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There are few activities that are as stressful as moving, especially if you’re relocating to another state and need to find a new job and secure housing in an unfamiliar area. Luckily, a real estate agent can help; but it’s still important to look into state-specific items you might need, like a driver’s license and even your dog’s license. If you have a pet in your household, you can expect that they’ll be just as stressed with this transition -- in some cases, maybe even more so. Dogs, in particular, are very perceptive and will notice the changes. Naturally, you are going to want to make this entire experience as easy on your pet as possible. The following suggestions from Clandestant Ministries can get you both through this challenging process.
Prioritize Comfort for Both Pet and Human
With the goal of making the move as painless as possible for everyone involved, dog included, it definitely pays to take it a step at a time. To start, make the effort to maintain your calm as you pack. If your pet has a favorite spot at home, save it for last. Most importantly, maintain your dog’s routine as much as possible. JetPet Resort points out that all these will serve to minimize their stress, which, in turn, gives you one less thing to worry about.
During the move, you can be sure that your dog is going to be underfoot. With the flurry of activity on moving day, this is the last thing you need. So, if it’s possible, leave them with a trusted sitter for the day. If you can’t afford a sitter, see if a friend or family member near your new home can look after them for a few days. Getting assistance from relatives or loved ones is an excellent way to save money, so you may want to consider this option first.
If all else fails, do your best to tire them out early in the day and keep them surrounded with their favorite things, such as toys, treats, and blankets. At this point, the goal is to keep them comfortable enough to be out of the way.
Even as you settle into your new home, the work is not done. This may be the most challenging part as it can take your dog a while to get used to their new environment. Your goal should be to make your dog comfortable as quickly as possible. Consider staying home with them for a few days, and try to stick to established routines. Get them their own personal couch for your living room so that your pup stays near you, but your new space also stays stylish and clean.
Pay close attention to behavior changes, too. Above all, shower them with lots of love and attention. The key is to re-establish their sense of security and good habits because the sooner you do, the sooner you can put this stressful time behind you.
If you’re stressed out, Dogtime.com notes that your dog will notice and be anxious as well, so prioritize creating a healthy and relaxed home environment. Reduce stress by keeping your home organized throughout the move. If you have a home office in your new home, there are steps you can take for your pup’s safety. Keep electrical wires out of reach, secure heavy objects, and keep the room locked if possible.
Simply Understand and Honor Your Pet’s Needs
Your pet may not be able to effectively communicate what they feel or need at any given time, but you probably recognize their every quirk and whimper. Still, you might not always be in tune with their needs when you’re busy packing and physically moving an entire household. But the fact remains that your dog will need you more than ever in the face of such a big event, so try to pay them as much attention as you can.
Know that some breeds of dogs are actually better suited to traveling (and moving) than others.
On the other hand, the temperaments of some breeds may require just a tad more TLC. If your pet tends toward more anxiety when in the car or during big adjustments, work with your local vet clinic to determine some steps you can take to put your pup at ease. Perhaps it’s with more play time or even medications or supplements, such as CBD.
More veterinarians are exploring the benefits of CBD, and how it can benefit dogs. CBD has been found to provide pain and anxiety relief. If your vet approves of administering CBD to calm your pup, there are a variety of animal formulations on the market that work well and have strict quality standards. CBD oils, for example, can be easily added to their food or water for quick consumption. Treats, on the other hand, can be provided intermittently throughout the day depending on the dosage. Whatever type of delivery method you decide, focus on ingredients, source origin, CBD concentration, flavor, and reviews before you make your purchase.
At the end of the day, while you can’t completely spare your pet from the rigors of moving, you can at least find ways to make it easy for them. If you can pull that off, you’ll find that the rest of your move will go a lot smoother.
Clandestant Ministries seeks to further the well-being of our community members, and bring about positive change. Visit our website to donate or to learn more about us.