Moving to a smaller house with your pets can be a challenging task. But with some planning and preparation, you can make a smooth transition for you and your furry friend. Here are a few tips brought to you by Dog Food Reviews.
Consider renting until you find the perfect neighborhood
Even if buying is your ultimate goal, consider renting if you’re moving to a new city or state and want to be 100% positive your new neighborhood is as pet-friendly as your old one. Look online for listings of pet-accepting properties that fit within your budget. Don’t forget to ensure you have plenty of beds and bathrooms for your human family.
Create a safe space in your current home.
Moving means many people will be in and out of your home. Ensure your dog or cat has a safe space to rest and relax during the most active parts of the move. Ideally, you can give your animal a room of its own (if your pet is okay with the crate, that works, too) with a sign on the door that no one is to enter. You also want to look for a room in your new home where your pets can go to decompress.
Digitize your documents
Digitizing your documents is a great way to avoid the stress of misplacing documents. If you’d like to keep your paperwork more organized, give this a try and save your digital files on your devices so that you can organize and access them more easily. That way, you can focus your energies where they belong.
Manage your stress and emotions.
Moving is a stressful experience, especially when you have a pet to focus on. But remember that your animal can and will feed off your anxiety levels. Remember, animals can sense just about every emotion. If you’re stressed at work during the move, consider working from home a few days each week. If you can’t do that, hire a pet sitter to visit your new home during the first few months.
Stick to your routine as much as possible.
While it’s true that animals, including dogs and cats, are fairly adaptable, they thrive on routine. According to the Conscious Cat, significant changes to a feline’s routine can make them sick. With dogs, a routine gives them something to look forward to. They can quickly get stressed out and destructive if that routine is broken.
Seek professional behavioral therapy.
No matter how much stress you try to keep off of your animal and how closely you stick to their routine, they, like humans, may have trouble adjusting. If your animal’s behavior suddenly changes during and after the move, consider consulting with an animal behavioral therapist. The American Kennel Club offers many tips on how to choose your perfect pet therapy partner. Remember, your dog or cat is in unfamiliar surroundings and has much less roaming space.
Work with an experienced realtor.
Having the right realtor on your side can help you choose a neighborhood that allows you and your pet to get outdoors more often. When you move into a smaller home, this is crucial for keeping your animal engaged and active. The Paw Shake blog explains that even adult dogs should have outside time at least three or four times daily. If you previously lived in a bigger home with a larger lot, you may have allowed animals to come and go. However, you might not have this option with a smaller house, as they often come with smaller yards.
Ultimately, deciding to move into a smaller home means you must plan. While you still have to have enough room for your entire family, humans and pets alike, there are a few challenges. So look for ways to scout your new area, which might include renting for a few months, and don’t forget to watch your own stress levels. Remember, your pet may get stressed out, too, and you also need to stick to their routine and seek behavioral therapy if the move winds up being too much for them to handle.
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