While moving is very stressful for the two-legged members of your family, pets find it even more difficult to adjust to new surroundings after a move.

You may think your cat or dog will adjust just fine.  However, here are some tips to help them through the transition, which will ensure their happiness as well as yours.

CATS

Let's start with the pet that will take the most adjusting. Maybe there's something to that phrase "scaredy cat"?

Introduce your cat to their new Greenville home gradually, restricting it to one or two rooms at first. Place the litterbox, bed, scratching post, food and water in the room with it. This gives it the chance to become accustomed to the sounds and smells in your new home. It also gives them a room of their own to use later as a refuge or if they feel uncertain.

  • Keep doors and windows closed and make sure there aren't any crawl spaces or holes where they can escape to and that you can't access.

 

  •  Let them explore on their own. If they decide to hide under the bed, let them be. They'll eventually come out when they feel safe. 
  • If you plan on allowing your cat outside, make sure you keep it indoors for at least two weeks so that your home is familiar to them. After two weeks, take the cat outside with you and let it explore a bit. After ten minutes or so, take it back inside. Each day increase the time until the cat feels safe and knows the area. Also make sure that kitty is properly tagged with your new address and phone number.

DOGS

While dogs seem to adjust easier than cats, they still require special care and handling. This is especially true if you're moving from a Greenville home to an apartment or from a large house to a smaller home. Room to move around and exercise can be critical to a dog's contentment.

 So, to help Fido adjust, follow these tips:

 

When taking Fido outside for the first time, keep him leashed and allow him the time to explore his neighborhood. Like Fluffy, your dog should be introduced to the area around your home slowly. It's a good idea to explore it a block at a time, just to see who else lives in your neighborhood. Strange dogs can pose a threat and cause your pet unnecessary stress.

If possible, allow yourself some time before you start your new job. This will give you time to help your dog adjust. During this period of adjustment, start spending time away from the house, doing so in small increments just to see how your dog will respond. Eventually, when you do start work and you have to spend all day away, your dog should be adjusted to the home and feel comfortable being alone there.

No matter what kind of pet you have, adjusting to a new Greenville home is tough. Knowing your animal and the kind of pet they are - confident, social or shy - will help you determine what they're individual needs are.

 Good luck, and hopefully, you won't need to resort to kitty valium!

Learn more about buying and moving into your Greenville home by visiting LizFreemanHomes.com.

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