Perhaps you’re planning to move across state lines for a new job, family obligations, or simply the chance to broaden your horizons. In the midst of house hunting and packing, you might be wondering how you can give your pet the attention they need throughout the process. These tips from Saving Sadie will help you guard your pet against stress, purchase reputable pet-care products, and more.
Keep Your Anxiety in Check
If your furry friend has been by your side for several years, you know that they can sense your emotions. When you’re happy, they get excited, and when you’re upset, they instinctively want to comfort you.
Moving can be very stressful, but do your best to stay calm and shield your pet from your anxiety. If you’re stressed, they’ll start to feel stressed, too! You may want to take some extra time off from work or simply block off a few hours for self-care so that you can remain relatively calm throughout your move.
Find the Right Property
As you attend open houses and schedule property tours, think about how comfortable your pet would be in the home you’re viewing. Urban Acres recommends looking for features like a fenced-in backyard, durable flooring, proximity to dog parks, and even a screened-in porch. It’s also a good idea to buy a home in a neighborhood with sidewalks. Let your real estate agent know that you’re interested in touring homes with these features.
Stress-Free Travel
Whether you’ll be driving, flying, or taking a train to your new city, you’ll have to prepare for the additional responsibilities that come with traveling with your pet. To keep your pet comfortable and safe while you travel, PetsBest recommends packing all of your supplies in advance in an easily accessible bag, keeping a first aid kit on hand for emergencies, and booking a night at a pet-friendly hotel if necessary.
Important Updates
When you move, you may need to update your pet insurance policy, pet license, and your pet’s tags with your new address. If your pet is microchipped, check in with your vet about updating their chip, too! This will give you peace of mind in case they wander off in your new neighborhood.
Outfit Your New Home
When you move into your new home, you’ll want to focus on pet-proofing each room. To find high-quality products, you’ll probably start by checking customer ratings – but looking up product reviews from vets is the best way to make informed choices. When you invest in vet-approved products, you can rest assured that your pet will be healthy and safe at home, so search for websites with vet reviews of crucial pet care items.
Explore Together
You’ve moved into your new house, you’ve carefully pet-proofed each room, and now, you can’t wait to learn the lay of your land in your new city! Choose a few pet-friendly weekend activities that will allow you to explore your neighborhood while your pet accompanies you. For instance, you may want to have lunch at a cafe that allows pets on the patio, spend an hour playing at the dog park, or even take a stroll on a pet-friendly beach if you live near the coast.
If you’re moving with your pet, you’re not just thinking about yourself – you have to put your pet first. It can be hard to juggle all of these considerations! But with these tips, you’ll be able to find the right home, execute a low-stress move, get the products your pet needs, and get to know your new community with your animal companion.
Saving Sadie is here to provide compassion for special needs pets and the owners who love them. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!