Moving homes is one of the most stressful things a family can go through, and that emotion also applies to the four-legged members of your family.
It is no secret that animals are creatures of habit (literally), often your dog prefers the same route on his/her walks, and no doubt your cat has picked a small part of your house out to call his/her own. So, it makes sense that the upheaval that occurs when you pack and move from one home to another comes with a high level of stress for our furry friends.
However, there are methods you can take to assist your pet in this seismic change as well as ease your own mind for their well-being.
KEEP IT CALM
When moving day arrives, the best way to reduce stress on an animal is to keep them in the quietest area possible. This could mean emptying a bedroom on another floor and closing the door or putting them in their carrier or kennel in the garage away from all the mayhem. Make certain you check in on them regularly and try to feed or walk them at the time you usually would; having some sense of a routine amid all the changes will help a lot.
STAY TOGETHER
Take your pet to the new house in your own vehicle. Cats and small dogs can be put in a carrier in the back seat, which can then be secured with a seatbelt. A bigger dog can be moved in a kennel in the back of the car. Some animals feel more comfortable if you throw a blanket over their carrier during the car ride so they can’t see the environment changing outside.
MAKE SURE ALL IS SETTLED
Be careful when transporting the animal to your new neighborhood because if they get out, they can easily get lost in the unfamiliar surroundings. Once they’re in the car, it’s important to not open the kennel or carrier until the pet is in the new home, even if the pet is usually well-behaved or docile. Give them a few days in the new home to adjust.
FIND THEM A QUIET, CALM PLACE
After theMoving homes is one of the most stressful things a family can go through, and that emotion also applies to the four-legged members of your family. movers have left and a sense of calm is established, set your new home up as much as you can, even a single room, before you introduce the animal to the new home. Confine them to a section of the house while they slowly adjust to their surroundings. Give your pet lots of attention and introduce familiar objects like toys or blankets as soon as possible. Make them feel as at home as you do!
KEEP THEM SAFE
After you move, make sure you update their tags or microchip information to the new address and phone number.