Moving with Pets
Moving to a new home is one of the most stressful experiences any of us may have, and it is no different for our pets. Here are a few tips that may make moving easier on both you and them.
While the preparations are being made to move, our pet’s whole world is turning upside down. Almost everything they are familiar with is being packed away and is soon reduced to a stack of cartons and boxes. They understand none of it so It is understandable that they become anxious and unpredictable. Before the packing begins, get them a pet carrier(s), and give them time to become accustomed to it. As packing progresses it will soon become the only thing left that they are familiar with and will provide both safety and security during the move.
As moving day nears we need to give them more attention and assurances that things are not really as bad as they seem. Stressed, anxious, scared, and disoriented, many pets will run away if given an opportunity. It is up to us as pet owner to do all that we can to protect them from themselves. We have invested a lot of effort and expense to pack and protect our belongings, and it just makes sense that we do the same for our pets. Investing in a pet carrier early on to use before, during, and after the move will make the move much safer for them.
Dogs accept moves more easily than do cats, and those cats accustomed to roaming outside adapt much easier than those that don’t venture out. Pets should be fitted with identification collars with the owner's name and new address. Although identification collars are a good idea all of the time, they are especially important until the move is complete and the pets fully settled into their new home.
Starting with the packing of the first box we must become more aware of where our pets are. Open doors and windows coupled with the activity of packing will make it easier for pets to slip out unnoticed. As the packing progresses so to will be the need to be more watchful. If containment is a difficult, the use of pet carriers becomes an easy way to keep pets secured.
Once arriving at the new home, keep you pets in their carriers until at least one room has been completely unpacked. Once the packing materials and other debris has been removed, release the pets into the room(s) where they will find items and furniture that they are familiar with. Cats should have access to a litter box at all times.
If there is an enclosed exercise area in the yard, dogs can be let out to begin getting familiar with it. Cats will require much more time, and may have to be restricted to the house and their carriers for quite some time. Extra attention, extra food and snacks will all help them to become relaxed in their new surroundings. If there are contractors working, a many of new faces, and a lot of noise you can expect it to slow the process of getting use to their new house. If there are high activity areas in the house it is beneficial to keep the animals in some other part of the house.
By the time the unpacking has been completed it is pretty safe to let your dogs have freedom in the house and a secure yard area. In the absence of a secure outside exercise area, all pets should be leashed when taken outside.
The new home has to be established as a source of attention, food, and shelter. It may help to feed several small meals a day and spend extra time giving pets attention. Keep cats indoors at the new house for about a month as it takes considerable time to establish bond between them and their new home. When the cat is first let outdoors, it should be fasted for 12 hours before going out so that it is really hungry. A hungry cat is much more likely to come when called, knowing that it's home is a source of food and attention. For the first few weeks, cats should only be let out once a day and be called in after no longer than 30 minutes and fed immediately. The frequency and duration of released periods can be extended as the animals become accustomed to their new home.
Pets will often try to return to their old home. You should warn your old neighbors, and the home's new occupants that this may occur. Request that they not encourage this in any way. Ask that they do not feed them, do not talk to them, and otherwise discourage them by such things as spraying them with water.
Moving is very traumatic for our pets, and there are thousands of pets lost every year due to the side effects of moving. Getting your pets accustomed and comfortable in your new home requires some thought an effort, but is well worth it.
While the preparations are being made to move, our pet’s whole world is turning upside down. Almost everything they are familiar with is being packed away and is soon reduced to a stack of cartons and boxes. They understand none of it so It is understandable that they become anxious and unpredictable. Before the packing begins, get them a pet carrier(s), and give them time to become accustomed to it. As packing progresses it will soon become the only thing left that they are familiar with and will provide both safety and security during the move.
As moving day nears we need to give them more attention and assurances that things are not really as bad as they seem. Stressed, anxious, scared, and disoriented, many pets will run away if given an opportunity. It is up to us as pet owner to do all that we can to protect them from themselves. We have invested a lot of effort and expense to pack and protect our belongings, and it just makes sense that we do the same for our pets. Investing in a pet carrier early on to use before, during, and after the move will make the move much safer for them.
Dogs accept moves more easily than do cats, and those cats accustomed to roaming outside adapt much easier than those that don’t venture out. Pets should be fitted with identification collars with the owner's name and new address. Although identification collars are a good idea all of the time, they are especially important until the move is complete and the pets fully settled into their new home.
Starting with the packing of the first box we must become more aware of where our pets are. Open doors and windows coupled with the activity of packing will make it easier for pets to slip out unnoticed. As the packing progresses so to will be the need to be more watchful. If containment is a difficult, the use of pet carriers becomes an easy way to keep pets secured.
Once arriving at the new home, keep you pets in their carriers until at least one room has been completely unpacked. Once the packing materials and other debris has been removed, release the pets into the room(s) where they will find items and furniture that they are familiar with. Cats should have access to a litter box at all times.
If there is an enclosed exercise area in the yard, dogs can be let out to begin getting familiar with it. Cats will require much more time, and may have to be restricted to the house and their carriers for quite some time. Extra attention, extra food and snacks will all help them to become relaxed in their new surroundings. If there are contractors working, a many of new faces, and a lot of noise you can expect it to slow the process of getting use to their new house. If there are high activity areas in the house it is beneficial to keep the animals in some other part of the house.
By the time the unpacking has been completed it is pretty safe to let your dogs have freedom in the house and a secure yard area. In the absence of a secure outside exercise area, all pets should be leashed when taken outside.
The new home has to be established as a source of attention, food, and shelter. It may help to feed several small meals a day and spend extra time giving pets attention. Keep cats indoors at the new house for about a month as it takes considerable time to establish bond between them and their new home. When the cat is first let outdoors, it should be fasted for 12 hours before going out so that it is really hungry. A hungry cat is much more likely to come when called, knowing that it's home is a source of food and attention. For the first few weeks, cats should only be let out once a day and be called in after no longer than 30 minutes and fed immediately. The frequency and duration of released periods can be extended as the animals become accustomed to their new home.
Pets will often try to return to their old home. You should warn your old neighbors, and the home's new occupants that this may occur. Request that they not encourage this in any way. Ask that they do not feed them, do not talk to them, and otherwise discourage them by such things as spraying them with water.
Moving is very traumatic for our pets, and there are thousands of pets lost every year due to the side effects of moving. Getting your pets accustomed and comfortable in your new home requires some thought an effort, but is well worth it.