Your pets are part of the family and you want themto be happy at all times! However, you have a big move coming upand you know this will cause them stress and discomfort. Whetheryou are moving to a new house or relocating to a new city, petsfeel all the anxiety that comes with this huge change. If only wecould tell them what was going on! Here are a few tips that willhelp reduce stress and anxiety for your pets during your next bigmove.
Tip 1: Get them used to the crate and thecar.
Whether you are travelling via car, plane, or train,you may be considering using a crate. If your pets are not used toa crate, you will want to start getting them comfortable with itbefore the move. Start by leaving the crate open for them toexplore. You may also try placing their food in the crate so thatthey associate the crate with food, which is a positive experience.Also, try placing blankets or a bed in the crate to make it lesscold and uncomfortable. During the move, placing a towel in thecrate is a good idea for easy clean up in case they get sick. Ifyou are not planning on using a crate, you may want to considerhaving one and leaving it open. That way if they get scared duringthe journey they have somewhere to hide and feel safe.
If you are travelling by car, make sure your pets areused to car rides. If they only get in the car when they go to thevet they will most likely have negative feelings right from thestart. Take them on a couple short drives to give them a positivecar experience. This will also help you determine if car-sicknesswill be an issue. It's always a good idea to bring clean-upmaterials just in case.
Familiarity means comfort and security. Get your petfamiliar with their surroundings during the move to help lessenanxiety.
Tip 2: Do not move their food or resting placeuntil it's time to go.
While it's tempting to pack everything up at thesame time, moving your pets sleeping area or food bowls willimmediately cause them distress. Not only are their surroundingschanging, but now their stuff is gone! If possible, keep everythingwhere it usually is until it's time to leave. This includesfood bowls, beds, and where they usually spend most of their time.Your pet's belongings should be one of the last things youpack. There are already so many changes going on that you need tohelp your pets feel a sense of security.
Tip 3: Make a handy travel kit.
Like a parent with a diaper bag, you will need to makea handy travel kit to make sure your pets have everything they needfor the journey- food, water, bowls, a bed, a favorite toy,medications, leashes, harnesses, treats, etc. Depending on thelength of your journey, you may want to take scoops of food in azip-lock bag rather than lugging around the entire food-bag. Makesure your kit includes items that are comforting to the animal,such as a favorite toy or treat. This can be a good distractionlater if they get uncomfortable. The travel kit should all beorganized in one bag and be easily accessed throughout the journey.This will make your life easier and your pets won't have towait around for you to go searching through all of your belongings.If you have a cat or animal that uses a litter box, you may want toconsider purchasing a disposable litter box and putting it in acrate. This way you can throw it out at the end of your journey,rather than worrying about cleaning it. If you have a dog, takebathroom stops often even if they can typically hold it for longperiods of time. The stress may upset their stomach and they mayeven get car-sick. Your travel kit will depend on your pets'needs- you know them best!
Tip 4: Be comforting andunderstanding.
As annoying as it is to hear barking, whining,meowing- whatever the sound- as a pet owner you need to keep inmind that your pets are scared. They don't know what'shappening, so the best thing you can do is be calm and reassurethem with affection. If you act stressed and panicked your petswill feel this and reflect the same behavior. In certain cases,many owners choose to medicate their pet if they know this willhelp them stay relaxed. Whatever your method, make sure you showthem lots of love and patience during the move!
Moving can be extremely stressful on you and yourfamily, so it is important to make sure you do not let this stressnegatively affect your pets. Your pets may have a difficult timeduring the move, so make sure you are patient and empathize withtheir fears. Following these four tips will help them feel lessanxiety during the move and allow your trip to run as smoothly andefficiently as possible!
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Your pets are part of the family and you want them to be happy at all times! However, you have a big move coming up and you know this will cause them stress and discomfort. Whether you are moving to a new house or relocating to a new city, pets feel all the anxiety that comes with this huge change. If only we could tell them what was going on! Here are a few tips that will help reduce stress and anxiety for your pets during your next big move.
Your pets are part of the family and you want them to be happy at all times! However, you have a big move coming up and you know this will cause them stress and discomfort. Whether you are moving to a new house or relocating to a new city, pets feel all the anxiety that comes with this huge change. If only we could tell them what was [...]
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