Moving is not only stressful for us. It can be overwhelming for our pets as well. It’s important to take the time to accommodate their needs as they adjust. Keep reading to find out how to help your pets feel loved and safe in their new home.
Bring Their Favorite Toy in the New House and Create a Safe Place For Them
Moving can be stressful for everyone including your pets. There are a few ways to make this transition easier.
- Bring several of your pet’s toys to their new home in advance of their arrival. This way the house will smell familiar to them when they arrive.
- Consider purchasing pheromone diffusers such as those made by Ceva for the new house. These produce a pheromone similar to the ones their mother produced when they were nursing. Adaptil is made for dogs while Feliway is made for cats. Both come in plug-in diffusers and sprays. You can place them in the rooms where they will spend the most time. This can help reduce their stress levels.
- Both cats and dogs like routines so keep their daily lives as normal as possible. Feed them on the same schedule, try to put their bowls in a similar place in the new kitchen, and take them for walks at the same time of day.
- Just like us, pets like to have a “safe space” where they can get away from all the chaos of moving. Create a space for them where they have their bed, toys, and possibly a treat-dispensing toy where they can get away from everyone. Ensure the entire family knows that this is their spot and they should be left alone when they retreat to this area.
11 Tips to Help Your Pets Feel at Home in Your New Place
The process of moving to a new house is stressful not only for humans but also for our pets. But not all pets are the same, some of them get used to environmental changes with ease while others take some time to adapt. The following are some great tips to get your pets used to a new place when moving houses:
1. Start using pheromone diffusers at least a month before the move. These diffusers are based on synthetic pheromones that send a “feel good”and “feel safe” message to a pet. They mimic pheromones secreted by their mothers and have a calming effect. The pheromones might take some time to start working. Having the same kind of pheromones in their new environment as they were used to in their old home allows your pet to enjoy a “familiar environment” that will help with a quicker adaptation to their new place.
2. Bring the usual pet bed, beddings, litter boxes, toys, and bowls. Avoid washing the bed, beddings, and toys. Having their resting place and entertainment infused with their smell will help them feel at home and adapt to their new place easier. If you wish to give your pet a new bed in their new home it is better to change it once they have adapted to their new home. If it is not possible to bring the old bed, try to at least bring the bedding. The idea is to provide familiar items and familiar smells to help your pet understand that this is now their new home.
3. If your pet is especially nervous, designate a room at the time, and place all its belongings in that room. This is especially important if there are still lots of noises and unusual activity from moving furniture or boxes around the house. This will also help you to finish settling and have the opportunity to double-check if every space in the new house is pet-proof. Make sure your pet has a comfortable bed as well as familiar food and water.
4. Let your pets process their emotions. If your cat feels it needs to hide, provide comfortable hiding spaces. If the dog wants to be inside its crate do not force him out; keep the door open and allow him to explore when he is ready.
5. Spend time inside the room with your pet. Read a book or stay there quietly just offering company without pushing the pet out. If your pet comes to you, offer some cuddles and give a healthy and delicious treat. Spend quality time together. This is very reassuring for your pet so even if you are very busy setting up the new house make sure to make time for your pet.
6. Monitor your pet’s food and water consumption. It is normal for them to lose their appetite and eat close to nothing on the first day in their new home.. Offer some healthy homemade food such as boiled chicken pieces to entice their appetite. Offer a delicious bowl of bone broth to ensure they remain hydrated, just make sure it is pet-safe without onion, garlic, salts, or spices. Do not give your pet the cooked bones as they are brittle and can be a choking and perforation hazard. Serve only the broth. All these help to reinforce the new place. This way, most pets will understand that this place is not so bad after all and will quickly have positive associations with it. If a cat is still not eating after 24 hours consult your veterinarian.
7. Once the pet has settled in the new room, the activity level around the house has settled, and you are sure that the new house is pet-proof, you can start to keep its door open. Give your pet the chance to explore its new home under supervision. Their door should remain open at all times.
8. Make sure dogs are walked several times a day and cats have access to their litter box at all times, ideally the same litter and litter box they had in your previous home. Keep some enzymatic cleaner handy. Chances are some pets will try to mark the new place. Avoid getting angry or screaming at your pet if they do have an accident.
9. Some pets will take longer than others to adapt and make themselves at home. Try sticking to the same or similar routines as you had in your previous place including same-hour food, walks, and playtime. If you need to establish the routine changes try to do it gradually.
10. Avoid any other drastic change during this critical time. Do not plan a vacation, surgery, or any other major change until your pet has settled down.
11. Keep the windows and doors locked. Your pet needs to take time to be familiar with their new home before getting out to a new neighborhood. A pet that gets lost in a new neighborhood has a very low chance of finding its way back to a place they still don’t recognize. Additionally, some may wander very far trying to look for their previous home increasing their risks and decreasing their chances of finding them.
Pay Attention to Them and Keep Things Exciting and Fun
One of the main points I stress to people that are either getting a new pet or are moving to a new location is that most pets will have some level of anxiety, and it’s crucial to ease that anxiety as much as possible. The two easiest things you can do to help adjust your pet to a new location are to first give them as much loving attention as you can, and keep things fun and exciting in the new location.
Praise, hug, and play as much as you can in all the areas of the home or location. Also keep your daily routines, like taking walks or playtime. Just having you near them and offering positive support will ease their anxiety during the transition.
Three Most Effective Ways to Get Your Pet Used to Your New Home
- Leave them in their crate/carrier for as long as they’d like. Unlock/open the carrier door, but let them come out when they feel comfortable doing so.
- Confine them in a single room and make that room as comfortable as possible. This is best accomplished by making the space as similar to their previous home as possible with their bed, toys, food bowl, etc.
- Give them lots of treats to keep them happy and to help them overcome their anxiety.
Familiarize Them With Their New Environment
Moving houses can be a stressful time for pets. It is important to make sure your pet is comfortable in its new home before you start unpacking. The best way to get your pet used to your new house is by taking them on a walk around the area. This will give them a chance to explore their surroundings and familiarize themselves with their new home. Pets need time to adjust and it can take weeks or even months before they feel comfortable in their new environment.
The key is to be patient and consistent. Make sure you have a new, safe place for your pet to go and that it has enough water, food, and attention. For the first few days or weeks, keep your pet in a familiar area such as their old home or the garden. Then gradually move them around the house until they are comfortable in all areas of your home.
Use a Calming Collar and Keep the Same Routine
Many dogs will be anxious at the prospect of leaving their familiar home behind and moving into new and strange territory. They may become confused at the new smells and can take some time to fully settle in.
We can help them by bringing familiar items from home including their unwashed bed, toys, dishes, etc. While it may be tempting to buy new items and throw away old things when moving, your dog will appreciate some home comforts during those first few months.
It can be useful to start your pooch on some natural calming supplements a few days before the big move. This is especially true if they will be traveling or if they have an anxious personality. In a similar vein, we can purchase a calming collar (e.g. Adaptil) or use an Adaptil calming plug-in within the room they will spend the most time.
After moving in, dedicate lots of time to your dog. The more we keep them engaged and spend time in their company, the sooner they will feel at home. Mini training sessions inside and playing fetch in the garden are both great ways to make your dog feel right at home. When you are not home, keep your dog occupied with things like food puzzles and Kongs; this prevents boredom and provides important mental stimulation to minimize anxiety.
Try to keep their routine the same. This will mean things like walking, feeding, and sleeping times. In the first few weeks, try to keep new guests and laborers within the home to a minimum. Try to give your dog a chance to settle before they have to cope with this.
Dianne Decker
Dianne Decker is a certified positive dog trainer and contributor to Pet Expertise.
Give Them Their Space and Be Patient and Positive
If moving is nerve-wracking and stressful for us, think of how it must be for our pets who can’t fully express their feelings in the same way we do. When anxious, your pet needs to be taught that their new home is a safe place. Here are some ways you can do that without adding too much stress or complexity to your move:
1. Stick to as Much of Your Pet’s Routine as You Can
In general, try feeding your pet at the same time each day, and continuing to walk, exercise, or play with them. This can be reassuring when a lot of things are changing in their environment, and playing with your pet can be a good stress reliever for you, too.
2. Manage Your Own Stress
As much as possible, manage your own stress and take time to rest as you move houses. Many animals are highly intuitive, and their emotions can be affected by their owner’s feelings and facial expressions.
3. Give Them “Their Space” in Your New Place
As soon as you can, put their food and water bowl, litter box, carrier, or anything that’s “theirs” in a dedicated space in your new home. Show it to them periodically, and give them positive reinforcement (like treats) when they use their space each day.
4. Be Patient and Positive
The most important things you can do during a time when your pet is going through a lot of change are to show patience and be positive. Do your best not to focus on correction (and avoid punishing) if there are mishaps or accidents while your pet is adjusting. Give them plenty of affection and attention, and bring food, treats, and activities they enjoy into their new environment as soon as you’re able. Your happy voice and smiling face will go a long way toward helping them feel at home in your new home.
5. Give it Time
It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for a pet to feel comfortable in a new home. Let your veterinarian know you’re planning on moving, and take any advice they give you about how to ease the process for your pet. Keep them informed if your pet’s behavior or eating habits still haven’t normalized after that initial period of adjustment.
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