Moving with Pets

Your animals know something is happening. They can sense that things are changing and when they see you start to box up your books, clothes, and other possessions, they know a big change is coming. Sometimes they begin to stray, feeling that their home is being abandoned. Moving is stressful for pets, so try to make things easier on them. In this post I'll talk about a few ways to ease a move for your furry friends.

• Consider Boarding

• Cat Carriers Save the Day

• Acclimate them to their New Homes

• Cats Need Extra Attention

Consider Boarding Your PetsIf you're moving across town, you may consider boarding your pets during the time of the move. This way, you know that they are safe and well-cared for. Your dog will have some social time with the other boarders and then when you pick up your pet, you can transplant them into their new home with no problems. This interim move may be helpful for a cat, too, who relies on a stable environment. This way, when you move kitty to the new home, it may be easier to establish a new home turf.Cat Carriers Save the DayFor cats, it's advised to use a cat carrier for the day of the move. The more you can do to get your kitty used to the idea of the carrier, the easier this process will be. Some  cats put up a terrible fuss when they know they need to ride in a carrier. Do what you can to avoid this. You may even want to consult with your vet to see about a sedative for moving day.Acclimate them to their New HomesAfter the move, you will want to acclimate your pets to their new home. For dogs, it may be helpful to have a crate for them. This mini-home will provide a sense of ease and comfort if they are stressed by the new surroundings. You might consider not letting them off the leash for a while, too, since the new neighborhood might be disorienting for them.Cats Need Extra AttentionWhen you bring your cat to its new home, it will certainly be disoriented. Cats thrive on constancy, so you need to establish the ?new normal? as quickly as possible. If your your cats are indoor/outdoor pets, keep them locked in a room for a few days, with plenty of food and water and attention, of course.  Let them establish the new ?home base? before allowing them to roam. Some people suggest putting a drop of vanilla oil on there noses so that their sense of smell is temporarily knocked out. When their sense of smell returns, they will be less likely to sense the new home as foreign.