Moving tips for pet owners

Moving into a new home can be extremely stressful for your pet. Here are four ways you can help your furry friend adjust to his or her new home as quickly as possible.

Although it may be tempting to allow a cat or dog to freely explore the new home, this may actually create more stress for your pet. The unfamiliar environment, combined with the mess of moving boxes, can easily overwhelm and scare some animals. The best way to avoid this problem is by creating a safe room for your dog or cat until the rest of the house is straightened out. This room should be free of chaos so your pet can relax and feel safe in the confined space.

Remain as consistent as possible with your pet's regular routine after the move. For example, if your dog is accustomed to going for a walk first thing in the morning, continue doing this from day one in the new home. The same rule applies to feeding time, bedtime and playtime. The consistency of your pet's routine will help alleviate the anxiety of adapting to a new environment.

Set up your pet's familiar toys, bedding, feeding dishes and litter box (for a cat) in the safe room. If your dog spent time in a crate at the old house, set that up in the safe room, too. Although you may want to swap out your dog's smelly, old bed for a new one, forgo that idea for the time being. Your pet will feel safer and more secure while adapting to the new house if there are favourite toys and other belongings nearby.

A little attention goes a long way, especially when your pet is adjusting to new surroundings. Spend time in the safe room with your pet as much as possible. Once you get other rooms set up, integrate your pet into those rooms so he or she can spend more time with people.

While many cats are solitary creatures who don't mind spending plenty of time alone, dogs are more social. If you lock your pup away in the safe room all alone, your pet will end up lonely when hearing the rest of you talk and socialize on the other side of the door. This loneliness may drive him or her to do all sorts of naughty and destructive things such as chewing, barking and scratching.

Moving into a new home with your pet doesn't have to be a stressful experience. By following these tips, you and your pet will have a much smoother transition.