Moving is often stressful for each and every family member – including the four-legged ones. Every animal reacts differently to new living quarters, and temperament has a lot to do with it. Some pets take a move in stride, and others exhibit anxiety or insecurity for a few days or weeks.
Paw-sitive Reinforcement: 5 Approaches to Help Pets Adjust Following a Move
Below are 5 considerations as the big move approaches and after you are in your new home.
1. Some help from the vet
Ask your veterinarian for suggestions about easing the transition. In the event your pet is usually anxious or high-strung, it could be worth asking your vet whether a mild calming medication could help during the transition period. Additionally it is quite normal for vets to prescribe gentle stress relief for during travel.
2. Time to explore
Upon moving in, provide your pet a chance to explore the house gradually, as opposed to letting it loose to roam at will. Limit it to one area – possibly the kitchen – for a couple of hours until it calms down. Show the pet where you’ve placed its familiar things like the food dish, water bowl and bed. You may need to keep a dog on a leash for an initial home tour. For those who have a yard, avoid letting pets out unsupervised for a couple of days until you’re positive they can’t climb or dig out from under the fence.
3. A walk in the park
Help release anxiety and pent-up energy by take your dog for a walk and sniff through the neighborhood. While people find out about a new place primarily by visual cues, dogs rely on their noses.
4. Assisting the feline in your life
Territorial by nature, cats often experience more difficulties with moving than their canine counterparts. Keep your cat safe in its carrier upon arrival, placing it in a quiet area. Once the hubbub dies down, let it out in an enclosed room away from main traffic areas. Provide your cat with familiar objects, like a bed, litter box and toys. Encourage it to look around the room, perhaps by strategically placing cat treats.
5. Update pet IDs
Amid the hustle and bustle of the move itself, remember to update your pet’s identification information prior to when you move. By doing so, if Fluffy or Fido slip out the door, anyone who finds them will be able to return them to their new home. Also, some municipalities require licensing within a certain time frame of moving. In the event your pets are micro-chipped, contact the registration company and provide them the new information.
Searching for a place that’s ideal for you AND your pets? Nick, Cindy & Nicholas Davis with RE/MAX Premier Group are here to assist you in the Tampa Bay & Surrounding Areas.