Preparing Your Pet for a Move

Photo: thesprucepets.com

Moving is one of the most stressful life events you’ll ever experience.  New beginnings can be exciting, but there’s a lot of work to do before you even get close to the new beginning! From choosing a new home to downsizing and packing your belongings to saying goodbye to your old neighborhood—not to mention the actual move itself…the stressors are endless.  Some of us try to limit how many times we relocate simply to avoid the stress!

But you’re not alone. Your pet is picking up on your stress, too.  They’re affected by the move and will need a period of adjustment, just like you and your family. Luckily, there are a few ways you can make the change a little easier for everyone.

Like most pet owners, you probably considered your pet’s needs when you were looking at homes. Whether you have a large dog who needs a spacious back

yard for running and playing or a cat who’s content to perch on top of cabinets or bookshelves, you should assess their needs just as much as any other family member’s. Fortunately, animals are resilient and should adjust to their new surroundings in a few days—a few weeks at most—but you can still try to make the transition itself as smooth as possible.

Get your pet used to being in a crate for long stretches of time.  If your pet normally has the run of your house and only crated for the occasional vet visit, they probably won’t like their period of confinement. If you’re driving to your new home, your car is likely packed with your belongings (not to mention the rest of your family) so you can’t let your pet enjoy the same freedom they would at home. Crating them is the best solution.  Plan frequent stops so your pet can come out of their crate for a short time and take care of business.

When you get to your new home, the experts at the ASPCA recommend you do some pet-proofing—tuck away electrical cords, secure window screens, and remove any stray insect repellants or traps the previous owners may have left behind.

Rather than give your pet the entire house to explore, the ASPCA pros suggest introducing them to the house slowly, perhaps room by room, so they don’t get overwhelmed (or worse, lost—remember, you’re still learning your way around, too!)

Change is never easy, but to new circumstances is usually easier if you can take things one step at a time. Your pet is the same way.

Have you ever moved with a pet? What was your experience? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!