You’re ready to embark on this new adventure of moving into a new home with one of your favorite beings, your furry friend. You get to experience new places and new opportunities and get to meet new dog moms and dads.
But as exciting as moving into a new home is, it’s demanding, especially for dog owners. Dogs, like humans, thrive on routine and familiarity, so a move can be a stressful event for them.
Proper planning and preparation before your move can make this transition much smoother for you and your furry friend. From pet-proofing your space to maintaining a sense of normalcy, take the steps we lay out in this article to help your dog feel comfortable and secure in their new environment.
Ensuring a Safe Environment for Your Dog
Before moving into your new home, the first step you should take is ensuring that the space is safe for your dog. In other words, you need to pet-proof it. Doing so ensures your dog takes to their new environment and, more importantly, it prevents accidents and injuries.
Go through every room in your home and check for potential hazards. For example, look for any toxic plants and get rid of them. If you have exposed electrical cords, cover them and/or move them up higher. If you see small objects that your dog could swallow or choke on, throw them out.
You’ll also want to secure your balcony or stairs if you have them. Make sure the balcony is enclosed with pet-friendly barriers. Make your stairs safe for dogs, especially those with mobility issues, by adding carpet to them, installing a railing, or using a ramp.
Keep any harmful substances out of your dog’s reach. Cleaning supplies, medications, and other potentially toxic materials should be stored in cabinets that your dog cannot access.
Don’t forget about securing your front and back yards. Use fencing that is high enough to prevent your dog from escaping and ensure there are no gaps they can squeeze through.
You may also want to grow trees, bushes, and tall grasses to give your dog shade and help them stay cool. A water feature is also a good idea to keep your dog hydrated and entertained.
Addressing Indoor Air Quality for Both You and Your Dog
Indoor air quality is an aspect of pet care that many owners tend to overlook. It is crucial for both human and pet health.
Cleaning products, tobacco smoke, and cooking fumes are just a few things that can lead to poor air quality. Poor air quality can lead to respiratory issues, allergies, and general discomfort for your dog, especially if they have asthma, cardiac disease, or are obese.
If your dog is panting excessively, their oral tissues are a dark purple color, their neck is extended, or they have a distressed appearance or reluctance to eat or drink, those are likely side effects of poor indoor air quality. Take them to the vet if any of this is happening.
In addition, do the following to improve the indoor air quality in your new home:
- Invest in an air purifier: This helps remove pet dander, dust, and allergens from the air.
- Choose pet-safe plants: Some plants help purify the air, but be cautious, some houseplants can be toxic to dogs, like peace lilies and aloe vera.
- Ensure proper ventilation: Keep air fresh by ventilating with open windows and running exhaust fans regularly.
- Clean regularly: Keeping up with vacuuming and dusting helps lower allergens in the air, benefiting both you and your pet.
Making the Moving Process Stress-Free for Your Dog
Moving day can be chaotic for you, but it can also be incredibly overwhelming for your dog due to all the unfamiliar sights and sounds.
Keep your pet feeling secure and at ease during the move by maintaining some sort of routine. Try to feed, walk, and play with your dog at their usual times to provide a sense of stability.
On moving day, keep your dog in a separate room with their bed, toys, and water to reduce anxiety, as there will be a lot going on in the house and different people coming in and out to help with the move.
You should also use calming techniques. Before the move, bring your dog to your new home for short, enjoyable visits so they can get used to the environment. Packing non-essential items in advance minimizes disturbances to their space.
You could put blankets and toys with familiar scents in your new home. Pheromone sprays, gentle music, or reassuring words will also help keep your dog relaxed.
Finally, make sure your dog gets to your new home safely. Use a secure crate or harness to ensure your dog is safe during the move.
Saying Goodbye to Familiar Spaces
Dogs develop strong emotional connections to their surroundings. So, it’s important to help them say goodbye to their old home to ease their transition into a new one.
Spend some extra time in their favorite spots weeks leading up to your move. Take some pictures and videos to preserve those memories. Take them on one last walk around the neighborhood on the day of your move and let them sniff around their favorite areas.
Let your dog explore their new home step by step for a smoother transition. Give them time to adjust by allowing exploration room by room instead of all at once.
You should also bring as many familiar items with you as possible. Keeping their bed, toys, and blankets nearby will provide reassurance and familiarity in the new space.
Conclusion
Moving with a dog requires extra care and attention, but as long as you properly prepare, you can make the transition as smooth as possible.
Prioritize their safety, maintain their routine, and provide a calm environment to help your furry friend adjust to their new home. Be patient and allow them time to acclimate to their new surroundings. With love and consistency, your dog will soon feel right at home.
Photo credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/dog-inside-dog-house-IPheOySCW7A
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