The furry creatures that enhance your life and provide you with companionship and friendship no matter the hour of day or night may find moving into a new home to be a traumatic experience. With some advance planning, a lot of patience, and some well-deserved affection your pet can adjust more readily to his new surroundings. You should begin to prepare your pet for the move actually a few weeks before the actual day arrives; you’ll try to maintain his regular routine as much as possible and begin to get him used to a crate or pet carrier in which he’ll make the move to his new residence. With some TLC you pet can settle in quickly and nicely and resume his regular activities almost as soon as he arrives.
On Moving Day
The day of your move will be chaotic no matter how much advance planning that you’ve done. Pets can sense your stress and he may become naughty or uncontrollable with strangers in his home and boxes moving down the sidewalk. It’s best to put him in a closed room like the bathroom where he is safe, it’s quiet, and he can enjoy his food and water without interruption. Let all of the moving professionals where your pet is so that they won’t barge in on him and startle or scare him. Assign a friend or family member to make sure that he goes along in the car with you so that he won’t get left behind; take a picture of him to carry with you in case he gets lost at his new home.
In the New Home
When you arrive in your new home, take a look at things from your pet’s perspective; stoop down so that you can see from his eye level the things that are within his reach that might cause harm. Look for things like:
- Poisons contained in cleaners, insect repellents, medications, and plants
- Fire hazards
- Worn electrical cords
- Choking hazards like needles, bones, and small items that are sure to catch his attention
- Falling objects that are being placed in various rooms during the move
- Ways for him to escape through faulty fences and torn screens
Settling Into His New Home
One of the first things that you’ll want to do is locate a reliable veterinarian who can treat him should an accident occur. You can ask your realtor about professional referrals for both you and your pet. Place your pet’s toys, blankets, and belongings where he can find them and provide him plenty of food and water in a consistent location in your home. If you used the laundry room in your old home, try to use the laundry area in your new home. Be sure that you put a new ID tag on his collar, walk him around his new neighborhood, and remember to keep him on a leash for his safety and security in the new place.
Making sure that your furry companion is healthy and happy in his new Myrtle Beach home will also provide you with peace of mind as you settle in together.
