How to Prepare Your Pet for a Housing Move
By: Cindy Aldridge | 20 August 2022 |
Are you and your pet planning a move to a new home soon? If so, it’s important to take a little time to prepare your furry friend for the move – and to prepare your new home to accommodate their needs. Your pet may find relocation to an unfamiliar residence to be unsettling – especially since many pets don’t have much experience with traveling. Luckily, with the right preparations like those presented by All About Cape Cod, you can reduce the stress involved for both you and your pet.
Prepare Your Existing Home for the Market
Some people might be wary about purchasing a home where a pet has lived, so be sure to do any extra cleaning to keep your house as neat, clean, and fresh as possible before showing it. Additionally, if your pet has left its mark in any way – say, claw marks on furniture or stains on the carpet – you’ll want to get that taken care of. While you’re at it, be sure to take care of any other needed repairs, such as cracked windows or peeling paint, which could deter possible buyers.
Keep Your Pet Safe and Secure While You Prepare for the Move
Some animals may find the process of packing up and moving out to be alarming. Or, on the other hand, they may get curious about what’s going on, and decide to rush out to explore. You do not want your pet getting lost right before your move, so while you are packing up your belongings, it’s a good idea to set them up in a space with toys and food where they can be content and at peace – or, alternatively, find a good and reliable pet sitter to keep an eye on them.
Get Your Pet Used to Safe Travel
If you haven’t traveled much with your pet, start with some short stints. Cats and dogs are safest in crates or carriers, so practice getting them in and out of the type you’ll use on move day. If your pet isn’t crate trained, leave the door open and place something they love, like a treat or special toy, inside. Let them explore and get comfortable with the door open before you experiment with closing the door. If they are already crate trained, then start putting their crate or carrier in the car for short drives around the neighborhood. Make sure they don’t get car sick or experience severe anxiety.
Have Your New Place Prepared so Your Pet Feels Less Stress
It’s important to have an area prepared in your new home where your pet can feel calm and unthreatened as soon as they arrive. You may want to start your cat or dog off by just getting them used to one new room before letting them roam, so be sure this new space is secure. Also, be sure to pet-proof it so there are no wires they could chew or pieces of furniture they could knock down. You may want to set up a few climbing areas and toys to keep your pets occupied so they don’t get antsy in their new space.
Learn to spot signs of stress in your animal so you can take steps to make them feel more relaxed and less tense. If your animal is urinating frequently, scratching themselves, or you notice a change in their eating habits, stress could be taking a toll.
Many animals struggle with transitions, so don’t be surprised if, even with these precautions, your pet complains a bit. Be patient with them, take steps to reduce their stress, and try to get them to the new house as quickly and calmly as possible, so they can settle in and make themselves at home. Hopefully, it won’t take long and you’ll both be back to enjoying life together again.