How To Move With An Anxious Pet

Today we are very pleased to welcome Sarah Hollenbeck from siegemedia.com

Sarah has written an exclusive article just for us on a topic that will be of interest to all of us. The article, "How to Move With an Anxious Pet," is a comprehensive guide to helping you and your pet through what can be a very stressful situation.

Even if you have no plans to move, the article also includes signs to look for and ways to help your pet with anxiety under any circumstances.

Thank you so much Sarah for sharing this helpful information with all of us. 

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How to Move With An Anxious Pet 

When dogs are exposed to a new environment, it is often a frightening experience for them. Especially with pit bulls, separation anxiety is common and can be heightened when it comes time for you to move into a new home. Being able to recognize when your dog is in distress is important in order to ease the fear of the moving process for them. 

With time and effort, your new home can become less scary and more comfortable for you and your pet. The team at MyMove has created the ultimate guide on how to move your pet safely, with tips on how to spot (and react) if your dog is showing signs of anxiety. 
How to Spot If Your Dog Is Anxious One way to help with the moving process with an anxious pet is to monitor your dog’s behavior. If you notice that their behavior and actions have significantly changed, they might be feeling nervous or confused with their environment. A few specific examples of anxious tendencies include:

1. Excessive Barking. Barking is a way for dogs to communicate the various emotions they might be experiencing. They might be barking out of boredom, fear, or because they are trying to seek attention. If you notice your pet is barking more than their typical amount when you move to a different house, they could be trying to get your attention or working to understand the new environment. Make sure to not yell at them, since this will stimulate them to bark more. Instead, try and use a calming yet stern tone. 
2. Abnormal Panting. Extreme panting could be a physical sign that your dog is either ill or anxious. Giving them attention during this time can be beneficial, as well as playing calming music. However, each individual dog has their own coping mechanisms, and trying out different practices during moving time is beneficial to improve the experience for your furry friend. 
3. Change in Energy Levels. If your dog typically is extremely active and suddenly is idle, or vice versa, this might be a sign of anxiety. They might not be comfortable with their surroundings yet, and one way to help is to consistently walk them around the house, and to make it a daily routine for them to feel more familiar with their new home.​

How to Help Your Dog Adjust to the Move

​There are many ways to help your dog feel comfortable and adjust to the move. From natural remedies to introducing new toys, feel free to try out various options to best fit your pet. A few helpful tips to consider are listed below: 

1. Natural Remedies. Remedies like CBD oil can help naturally ease your dog’s nerves. There are also essential oil sprays made for dogs that can make the environment feel less chaotic and more familiar. 
2. Introduce New Toys. Giving them a distraction can be a good way to ease anxiety. With new toys, your dog can feel a sense of excitement rather than fear that they have been experiencing. It brings about a positive feeling in a situation where they don’t necessarily feel comfortable. 

Bring in a Piece of the Old Home. In order to better transition the move, bringing in a piece of your old home into the new one can make things less overwhelming. Your dog will feel more comfortable with this piece from the past, leading to them feeling less anxious about the various boxes, new couch, and overall new structure of their living space. This can be a bed, toy, or piece of furniture that they enjoyed the most from the old house.

Although it might take some time, you and your fur baby will soon be adjusted to your new home. Testing out various options like bringing in new toys or having a piece of your old environment might help your furry friend feel more comfortable. Moving into a new home, city, or state can be a stressful time for humans too, so any way you can make it easier on your pets will help you in the long run as well