How to Relieive Pets' Moving Stress
Keep your four-legged family members as relaxed as possible by keeping these tips in mind.
If moving feels like an endless, exhausting, tedious mess to us humans, it’s hard to imagine how awful it must feel for pets who have no way of knowing why it’s all happening! Changes in setting - even if you’re only moving across town - can feel tremendous to pets and trigger extreme stress. Here are a few ways to ease the burden.
Stay on Schedule
Mealtimes, daily walks, and sleeping times should stay roughly the same as you prepare for your move and head to your new home. If you have multiple days of driving, this may seem easier said than done, but get as close as possible to your normal schedule and keep routines the same as your cat or dog has come to expect them. There are enough changes going on and travel is tough as it is, so anything we can keep the same helps!
One of the only aspects it may be best to adapt is the amount of food you give to cats before a car ride. Upset stomachs are to be expected, both because of the motion and the stress, so feeding just a small meal before transport may help prevent a mess and extra stress for all involved.
Make Time for Exercise and Play
In your packing and unloading processes, take a few small breaks to take the dog on a walk, play a bit of fetch, or drag a string around for the cat. This is a crucial step especially leading up to the big move or the long stretch of travel. It’s easier to rest when we’re actually tired, and giving some exercise to our furry friends can not only help them regain a feeling of normalcy but also give them a chance to work out some wiggles that would otherwise become nervous energy!
It’s possible that your pets will be too anxious to play right after the move, so if they don’t take you up on the opportunity for playtime, there’s no need to panic. Give them space and try again later.
Give Time to Adapt
One aspect of the move that pets will have to adapt to is their carrier or crate. Especially with kittens or cats who haven’t experienced being in a carrier much before, setting out the carrier a couple days ahead of time and filling it with treats or favorite toys may make the trip much smoother. If you need to secure your dog as well, this strategy is worth a try. It may be that the carrier can become a space of security and comfort before you set off on the move, which would give your pets a huge leg up on the stress-beating game!
Once you arrive in your new home, open up the space gradually to pets. With cats, especially while unpacking takes place and doors are constantly open, choosing one comfortable, closed space for them to adapt to first helps make them feel less overwhelmed. That way they adapt to new smells and set-up on a smaller scale before taking in every space and detail of your new home.
Consult Your Vet
If your pets are prone to anxiety or if they’ve struggled with a move before, consider supplementing your calming actions with medication, supplements, calming sprays, or other products. Some animals feel more secure when wearing a “thunder shirt” that fits tightly. Others respond well to anxiety medication or specific scents. No one knows your pets better than you and your vet, so turning to them for guidance may be the difference between a stressful car trip and a nice long nap.
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