Moving to a new state is hard enough for people, but it can also be hard for your pet. They also experience stress, and they can change their behavior when their daily routine is disrupted and when they are put in an entirely new environment.
Preparation Is Everything
When taking your pet to a new neighborhood, you have to consider their well-being during the move and when helping them settle in your new home. While important things that involve interstate moving and storage are to be considered, you also have to make everything ready for your pet. Make the travel as comfortable as possible for them.
Pack your pet’s essentials in a separate labeled bag. Include a few favorite toys, chewables, leash, kitty litter box and scooper, a carrier and water bowls. If you have to take raw food with you, keep them in a cooler to maintain the freshness during the travel.
When it comes to cats, they need to be eased into the new environment. Put them in a cat carrier that has treats and a blanket inside. You may also want to give them safe medication to keep them relaxed and calm. When it comes to dogs, it is easier to travel with them, especially if they are crate-trained.
Moving In
The first day can be chaotic since you’re going to be loading stuff into your new home, unpacking your belongings, and moving furniture around. Moving in involves a lot of open doors, so you need to watch over your pets. The last thing you want to happen is to end up desperately searching for your pet in a new neighborhood.
Have your dog wear a tag with their name and your phone number. If you can, send your pet to daycare or enlist the help of a dogsitter while you have your hands full with unpacking and organizing.
Settling in the New Home
Traveling is just one part of your pet’s stress. The rest happens during the adjustment phase. Dogs may have an easier time getting used to their surroundings, but it’s a different story for cats. Once you’re relieved of your moving day duties, give your pet a tour of the house so they can be introduced to the new sights and smells.
The best thing you can do for either pet is to keep their meal times and bedtimes consistent. Designate a corner in the house for their food and water bowls, their bed, and their litter box or pee pad. Have your pet get familiarized with the new place. Keeping old patterns and habits will allow your pet to handle gradual changes with less stress and anxiety.
Moving to a new home is both exciting and nerve-wracking for humans. Your four-legged companion can detect what you’re feeling during this important day, and it can affect their behavior during the travel and the adjustment. Begin this new chapter of your life with a positive outlook, and make your pet as comfortable as possible during the entire process. Before you know it, your pet will be as active and lively as normal.
