New Smells Ahead

This month, our family is in the middle of a move. 

My pup is not impressed. 

No one really likes moving, do they? Because any human that’s ever moved homes knows that moving can be one of the most stressful times of our life. 

Packing all our special belongings up from a home that we’re familiar with and then transferring them to a completely, not so familiar, new home. 

I can only imagine what my pup is going through. 

“The process of packing, the change in routine, and all the unfamiliar sights, smells, and sounds in a new home can be overwhelming.” -Rover.com 

We’re currently at that “first moving stage” …in the middle of packing up our whole house. My pup’s everything. She only sees us putting familiar objects into boxes, bins and garbage bags.. She sees her humans, somewhat frantically, running around cleaning, sorting, reorganizing… and putting her familiar stuff…somewhere, away. 

I’m consciously trying to make this packing up stage comfortable for my pup. How can I do that? My first instinct says, keep things as “normal” as possible for them. 

Same walking schedule, same feeding times, and the same, familiar space to snuggle up to at night. Oh, and extra snuggles, of course.

“During a move, it’s easy to let routines slide, but maintaining a sense of normalcy can help your pet feel secure. Stick to their regular feeding, walking, and play schedules as much as possible.

For cats, make sure their litter box remains in a quiet, accessible location until moving day. Dogs benefit from regular exercise, so take them for walks to burn off energy and reduce stress.”-readytorollmovin.com

All packed up and ready to go…now what? 

Have a moving day plan for where your pets will be during every step of the move. 

A safe room in the old home with their people nearby. Daycare or a boarding place. At a friend or family member's house. 

Bring them to their new home last. After the movers have come and gone. Take a moment to acclimate them to their new spaces. Show them where they will eat and sleep. And poop- take them for walks around the new neighborhood or set up their litterbox. Give them a chance to take in all the new sights, smells and sounds of their new home. 

ASPCA suggests pet proofing your new home before you let them loose to explore it. 

“Tuck away electrical cords, plug up nooks where your pet could get stuck, make sure that all windows have secure screens, remove any poisonous houseplants and confirm that no pest-control poison traps have been left anywhere in the house.”

It’s time to sit back, chill with your pet and comfort them (and yourself) in your new home. Be proud that you just got through one of the most stressful times of your life. And now, you can both be excited for the new smells ahead!