Moving to a new home is stressful for everyone. The stress of moving is not exclusive to humans. This chaos also affects our furbabies. Changes in environments are scary for pets. Read on to learn how to safely transition and adjust your furry friends to their new home.  

Choosing Your New Home, Apartment or Neighborhood 

When looking for your new home, it’s a good idea to walk around the neighborhood to see if the area is safe for your pets.  

-Look for aggressive neighborhood dogs that roam the streets or unattended.  

-When it comes to square footage, cats and dogs have different needs. Cats prefer vertical space. When it comes to dogs, senior dogs and puppies will need potty breaks more often. Consider the number of stairs or yard space when looking at homes and apartments.  

Packing Up Your Home 

Cats are notoriously not fans of change. You can help your cats (or anxious dogs) adjust to the moving process by bringing in boxes and keeping your pet in a room you plan to pack last. Bringing in moving boxes early helps pets get comfortable around them and not be as fearful or suspicious.  

-On moving day, keep your pets in a quiet room and shut the door. This will help keep them secure and prevent them from running if they are scared.  

Moving Far? How to Plan Your Road Trip 

Long car rides are challenging for everyone, especially pets and children. In the months before a move:  

-Get your pets used to being in a crate. This can be done by feeding them in their crate. Get them used to eating in there with the crate door open. Once they are comfortable, they should be able to eat in there with the crate door shut.  

-Try to carry them around the house in their crate or take them on short drives.  

-Create a positive association with the crate, reward them with treats and playtime for being in the crate.  

Settling In 

Setting your dog or cat free when you get to your new home may be tempting. This new and unfamiliar place can be overwhelming and startle them. Below are tips to help them get adjusted to their new space:  

-Start by allowing them to get comfortable in one room of the house. Make this their “home base.” This space should have their bed, food and water bowls, toys, and a litter box if you have a cat.  

-When they seem comfortable in that space, gradually start introducing them to more rooms in the house.  

-If you have a cat, you can slowly start moving their litter box from “home base” to a more permanent location by moving it slowly. Immediately moving their box can result in accidents on the floor, beds, or clothing.  

With lots of patience, reassurance, and love, your pet will become the boss of their new home in no time.  

Eliminate the stress of finding a new home, and let an LRG agent do the work for you. We will help you find the perfect place for your furry friends. If you are looking for a new place to call your home, our agents are skilled in various real estate properties. We have agents specializing in apartments, suburban homes, rental properties, city living, and ranch and farm homes. LRG agents will help and guide you through all your home needs. Contact us at 210-879-8220 or message us on our website. You can also follow us or message us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, check out our TikTok!