Moving Your Pet to a New Home

If you are only moving a short distance, you can board your pet until you have finished unpacking and are ready to introduce him to his new home. Even though the new surroundings will be unfamiliar to him, he will recognize the familiar smell of your furniture and other possessions. This can make the move less stressful.

Even if you are moving across the state or across the country you can still board your pet during the packing and unpacking portions of your move. Try to minimize stress to your pet during your drive. Try to make the drive a pleasant experience for your pet. Take breaks along the way to allow your pet to stretch and relieve himself. Keep him well-hydrated, but do not give him too much food or water if riding in the car seems to upset his stomach. You may need to drive more slowly if your pet is an inexperienced traveler, prone to carsickness.

Even if you do not board your pet before moving him into your new home, you will want to make certain that your new home has been pet proofed before you bring your pet inside. Make certain that toilet lids and doors are closed before giving your pet free reign of this house. Move any plants that could be poisonous or harmful out of your pet's reach.

Most importantly, give your pet plenty of time to acclimate to his new surroundings. Try not to change his daily routine during the first few days. Continue to feed and walk him at his accustomed times. Do not change his food during this time. Try to not introduce him to new people until he has had some time to become accustomed to his new home. If he has favorite toys or a blanky, keep these at hand. The most important thing is to keep stress to a minimum.

With a little bit of planning, you can make a move to a new home a less stressful event.

Go To Page: 1 2