Moving is stressful for everyone, including pets. It might even be more stressful. One minute they are taking a nap on the sofa and the next minute their sofa is in a completely different place. Here are a few ways you can help your pet adjust to their new Amira home.
Moving Day
Moving day is confusing for your pet. They won’t know the movers and those strangers will be carrying items out of their territory. While cats may be indifferent, dogs are bound to be upset. To lessen the anxiety, board your pet or take them to a trusted friend’s house until everything is on the moving truck. If you can’t do either, put your pet in a quiet room with a “do not enter” sign on the door.
Be sure to put together a pet “to-go pack.” It should contain your pet’s food and water bowls, favorite toys and their beds or favorite blankets. You don’t want to be looking through a dozen boxes in order to find them once you get to the new place.
Despite the chaos, try to keep to your pet’s routine. If you feed them at a certain time during the day, do that and if your dog is used to a morning or afternoon walk try to carve out time for that.
Welcome to Your New Home
Set out your pet’s bed, food and water dishes and toys out. If you can, put them in approximately the same spot they would occupy in your old home. They will feel less stressed if their old things are there when they move in.
If you have a cat, create a quiet room. Put their food and water dishes, litter box, bed and toys in it. Once the movers leave, the boxes are unpacked and you are feeling calmer, you can let your cat out to explore the rest of their new home.
Your dog will want to explore right away, but don’t let them until you’ve checked your yard and fence to make sure both are secure. While unpacking, be aware of where your cleaning supplies are located — you don’t want Fido accidently getting into them. Keep your dog on a leash until they seem relaxed.
Keep to regular routines for feeding and walking but put aside extra time for playing with your pet. This will reassure them that this move is not punishment. If you can, spend a day or two at home with your pet after the move. They will want reassurance that you aren’t abandoning him in this new environment.
Even if your cat is usually an outdoor cat, keep them inside for at least two weeks. Otherwise, your cat might run away and try to return to your old home.
Take your dog for long walks around the neighborhood so both of you can get to know the neighbors. Make even more four-legged and two-legged friends at Amira’s Derby Dog Park. Your dog can burn of energy, play with their favorite human and start to realize that maybe moves aren’t so bad after all.