Nine Tips for Moving Your Pet into Your New Home

Time to break in that new home smell! You have moved in all of your furniture, clothes, pots and pan, photo albums, and all of the precious cargo that you have accumulated over the years. But wait! What about your pet? Moving into a new home or apartment can be stressful and adjusting your pet to a new living space can add to the stress. How can you make the move with as little fuss as possible?

Here are some tips to keep Fluffy and Fido’s move as easy as possible.

1. Make a list of all your pet’s belongings. You don’t want to forget a favorite toy!

Making a huge list of things you need to move over to the new home is usually a first step for people when they are planning to move. Having a subsection of the list that includes all of your pet’s belongings may be a good idea to avoid forgetting something. Always check your boxes, bags, and lists twice. Leaving a favorite toy or blanket at the old house could be devastating to your pet.

2. Bring blankets or bedding that they used to sleep on at the old home to the new one.

Sometimes to break in the new house smell, you need to bring along a little of the smells from your old home. Taking a blanket that your pet used to cuddle with at the old home and letting them do the same at the new house may help them adjust quicker. Just like when you first brought your pet home, you are bringing your pet into a new home once again. Having familiar scents can make the move a little easier.

3. If you move into a new place that has a yard, put your pet on a leash and walk them around it.

Showing your pet the boundaries of a new yard is a must. To do this make sure that your pup or kitty is on a leash and slowly let them explore their new yard. If they try to cross into a neighbor’s yard, redirect them and then give positive reassurance through treats. Do this a couple times to get your pet used to the boundaries of the yard. Keep in mind that fences are essential to your pet’s safety. This could keep them out of the neighbor’s yard, from running off too far, or getting lost.

4. Designate a food and litter box room right away.

At your old home, you probably had a designated room for food, water, and the litter box. You may have even had a special place where your pet’s bed was kept or their toys. Designate places in the new home for all of your pet’s things and then make sure to let your pet know where they will be eating, playing, and … using the litter box!

5. Keep to a similar walking schedule and routine to avoid accidents.

Keeping your pet to a similar or the same walking schedule can cut down on accidents around the home. Taking your dog on walks to go potty at the same time as they used to at the old home keeps them and you in routine. Taking them for walks at a different time after being of a consistent schedule for a long time may add to the anxiety of moving to a new home.

6. Keep your pet in a kennel or designated room while moving in all of your stuff.

Doors opening and closing, heavy objects being carried carefully from room to room, and the chaos and noises can all breed disaster if you add an excited pet into the mix. It may be a good idea to keep your pet in a designated room or in a pet carrier while the trucks are unloaded and all of your and your pet’s possessions are carried into the home.

7. Watch out for signs of anxiety.

If your pet seems to be exhibiting signs of anxiety, like having accidents on the floor, scratching or clawing at furniture or the carpets, or barking or meowing incessantly do not yell at them. These are common for pets that have had their routine changed. If these symptoms persist after a couple days of being settled into the home, talk to your vet about what you can do to help your pet calm down.

8. Watch out for openings, windows, and doors so that indoor pets don’t escape and get lost.

A new place can be loaded with hiding places, openings, vents, doors, and spaces that your pet can hide or get lost in. Make sure that you inspect your home for all of these things and note where your pet could get outside or hide in your home. If you know where the best hiding places are you can either, make sure your pet cannot get into them or know where to look when your furry friend wants to play hide and go seek.

9. Be patient.

A new home is a huge adjustment for a pet. Remember back to the time when you first adopted and brought your pet home. It took them a little while to adjust to their new home and it will be the same way now. The only added comfort your pet has is his or her old pal. You can help make your pet’s move a successful one.