The Stress of Moving--Reality for You and Your Pet. 

Moving rates high on the stress-meter for most of us. Is your regular routine disturbed by a move? Do you find yourself distracted or easily upset? Extra tired? If the answer to those questions is "yes" or even "kinda," your animal not only is getting the message but is likely to be feeling the same way. Here's how some animals respond to change. 

DOGS 

Dogs are extremely sensitive to the moods and reactions of their "housekeeping staff." They are "pack" animals- meaning they prefer to be with you and other dogs in a group. They are sensitive to hierarchy and if you are the head of the pack, they are very aware of how you're feeling. During a move, dogs can become claustrophobic, jittery, upset, and even aggressive. They may even anticipate your stress, sensing it before you do. 

CATS 

Cats can suffer from "territorial disorders," especially after moving. Give your cat fast-track therapy by reducing the anxiety-producing new territory to a small room containing familiar bedding and toys. Gradually expand her territory when you are present and able to give attention and support. 

BIRDS 

Birds respond to stress by picking at their feathers, molting, or becoming depressed. Distance or climate can be factors, and parrots can become depressed by changes such as moving from country to town. They may pick their feathers and injure themselves. Some signs of stress are loose watery droppings, shivering, heavy breathing, fluffed feathers, lack of vocalizations, poor appetite, and lethargy.
 

RABBITS 

Just like dogs and cats, rabbits are very sensitive to territory. As prey animals, rabbits are extremely sensitive and alert to changes in their environment. You may find that your rabbit will hide under a chair or a table for several days following a move. Your rabbit may also increase his attempts at dominant behaviors, for this helps the rabbit designate his territory better. Following the move, let your bunny take time to know his new environment, let him hide if he needs to, stroke him, and reassure him that he is in a safe place. 

SMALL ANIMALS 

Small animals experience stress from new surroundings and may injure each other, pull out hair, refuse to eat, or become dehydrated. 

Basic Stress Reduction A-B-C's 

Behavioral or emotional problems are one of the biggest reasons people abandon or give up their pets, and a pet under stress is going to add to the difficulties of the move.  

That's why it's vital to be proactive before you must deal with the actual move itself. The solutions are often simple and inexpensive when compared with treatment of a physical illness.
 

A
Alternative Veterinary Medicine and naturopathic care may have great benefits for helping reduce your pet's stress. Search the Internet using keywords such as Complementary, Alternative, and Holistic Veterinary Medicine to find sites with information and make contact with naturopathic veterinarians in the area. 

B
Bach Flower Remedies for Animals: This natural herbal remedy is well detailed in Bach Flower Remedies for Animals by Helen Graham. Find it online along with other resources. 

C
Communicate with your pet through massage, verbal soothing, and preventing physical discomfort. Tellington Touch, a way of touching an animal to ease fear or emotional problems, is easy to learn and very comforting for stressed pet and owner alike. 

Cautions and Precautions After Your Move 

The First 5-10 Days
The most dangerous problem you could face is your dog or cat's possible escape from your new house and becoming lost.  

Getting acquainted with neighbors, and introducing your pets to them and their pets, is a first step in ensuring you have help while you all settle into your new surroundings. 

Another smart idea for unconfined pets: Keep your pet in a single room and hang up a sign that says "DO NOT OPEN! PETS IN HERE." Or put a table across the door below the sign. Hang a bell on the door knob to alert you if it is opened. Or take your pets to a drop-in day care facility for a day. 

DOGS 

Examine the fences of your new home in detail to ensure they are dog-proof because of the danger of your dog getting out and getting lost. Make repairs your first priority. 

If you need to construct a fence, a chain mesh and pipe fence is the standard type of dog fence, and is probably the cheapest. A picket fence makes a good dog enclosure; however, dogs can get their paws lodged between the pickets at the top of the fence. While very dangerous, this can be easily prevented by covering the gap between the top of each picket with a horizontal paling, running the entire length of the fence. 

The best dog fence by far is a solid wooden fence. Just make sure the horizontal beams do not become a ladder to help the dog climb the fence. 

CATS 

Stopping your cat from roaming through your fences after a move is difficult to impossible. If your cat is usually outside for some of the day, resist the temptation to allow it to be free for at least the first 10-14 days.  

Cat enclosures can be constructed and are available commercially. As an alternative, keep your cat inside and try to ensure she is familiar with her new territory before allowing her outside. Depending on the cat, this can take from a few days to a few weeks. Be alert to your neighbor's view of cats; an amateur bird sanctuary next door may mean your kitty will be highly unwelcome. 

The priority for most cats is to eat and sleep, and you'll be smart to work on these aspects of your cat's new lifestyle first. 

Feed your cat small tasty meals four to five times daily. This will give it a "time for goodies focus" associated with her new eating spot. Cats are hunters- let your cat hunt for her food by leaving small amounts of cat food in several locations or by scattering dry food over the floor in the laundry or a secure deck. And cats (hunters again!) prefer warm food. To add appeal to refrigerated canned food, warm the portion you are feeding to room temperature in a plastic baggie immersed in hot water or in the microwave (careful not to overheat!). 

For snoozing and sleeping, take some familiar article of bedding from your old home, complete with some cat hair, and leave that in what you feel is likely to be the cat's favorite resting spot. Let your cat set the location, then place the bedding in the area she selects. 

Allow your cat to perch on furniture or a climbing "tree" near an outside window so that she can view her new territory, without getting out and into it just yet. 

A useful trick in helping her get settled is to rub a warm damp towel over your cat's body and especially around her face to captiure some of her scent. Next, rub the scent on the towel onto prominent surfaces around the house such as on corners of furniture and on doorways. This establishes ownership of the new house with the cat's scent and helps her feel in possession. 

The Next 15-30 Days 

Releasing dogs into a yard (assuming it is enclosed) is easy, but cats, rabbits, and other small pets are more difficult.  

For indoor-outdoor cats, start by placing kitty in a cage of some type in the yard. A cat transport cage is suitable- and many pet catalogs offer large size net-covered "cages" that allow your cat(s) to have play space and access to grass. Place the cage in a shaded part of the yard (with just a small area of sun) and let the cat view her surroundings. Best not to leave your cat unattended. By using a cage for a few weeks, your cat can get her bearings more easily and safely. You can also orient your cat by using a harness and walking your cat around the yard. 

To prepare kitty for her release, train her to "come" for her meal. At dinnertime, bang a cat food can or your cat's food bowl with a spoon as you call your cat's name. Then, when you plan to release your cat, do so just before dinnertime. If your cat slinks off and hides, she is more likely to return when you bang on the food bowl and call her name. Practice this inside first! you can also "sing" to your pets, using a sing-song ditty and rewarding your pet when she comes.  

BUILDING A PET TRAVEL KIT 

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