Essential Steps to Take Right After Moving to a New House with Pets

New house, new adventures! 🏠 🐾 My human says settling in is all about routine, comfort, and love. Check out the essential steps to help your fur babies feel at home after a move! ❤️ #HappyTailsStartHere

Hey, my furry friends and their paw-some parents, Karma, here with an update, letting our Pack of friends know what’s been happening with us! It’s been a wild year for us at PurrfectPawsPack. My Dad couldn’t handle the religious abuse in our town anymore, so Dad bought a camper, we moved into it, and we moved four hours away to Sunnybrook, Alberta, Canada. We spent the summer looking for a place to rent, but because my brother Trigger and I are “Bully Breeds,” people automatically said “no” every time. In May, Grandma moved in with us after she finally had enough of her abusive boyfriend, which means we get treated and spoilt like crazy all the time!

In September, we moved to a different RV pad, and it was better than in Sunnybrook, but it also had its downfalls. For instance, we are a lot further from town than before; we don’t know anyone out here, so if we need help from friends, there’s nobody to call, and with all the animals in the yard where we’re staying, us doggos aren’t allowed to run around and play. We have a kennel, and that’s it. My Dad and Grandma, thankfully, bring us to the dog park in Sedgewick, Alberta, a couple of times a week to run and play so we don’t go stir-crazy!

The other day, when my Dad turned on the furnace, it wouldn’t run. He checked everything and still had no luck getting it going. My Dad believes our camper will need a new furnace, which has given us no choice but to move back to our hometown, back to the religious abuse. If only we could afford the furnace, we wouldn’t be going back. I know Dad doesn’t want to go back there, but I and my siblings will be there the whole time, through thick and thin.

After everything that happened in 2024, we have some experience moving to a new home, which means we understand that it is a big adjustment for everyone, including our pets. Like humans, cats, dogs, and other animals can experience stress and anxiety when their surroundings change, so it’s crucial to help us settle comfortably and safely. This guide is Karma-approved and covers the essential steps you can take to make the transition smoother for your furry friends and ensure they feel right at home in no time.

1. Set Up a Safe Space for Your Pets First

When you arrive, Create a designated “safe space” for them. This room should be quiet, ideally away from the noise and chaos of moving boxes and furniture. A bathroom or bedroom can work well for cats. For dogs, a space where we can still see you but have some separation from the main activity is ideal. My Dad did this immediately, as we tend to get excited over nothing! Keeping us separated helped Dad load and unload boxes without us fur babies getting in the way!

-Place our familiar bed, favourite toys, water bowl, and some treats in the room with them to keep them entertained and help them feel comfortable more quickly. 😉 It worked for us; we even fell asleep!

-To help ease their anxiety, you could use a calming scent or pheromone spray, like Feliway for cats or Adaptil for dogs. Our Dad has used this with us; we love it, and so does our Dad!

-Avoid significant activity in this area to allow your pets time to adjust and feel secure in the new environment. My Dad was vigilant about working in the regions we weren’t in so we would have the time to adapt and feel comfortable within our new space. He gave us peace of mind and the ability to fall asleep through the chaos.

2. Unpack Your Pet’s Essentials First

-Just as you prioritize unpacking essentials for yourself, make sure your pet’s items are easy to access. This includes their food, water bowls, cat litter boxes, and toys. Familiar smells and objects provide comfort and can ease the transition. My Dad always has toys, blankets, food, and water for us that are readily available and go with us everywhere, so if we have to spend the night somewhere unexpectedly, we fur babies will always be comfortable!

-If possible, place their items in similar spots to those in your previous home (for example, kitchen food bowls and living room beds). This will help them to feel like nothing has changed. My dad does this, and it makes my life and the lives of my siblings much easier because we don’t have to bug Dad for food. We already know where it is, and it’s always packed! Those little brats don’t have to beg for their bathroom box, as it’s put in the same place every time.

-Avoid washing their bedding or toys right away. The familiar scent from the old house will help them feel at home more quickly. My dad had to wash my bed after moving last time because I 🤮 on it. This made my transition more difficult because my bed didn’t smell like me, which meant… I, Karma, was sleeping with Dad; he could do nothing about it, nor did he fight it; secretly, between you and me, I think he likes sharing his bed with me. Can you blame him? Look at me!

See, there’s no way my Dad could say no to me!

3. Keep Routines Consistent

-All fur babies thrive on routine, and sticking to your usual schedule for feeding, playtime, and bathroom breaks can help them adjust. Maintaining consistency reminds them that not everything has changed, giving them a sense of stability. For instance, no matter where we are, my siblings and I are a menace to our Dad, getting him out of bed most days before seven in the morning to go outside!

-Feed them at the usual times, even if you’re busy unpacking. This will help them maintain their routine, which will ultimately help them adjust to the new home. My Dad always puts food and water out for us, but after a long trip, we usually don’t eat for the first couple hours, as playtime comes first in our world!

-Schedule playtime and walks just as you would in your previous home. Taking your pups for walks early will help them check out and adjust to the new smells around their new home, making them feel more peaceful and at ease. My dad does this with us when he gets the mail, as it’s only a few blocks from the house we’re moving to!

-If you’ve moved to a different time zone, gradually adjust feeding times to help them transition. Time zones and time changes throw everyone out of whack for a while. We know this all too well here in Alberta, as we have time change twice a year here, once in the spring, where we move the time forward one hour, and in the fall, when we move the clocks back one hour. Try to stick to your regular feeding schedule, but adjust for the time difference, as our bodies don’t understand time changes!

4. Gradually Introduce Them to the New Space

-Once your furry friend seems comfortable in their safe space, gradually introduce them to other home parts. Dogs may feel more comfortable exploring with you, while cats prefer to explore independently. My Dad has lots of experience with this! Tigger and Jerry like to explore and go on scavenger hunts alone, while we Doggos love being with our Dad! Being with our Dad while getting used to a new place is super important because he makes us feel safe and loved.

-For dogs, leash and take them on a room tour, encouraging positive behaviours with treats and praise. This will help us form positive attachments to the room, especially if something in the room is a known stressor for the pup.

-For cats, leave doors open and let them explore at their own pace. Avoid overwhelming them with too much space too quickly; a few rooms at a time work best. Ensure they know where their litter box, food, and water are.

-Be mindful of potential hiding spots where nervous pets may feel trapped, and secure any unsafe areas, such as the basement, attic, or spaces with electrical wiring. Some cats are small enough to wedge underneath the space between a door and the floor, as I saw my brother, Jerry, complete this feat.

5. Pet-Proof Your New Home

-Your new home may have some hazards that weren’t present before, so take the time to pet-proof. This is especially important for dogs and cats who may feel inclined to explore new places by chewing or scratching. Yes, Trigger, I’m putting you on blast; your chewing is starting to get on these Staffy nerves… Pet-proofing is something every pet parent needs to do before bringing their fur babies into their new home to avoid needing to buy new couch cushions, shoes, and towels, right Trigger… 😂

-Ensure that window screens are secure, especially in a multi-story home. Cats, in particular, can be curious about windows. If the window screens are broken, replacing them as soon as possible would be the best solution, as opening windows without screens can be dangerous in a home with fur babies.

-Check for any small gaps or holes in cabinets, walls, or floors a small pet could squeeze into or get stuck in. There are many places in a house that smaller cats and dogs can hide or get stuck in, and it’s best to take care of those minor imperfections before introducing your furry friends to their new home. Another thing to think about is soup cans. Soup cans have a big enough hole for cats to get their heads stuck inside, causing them to suffocate; therefore, putting soup cans and the like in the garbage as soon as possible is always best practice!

-Remove toxic plants or any hazardous items, such as cleaning supplies, that may be accessible. These items can be life-threatening to us furballs!

-Secure heavy furniture or wall decor that could fall if knocked into by a curious pet. It’s not a secret or surprise that we furry friends can get the zoomies out of nowhere, which means anything and everything in the way will get destroyed… unless it’s appropriately secured.

6. Set Up a Familiar Bathroom Routine

-If you have a dog, reestablishing a bathroom routine is crucial. We dogs may need clarification on our new surroundings, so it's essential to help us understand where we can go. For instance, no matter where we are or where we live, my Dad first takes us outside. He takes us out first thing in the morning every two to three hours throughout the day and once right before bed. This has been our bathroom routine since I came home with my Dad. Using this very technique, my Dad was able to fully house-train Trigger within two months; the first seven weeks of his life, he wasn’t adequately socialized, fed, or taken outside for the bathroom (the pups were relieving themselves in the bedroom they were in), so the two months it took my Dad to house-train my brother, is so rewarding. I’m so proud of my Dad and Trigger for their hard work together!

-Take them outside frequently to a designated spot in your yard or nearby area, especially during the first few days. This will help furry friends familiarize themselves with the new environment with their smells, in turn making them more comfortable.

-Reward them with treats and praise when they go to the right spot to reinforce positive behaviour.

-For cats, set up their litter box in a quiet, low-traffic area. Please keep it in the same spot for the first few weeks to minimize confusion and accidents.

7. Introduce Outdoor Spaces Slowly and Safely

If you have an outdoor cat or dog who spends time in the yard, gradually introducing outdoor areas is essential. First, gradual exposure helps your pet acclimate to new environments, ensuring it is comfortable and confident exploring its surroundings. This can significantly reduce anxiety and stress, allowing for a more positive outdoor experience.

-Second, it allows you to monitor your pet's reactions to various stimuli, such as sounds, smells, and other animals. Regular exposure can help them learn how to behave safely around these distractions. Lastly, slowly introducing outdoor spaces also helps build trust between you and your pet. It allows for a paced exploration where you can guide their experiences, making enforcing boundaries easier and ensuring they stay safe while enjoying the great outdoors. Remember, every furry friend is different, so personalize their introduction to the outdoors for the best results!

-For dogs, leash walks around the backyard or neighbourhood will help them feel more comfortable with the area. If your yard is fenced and secure, you can let them explore off-leash once they understand the boundaries. For the first few weeks, keep cats used to outdoor time inside. Then, start with supervised outdoor sessions on a leash or in a secured area until they are more familiar with their surroundings.

8. Monitor Their Behaviour for Signs of Stress

During the transition period, monitor your furry friend’s behaviour for signs of stress, such as excessive grooming, lack of appetite, or aggression. Each pet responds differently to change; some may need extra time and support.

-If your pet shows signs of anxiety, create a comforting space with toys and bedding and spend extra time with it to provide reassurance.

-Natural calming aids, like pheromone diffusers or calming treats, can benefit some pets.

-If signs of stress persist or worsen, consult your veterinarian for additional guidance.

9. Update Their Information and Microchip

After moving, one of the most critical steps is to update your pet’s ID tags and microchip information with your new address and phone number.

- Visit your vet or the website of your pet’s microchip provider to update your contact details.

- Update any online pet profiles or services (such as dog walking apps) you use with your new location.

Ensure your pet always wears its updated ID tag during the first few weeks, when it may still be adjusting to the new area.

10. Find a New Veterinarian and Emergency Contacts

-If you’ve moved to a new city, research veterinarians in your area and establish care with a trusted clinic.

-Ask for recommendations from neighbours or search for local veterinarians with positive reviews.

-Familiarize yourself with the closest 24-hour emergency vet clinic for urgent care.

Schedule an introductory visit with your new vet, so they have your pet’s records on file and you feel prepared for emergencies.

11. Give Them Lots of Love and Patience

-Above all, be patient and give your furry friends extra love and attention. Moving is a huge change, and while some of us furry babies might adapt quickly, others may take longer to feel at home. Cuddle them, play with them, and give them reassurance through familiar routines and treats.

Final Thoughts

Moving with pets can be challenging, but you can make the transition a positive experience with the proper steps. Creating a safe, familiar environment, sticking to routines, and gradually introducing new spaces gives your furry friends the best chance to feel at home quickly. As they settle in and explore their new surroundings, you’ll see their confidence return—and soon, they’ll be enjoying their new home just as much as you are.