1. Do preventive training for anticipated issues.
If your pet isn’t accustomed to traveling, begin just putting your pet in a car and offering treats. Advance to taking short trips. This allows your pet to adapt to changes on their time, rather than developing a significant fear.
Accustom your pet to a crate at home for short periods. Put special treats or favorite toys inside. Create this portable safe haven.

2. Maintain a routine for your pet.
Keep a basic schedule for your pet, even if yours is out of control. Regular feeding times and established play or exercise times, and grooming are anchors of normalcy.
Keep this routine prior to and after the move, until you see that your pet is comfortable.

3. Take steps to avoid confusion and anxiety.
Depending on your pet’s personality, the boxes of moving and rearrangements are unsettling. Putting your pet in a quiet place (or into the crate) while you work may help. Be aware of for signs of stress --- failure to use the litter box or marking of boxes, change in appetite and other behavioral clues.

4. Provide a secure place during and after the move.
You may choose to board your cat or dog through the maximal days of life’s upheaval, or quickly restore one small room to normal, with familiar furniture. Allow gradual exploration, but use the familiar room as the base camp for your pet (again, depending on personality)

5. Familiarize your pet with the new home.
Have identification on your pet --- a collar and ID and/or a microchip, in case your pet gets out or lost.
Walk the perimeter of your yard with your dog repeatedly, to help establish boundaries.
Try to establish positive relationships with neighbors with a greeting food treat.
Outside cats should be carried outside or put on leash for a period of time to learn their new boundaries.

6. Don’t accidentally increase your pet’s anxiety.
Unfortunately, the use of consoling words in a soothing voice adds to anxiety, because the tone of voice is a positive reinforcement for whatever your cat or dog is feeling. Try for a narrator’s voice.

7. Consult your veterinarian to help with questions and concerns.
If you call Northwest Animal Hospital at 614-451-4772, one of our doctors will respond to your questions.