Getting everything packed in time, organizing transport for all your furniture, and settling into your new house can all make moving stressful enough already. Add in the worry of settling your pet, and it could seem as though it’s all too much. That is until you discover there are ways to help your pet adjust to a new home that will help take a huge amount of stress away from the entire move.
Remember to be patient
The chances are you have already seen this house before you moved in. Although they are a new set of four walls to look at, you will be familiar with the home and have settled to the idea you’re going to move. Sadly, your pet doesn’t have that pleasure. It’s likely they will want to sniff every inch of their new home or want to find somewhere to hide out until they settle to their new surroundings. This is all perfectly normal behavior, and it’s important to remember they will come and find you when they’re ready.
Don’t change routines
If your pet is used to being fed at a particular time, always has a walk at the same time each day, or gets to sleep on your bed at night then make sure you factor in time to your move to keep up with their routine. Animals are creatures that crave the same patterns every day. Trying to mix it up or skipping something they have been so used to for the last few years could throw everything off balance for your four-legged friend.
Think about safety
Although it might sound silly, it’s important to think about your pet’s safety throughout the move. If you have a pet that loves to roam around the neighborhood then now might be the time to get them inside to safety. After all, the boxes and moving people coming in and out could cause them to panic and run away. Plus, now is a good time to make sure your pet is wearing the correct pet tags with a copy of your cell number.
Gather their favorite things
That smelly towel they love so much or the toy that has certainly seen better days are a few of the things that could help your pet adjust to a new home. These are the comfort blankets they can cling onto while everything else is still so new. If you want to go one step further, then putting their bed, litter tray, or toys in similar places to your old house can soon make it feel like your pet’s new home.
Keep anxiety to a minimum
When it comes to helping your pet adjust to a new home, it’s essential to avoid things that will make them anxious. Some animals are only happy when they are by our side meaning having an extra helper throughout the move might be the only option. On the other hand, some pets might be better taken away from the situation. Perhaps there is a friend or family member that would be willing to look after your furry friend until you have everything moved to the new home?
It’s not just us that gets upset saying “goodbye” to an old house and “hello” to a brand new home; our pets can also be affected by it all. So rather than making things more stressful, hopefully, these tips to help your pet adjust to a new home will make it into a smooth transition for all members of the family – even the four-legged ones.
