How to ease your pet's anxiety after a move: change of environment and adaptation process

How to ease your pet's anxiety after a move: change of environment and adaptation process

It's easy to overlook the anxiety and stress that pets experience after a move. A change of environment is hard enough on humans, but it can be even more stressful for pets. When our dog Suri experienced a recent move, she became extremely anxious in her new environment, and we explored different ways to help her.

New environment, pet anxiety

Suri had lived in the same home for seven years and felt secure, but after the move, she began to exhibit anxious behavior. Changing things in the house, new noises, and unfamiliar surroundings can be psychologically taxing for pets. Suri wouldn't go more than a meter away from her new home and became anxious whenever she went out.

Practical ways to help them adjust

1. Keep familiar objects

To help your pet settle in, it's important to use the same food bowl and litter box as before. You should also try to keep the bedding arrangement similar to their previous home to give them a sense of security.

2. Set up a walking routine

It's a good idea to keep walks short and easy at first, as new stimuli can cause your pet to become nervous. Keep walks on a set routine to provide a sense of security.

3. Increase the amount of time you spend together

In the early days of a move, it's important to maximize the amount of time you spend with your pet. Try activities like nose-walking to help your pet explore and sniff the house, while spending time relaxing in the new environment.

The bottom line

Your pet's anxiety after a move will gradually ease over time, but you'll need to make some practical efforts to help the process along. It's important to create an environment that gives your pet a sense of security and help them adjust. By doing so, your pet will be able to adapt to their new surroundings quickly.

 Moving and pet anxiety

You've recently moved and your pet, Suri, is experiencing extreme anxiety. Here's how Suri's behavior is changing as she struggles to adjust to her new surroundings, and what you can do to help.

Symptoms of anxiety

Suri can't get more than a meter away from her new home, and she gets anxious when she goes outside.

She lived in the same house for seven years before moving, so the sudden change in environment is very stressful.

Try to reduce anxiety

Keep familiar things: Keep Suri's food bowl and litter box, and don't change her bedding arrangement much to give her a sense of security.

Walk routine: Start walks short and easy, avoid meeting other dogs, and walk at a set time to provide a sense of security.

More time together: Increase the amount of time you spend with your pet in the early days of the move, and help them adjust to their new surroundings naturally.

Bottom line.

An important way to help your pet adjust to a new environment is to be gradual and steady, even if it takes time. It's important to create an environment that makes them feel physically and emotionally secure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q1: Why is my pet anxious after a move?

New environments are stressful for pets, and sudden changes can be psychologically traumatizing, especially for pets that have lived in the same home for seven years.

Q2: How can I ease my pet's anxiety?

To help your pet get used to the new environment, we recommend keeping as much of their old stuff as possible, and keeping walks short and easy, at a set time. It's also important to increase the amount of time you spend with your pet, and give them opportunities to explore their new surroundings.

Q3: What activities are helpful when I'm with my pet?

To help them adjust to the new environment, nose-walks (scent games) with treats are helpful. This allows pets to naturally explore their home and feel less anxious.

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