Moving home can be a stressful and overwhelming time for everyone, but that also includes any family pets you may have. Pets can be hugely affected by their environment, and a completely new home may be strange to them – not to mention the stressful moving process and travel times if you’re relocating, too.
Here are 6 handy hacks for moving to a new house with a pet.
1. If Renting, Check with Your Landlord
If you’re planning to move to a rental property instead of buying, then many properties don’t allow for pets. Or there might be extra stipulations, such as needing written approval or needing to pay a little extra in rent or deposit. So be sure to check that before you get your heart set on moving into a new place.
2. Organize Your Pet’s Belongings
Moving home is going to see a lot of boxes being packed, but you don’t want to suddenly realize that you’ve packed your pet’s food bowl in a box that you haven’t labeled, precisely when you need it.
Be sure to pack all belongings separately for your pet, marked clearly, and make all items easily accessible, such as their food and lead for a dog, as you will need these items during moving day.
3. Pack Lots of Treats
Not only will this keep your pet interested in the moving journey, but it will also be a great reward system if your pet is behaving well during the move. Treats will also help to distract your pet, and tasty natural treats like CBD chicken balls may also help to alleviate anxiety for them over the big move, too.
4. Keep Something Familiar
Maybe you’re planning on a complete overhaul and want to buy your pet new items for the move, such as a new bed and toys. However, keeping something familiar can be a great help for your pet, as they will associate the smell and the feel with your old house. Even if it’s simply an old blanket which smells like your old home, you can take this with you and put it on your pet’s new bed, so that they have the familiarity there to keep them at ease.
5. Keep the Same Rules
Even if your pet is fully housetrained, a new environment could completely throw them off. Be sure to be strict about the same household rules you had before, as soon as you walk into your new home. If your pet was never allowed upstairs or on the furniture, for example, be sure to tell them no if they try to go exploring upstairs in your new house or sit on the new chair.
6. Set a Designated Place for Them
Try to set up your pet’s area as soon as possible in your new home after arrival, with their bed and toys. That way, they can have a place to retreat to while you’re still unpacking and organizing, and this allows them to feel calmer in the new space.