Our pets can become like part of the family, and when it’s time to move to a new home they can be confused and full of anxiety. These tips can help to make the transition to a new home a bit smoother.
While Your Home is Listed for Sale:
It is best, if at all possible, to remove your pets from your home for showings and open houses. There will be “strangers” in your home and many pets are confused and nervous on how to handle someone in your home while you are not there. Open doors can allow easy exits for nervous pets, and a barking dog during an entire showing is not how you want potential buyers to remember your house.
Before You Pack:
Allow Your Dog Time to Get Familiar with Moving Supplies
Purchase your moving materials at least two weeks (or more) before you start packing and leave them in a room of the house like a spare bedroom or the corner of the living room. Avoid packing a room your dog uses for rest and relaxation too early and make sure packing supplies don’t restrict your dog’s ability to utilize that space.
Prepare for the Trip
Taking a road trip to your new home can be a fun adventure for you, but it can be stressful for your pet. Take them for shorter rides in the weeks prior to your move, and make the trips a pleasurable experience for your pet. If your dog is used to relaxing in their crate, it may be a good idea to bring it in the vehicle you are traveling in.
When You Arrive at Your New Home:
Keep Up Regular Routines and Schedules
It’s important to make your dog as comfortable as possible in their new environment. Most pets do well when they are able to keep a familiar schedule and routine. Do what you can to keep their new eat, sleep, walk and play routines as close as possible to the average day in your old home.
Set up a New Comfortable Space Just for Your Dog
Make sure to have their beds, toys and bowls from your previous home immediately available for your pet when you arrive at your new home. Try to keep as many of your furnishings from your previous home to use in your new home (at least at the beginning) so that your pet feels comfortable and knows that this is “their” home.
Be Patient and Understanding
The moving process can be stressful and full of anxiety for both you and your pet. Try to remember that some pets will feel immediately comfortable in new surroundings, other will take a day or two, and some will take weeks or months. You patience will help to make the process go faster and smoother.
Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate (636)936-8600
Published on 2023-05-22 15:33:00
