Moving can be an exciting time for you and your family, but what about your pets? There are many things to consider when moving with your furry friends. The most important is ensuring your pets are safe and happy during and after them move. To ensure a smooth transition for your pets, it’s important to know what you should do immediately after moving into a new home.
Here are the steps you should take to help your pet adjust.
Pet-Proof Your Home
According to suddath.com, the first thing you’ll want to do when moving your pets is to pet-proof your new home. This means making sure that all of the areas they will be spending time in are safe. Some things you’ll want to check for include:
- Ensuring any cords or wires are out of reach – these can be dangerous if chewed on
- Ensuring any poisonous plants are out of reach – some common houseplants that are poisonous to pets include lilies, ivy, and philodendron
- Putting away any small objects that pets could swallow – these can be choking hazards
- Securing any trash cans so your pet can’t get into them
Each of these things goes hand-in-hand with pet safety in general. You’ll want to make sure any other areas where they will be spending time have no potential hazards either. Pets can be injured in many ways, so you’ll want to make sure that they are safe in their new home.
Unpack All Essential Pet Items First
You’ll likely be very busy unpacking and settling into your home, but it’s still important to spend time taking care of your pet’s needs. Ensure you unpack all of their essential items first, such as food and water dishes (add fresh, clean water right away), a litter box along with scoopers for cats, special toys or treats they like best, and a comfortable pet bed or cat tree.
A new environment can be stressful for pets, and they may need a little time to adjust. If your pet is used to a certain routine, try to stick as closely to it as possible in the new home. Pets like stability and predictability, so keeping their regular feeding and walking schedule (if possible) will help them feel more comfortable during this time of change.
Gradually Introduce Your Pets to the New Home
With all the work awaiting you after moving, it’s easy to forget about your pets. But taking the time to introduce them to their new surroundings gradually is crucial for a smooth transition. Start by putting your pet’s bed, toys, and food bowls in a similar spot they were in before the move.
This will help them feel comfortable and safe in their new home. Then, let them explore the rest of their new surroundings at their own pace. If they get scared or seem overwhelmed, provide some reassurance and patience. It may take a little while for them to adjust, but eventually, they will come to love their new home just as much as you do.
Set Aside Some Play Time With Your Pets
After moving to a new location, there’s always so much to do that you may find yourself too busy to spend time with your pets. After all the essential unpacking is done, set aside some playtime with them and give them lots of affection. They need reassurance that everything will be OK with this new change.
If your pet is used to a routine and you’ve had to move, it might be hard for them to get back into the swing of things. Try to recreate some of their old routines as closely as possible until they start getting comfortable in the new home. This may take some time, so don’t be discouraged if your pet seems to be struggling a bit at first.
Explore the Neighborhood With Your Pet
Of course, your pet will have a great time exploring the new neighborhood. However, take some caution when letting your dog or cat outside for the first time. For dogs, be sure to keep them on a short leash until they get acquainted with the area. For cats, it might be best to wait until they’ve explored their new home thoroughly before letting them outside – you don’t want them getting lost.
Once your pet has had a chance to explore the neighborhood, take some time to familiarize yourself with the pet-friendly areas and businesses in your area. Don’t forget to relax and unwind, too, with your happy, healthy, and well-adjusted pet.
