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Pet Care 101- How to move with your pet into your partner's home
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Cardiff likes to ensure that I am not forgetting his important treats
Moving residences is considered to be one of life"s top stressors; enough to put an affecting strain on one's personal relationships, emotional well being, and physical health. I recently sold my condo and moved in with my partner. Fortunately, my dog, Cardiff, was equally welcomed into my partner's home. Stress from moving not only affects the humans involved, but our pets similarly can endure potential negative health consequences.
Your pet will sense the change occurring in your home and can exhibit behavioral or physiologic changes as a result. Take precautions and preparatory measures to help ensure that your move goes smoothly for you and your pet.
Maintain normal habits
If possible, maintain your pet's feeding, exercise, and sleep schedule. Feed your pet’s normal diet at consistent intervals to ensure regular digestive habits. If your pet is tired from play, they will be more likely to permit your pack and move process. Cardiff's inquisitive terrier nature motivates his involvement in all my household activities, therefore he often gets underfoot. He is most cooperative and permissive of my need to pack when appropriately fatigued and elects to lounge on the couch rather than run around my feet. Lack of rest from irregular sleep patterns or overstimulation can potentially lead to suppression of the immune system or incidences of inappropriate behavior.
Identifcation
Make sure your pet wears proper identifcation, such as a cervical (neck) collar with up to date tags. Information on tags should, at a minimum, include your pets name and the phone number at which you can best be reached. Some owners elect to not put their address on their dog's tag for privacy reasons, however, including it can expedite the return of your pet. Collars and tags can be lost or removed, so I recommend your pet be implanted with a microchip, which a veterinary hospital or shelter will scan for upon your lost pet's arrival. Keep your information up to date with the microchip manufacturer and your veterinary hospital.
Confnement
If needed, confine your pet to a crate or small room to prevent possible escape through a door (or window) kept open during the moving process. If needed, give a veterinary prescribed sedative (such as Acepromazine) or natural stress relieving supplement (such as Pet Rescue Remedy). Exercising or playing with your pet before they are confined can improve their tolerance of the confinement.
Adjusting to home life with your partner
As you adjust to your shared space, be considerate of your pet's needs to have their own space as well. Designate areas for your pet to eat, drink, play, and sleep. Additionally, specific and appropriate locations for urination and defecation are essential. Use food treats, praise, and repetition to ensure your pet understands and maintains the newly designated behavioral patterns.
Moving in with a partner is a process that requires some degree of adjustment for all parties involved including your pets. Plan ahead and reduce potential incidents that could be detrimental to you and your pet's physical and emotional health.
For further information on pet care topics, please see my Examiner.com home page and www.californiapaw.com
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