any concerns, it is always a good idea to talk to your veterinarian before adding something new to your pet's diet.
Spend More Time With Your Pet
Between unpacking boxes, be sure to spend lots of extra time with your dog or cat. Give your pets lots of extra cuddles and spend more time than usual playing with them. It's also a good idea to spend time on the floor with them. It helps to add your scent to the house faster, which in turn helps your pets to feel more comfortable in the home. Your dogs and cats will feel less stress during the move when they know that you are close by. Whether you're cuddling your pup while you watch a movie or spending time playing with your cat and his favorite toy, floor time is sure to help with the adjustment period.
Above all else, be patient with your pets. Dogs and cats get stressed by big changes just like humans do and may even regress in behavior sometimes. By being patient, showing them some grace, and following these tips and tricks to stay consistent, you are more likely to help your pet adjust to the new house. Soon enough, everyone in the family, including your cats and dogs, will enjoy the new home and all the happy new memories that it will provide for years to come.
