By Guest Blogger, Cindy Aldridge

Downsizing is enormously stressful at the best of times.

Add your furry best friend into the mix and it’s a lot like climbing Mount Everest with both hands tied behind your back.

Pets are creatures of routine – they don’t handle changes very well, making them prone to anxiety.

You will need to pay special care to their needs if you want to downsize without causing undue distress to them.

Luckily, I have some surefire suggestions to keep your furry friend happy during the move.

Get Ready for the Move

The earlier you begin with the downsizing planning and preparation, the smoother it will be for the both of you.

Downsizing involves thousands of smaller processes, from house preparation to sale.

Make sure you plan and account for each one. Some things to think about are:

● Your finances, including mortgage

● Downsizing expenses

● Hiring service people – from realtors to handymen

● Finding a new home

● Transportation and packing

● Documents – from property disclosures to titles

LifeStorage offers a comprehensive downsizing checklist you can consult.

Prep Your Home for Sale

You may need to get your home set for sale, which may involve updates, maintenance, and repairs.

It’s a good idea to get leaking pipes and cracked windows fixed, for instance, as they’re a major turn-off for buyers.

If you have big, noisy repairs planned, putting your pet in daycare may make them more comfortable.

Find a Pet-Friendly Home

You’ll be moving to a smaller home, which means less space for your pet.

You can compensate for the lack of space by making sure there are plenty of parks or similar open areas nearby where you can walk your pet.

Make sure your new housing association allows pets, and that there are vets nearby.

Familiarize Your Pet with the Home

Taking your dog to see their new home, if it’s an option, will give them a chance to get comfortable with the new environment.

Let your dog sniff around the house and take them for a walk around the neighborhood.

That way, they won’t feel so out of place when they move there.

Familiarize Your Pet with a Carrier

Moving your pet by carrier – especially when you’re moving long-distance – is one of the best ways to keep them safe and comfortable during the trip, reports TripsWithPets.

You should introduce a pet carrier a few weeks in advance and make them comfortable with it.

Downsize With Care

Downsizing will involve a ton of packing.

Make sure you do it slowly over time, instead of at once a few days in advance.

Too much activity can make your pet anxious.

By packing slowly, you can minimize the disturbances.

You can put your furniture, boxes, and odds and ends in a single room and lock the door to prevent it from getting chewed on.

Think About Moving Day

Moving day will be especially chaotic. Here are some considerations you should make:

● Runaway pets: Your pet may get scared because of moving-day activity and run away. You should lock them in a separate room, if possible, to keep them safe. Also, get a GPS collar so you can track them if they do escape.

● Transportation: Transporting your pet in a carrier may not be possible. In such cases, if you’re going by car, plan for rest stops along the way. Give them plenty of breaks and allow them to run around to get rid of excess pent-up energy.

● Pet sitters: Hiring a pet sitter for the day may be a good investment. It will minimize your pet’s anxiety and keep them from getting underfoot. You may not even have to involve them in the downsizing if you hire a pet sitter.

● Essentials: Consider packing a separate bag for your pet with some essential items like food, medicine, and toys. You won’t have the time or energy to rummage about in packed boxes later.

● Safety: Don’t leave any harmful substances or loose objects lying around – your pet could get hurt.

Conclusion

It could be a while before your pet settles in.

It takes a few days for dogs, and typically longer for cats. Routines help, as do care and reassurances – shower them with affection and they will soon feel as right as rain (and so will you!)

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Guest Blogger Cindy Aldridge is the creator of OurDogFriends.org, a website advocating for the love and ownership of dogs. She believes that dogs truly are our best friends and wants to see less dogs in shelters and more in loving homes.

The opinions and views expressed in any guest blog post do not necessarily reflect those of Michael Helwig Interiors or its Principal, Michael Helwig. Michael Helwig Interiors, and Michael Helwig, do not have any affiliations with any products or services mentioned in the article or linked to therein. Guest Authors may have affiliations to products mentioned or linked to in their author bios.