Tips to move in a new house along with your furry friends!

It may be both stressful and exhilarating to move into a new house. There are numerous decisions to be made and chores to be accomplished in order to prepare for moving day. Moving boxes and furniture might take days if you don't hire a professional moving company.

Don't forget about your pets if you have them. For them, moving can be just as distressing. While dogs are able to take it better than cats, neither of them is immune to the stress. However, there are things you can do to keep your furry pals safe and calm before, during, and after the relocation.

Before the move

It is good for you and your pets to prepare for the move ahead of time. Starting early can not only help you ease into packing, but it can also help your pets adjust. Here are a few items that may be of assistance.

Put the moving supplies on display. If you're moving by yourself, you'll need a lot of boxes and packing tape. Allow the supplies you intend to use to sit out in a corner of your home for a few days before packing. Allowing your pets to see and smell the materials can help them become less averse to packing when the time comes.

Place your suitcase or pet carrier on the table. Some pets become agitated as soon as they notice your bag or their pet carrier. Suitcases can alert them that you're leaving, and they'll be alone without you. A trip to the veterinarian may be indicated by the presence of a pet carrier. Allowing them to sit outside beforehand allows them to become accustomed to seeing them. Especially when nothing happens right away.

They should stick to their regimens. We're all creatures of habit, let's face it. We can become irritated by a minor change. Don't disturb your pets' daily routines. Continue to take your dog to the dog park if he or she enjoys it. Stop and appreciate the time and fresh air with your dog if you're thinking about what you should be doing.

If you own a cat, you know how easy your pet may become distracted and jump from one item to the next. It's still crucial to play with your cat and pay attention to it when it needs it. Finally, because cats enjoy sleeping, don't pack away anything that provide comfort to them until the day of the move.

Make an appointment with your veterinarian. If your pet is easily stressed, speak with your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medicine. Moving is a fast-paced, noisy activity. It is easier for everyone if pets remain calm.

Train with crates. If you're relocating a long distance, make sure your pets are accustomed to spending time in their crates before you go. Trying to place them in an unfamiliar situation will be unpleasant for both you and them. Prior to going on the trip, do some research on pet-friendly hotels and other places.

During the move

On moving day, whether you're doing it yourself or hiring experts, there's a lot of ruckus. Your best bet is to keep your pets away from it. Consider clearing off a room or an area of your house to serve as a safe haven for them. Food, water, familiar objects, and relaxing music should all be present in the room. This can help them stay calm while also preventing them from being hurt or, worse, fleeing when a door is left open. Don't forget to leave a message on the door or tell your moving crew to keep it shut.

Another alternative is to have a family member or friend look after your dogs on moving day. This completely removes them from the hectic and chaotic surroundings. Prior to the relocation, make sure kids spend time with their temporary caretaker. This allows them to get to know one another and makes the transition simpler.

After the move

When you get to your new place, the chaos begins all over again. Here are some additional helpful hints.

Maintain a safe distance between you and your pets. While you may be eager to let them explore your new house, it's better to confine them to a quiet location for a few days. We kept our cat in the laundry room when we relocated, providing him with everything he needed as well as gentle music and a white noise machine. We let him out to explore a little too soon, unfortunately. He was afraid, and he crawled into our couch. That turned out to be quite a task. To find him, we had to remove all of the felt from the bottom of the couch.He returned to our laundry room for a few more days, as you might expect. We made it a point to pay him frequent visits. He took about five days to get back to being the cat we know and love.

Give them as many treats as you can. Treats can be used to praise pets for good behaviour, to calm them down, or to provide them with their main source of nutrition. Toulouse had stopped eating due to the stress of our move. Fortunately, he kept drinking his water. Even if he could afford to lose a few pounds, it was nevertheless a source of stress. We shortly discovered that his snacks were the only thing he would eat. He's returned to eating his regular dry food now that he's adjusted to our new home.

They should update their records. If your pets have microchips, ensure sure the information on them is up to date. This had never occurred to me until a buddy brought it up. Purchase new tags if they are not microchipped.

When it comes to your pets, be patient. While you'll be eager to show them around, it's vital to step back and let them do their own thing. They'll get back to doing the things they loved before the move once they're settled in their new house. Accidents can also occur when people are agitated and in a new environment. While this is the absolute worst thing you want to happen, clean it up and go on. Trying to maintain your home spotless at all times can be exhausting.

Out with the old and in with the new. While buying new furniture and other belongings for your new home may be the idea, don't get rid of everything. Keep a few items on hand that your pets are used to. While we no longer had our cat's favourite chair in our living room, we did save it for him. It's simply that it's in a different place. Having familiar items nearby can help your pets feel less stressed.

Proof against pets. Take a walk around your new home once you've settled in and look for anything that could be dangerous. We had an exposed dryer vent in our new house, which I covered. I didn't want him to get locked in our laundry room, which was his safe haven. Look for remaining items such as nails, insulation, wiring, and caulk if it's a brand-new construction home. Make sure you clear up any debris you notice right away.

Take some time off from work. Nothing like resting in your new home after a huge move and hanging a few photographs. It's also a terrific time to spend with your dogs while they adjust to their new surroundings.