Moving in together? Congrats! This is one of the most exciting times for couples.
However, be aware that not everyone will be thrilled about this next step in your relationship. When households unite, pets can become stressed.
“Moving is a stressful experience for pets, just as it is for us,” says Dr. Andrea Sanchez, a veterinarian with Banfield Pet Hospital. Sanchez offers these tips for easing the transition and keeping your whole family happy and healthy:
Visit Your Vet Pet parents tend to be biased towards their four-legged friends. So while you could never imagine your beloved Chihuahua being a grouchy housemate, a second opinion may be in order.
Before moving, check in with your veterinarian about what to expect from your individual pet. “It’s important to get advice early on from a veterinary professional, especially one who knows your pet,” says Sanchez.
Respect Everyone’s Space You love the idea of sharing a home, but your pets weren’t involved in the decision. With this in mind, be sure to give them plenty of space as they adjust.
“Make sure each pet has a designated area that’s all theirs, with no access from the other pet, so each individual pet knows their resources are secure in the new environment,” says Sanchez.
Even if everyone is getting along great, don’t allow pets to have unsupervised interactions during the first couple weeks. Cats may need to be kept separate longer than dogs, and should be slowly introduced.
Show Them Some Love Moving can be hectic, but it's important to make time for your pets. As everyone adjusts to the new living arrangement, pets should spend one-on-one time with their individual humans. "We always suggest that clients continue to get plenty of alone time with their primary owner, and plenty of attention, too," says Sanchez.
Take It Slow With pets, love at first sight is rare. If things aren’t going well at first, rest assured that this is perfectly normal.
“Be aware that there will always be an adjustment period,” says Sanchez. “The time it takes to get used to the new situation, and the new digs, will be different for each household.”