Are you getting ready for a family vacation or moving to a new home with your furry friends? If you are, then don’t forget to “Ready, Set, Go!” to prep your pet for the adventure ahead! Moving can be a stressful event for cats and dogs, but taking the time to plan ahead can make it easier — both for them and for you. With a few simple steps, you and your pet can have an enjoyable and stress-free experience. Read on to discover how to prepare your pet for a move or trip!
1. Making Your Pet Feel at Ease During a Move or Trip
Creating a Stress-Free Environment for Your Pet
Moving and travel can create a stressful environment for pets, so it is important to ensure that measures are taken to make sure your pet is safe and comfortable when dealing with big changes. Here are some tips for :
- Take the time to familiarize your pet with the new environment during trips or moves. This could mean taking walks around the neighborhood before the move or exploring the new living space on a dog leash when you arrive.
- It can help to take some familiar items with you when you move, such as familiar beds and toys, that can help make the process smoother.
- If your pet has to travel with you, make sure they have a comfortable carrier and make sure they have a familiar toy or blanket to help them relax.
It is also important to pay special attention to the emotional wellbeing of your pet during both moves and trips. Make sure they have plenty of time to rest and relax, and that they are always able to access their food and water. If possible, try to make sure that your pet’s routines remain the same, and don’t forget to give them plenty of affection as well.
These small steps can go a long way in helping your pet adjust to big changes, and making sure that their stress levels remain low during moves and trips. With a few minor adjustments, your pet can feel safer and more comfortable during their travels.
2. Get Ready, Ready, Set: Simple Ways to Prepare Your Pet
Safety First
The best way to help keep your pet healthy and safe during an emergency is to make sure you are prepared ahead of time. Stock up on pet food and pet supplies, especially medicine and pet-related first aid kits, in enough quantity to last at least two to four weeks. Also, make sure your pet has a current identification tag and is microchipped. It’s essential to keep a list of contacts handy—people you can contact in case you can’t care for your pet in an emergency.
Create a Pack
It’s always best to prepare an emergency bag ahead of time for your pet in case you have to evacuate and take your pet with you. Important items that you should include in this pack are:
- Leash and collar
- Food and water bowls
- Portable food containers
- Pet food and treats
- Medications
- Vaccination records
- Medical records and emergency contact information
- Cage, pet carrier and blanket
- Cleaning supplies (poop bags, antiseptic wipes and newspaper)
- Chew toys
- Dishwashing Liquid or shampoo
- First aid kits
Make a Plan
A good plan is essential in times of emergency. Plan out who will watch your pet and how you will get your pet to them. If you do not have access to a friend or family who can help you out, look into local shelters and boarding facilities ahead of time and make sure that they are equipped and willing to accept pets. Additionally, you can also make sure your pet is comfortable travelling in a car by driving around your neighborhood and beyond for short car rides to see how your pet reacts, and maybe even do a full drive-through with your pet to really get them used to it.
Think Ahead
During a crisis, electricity and water shortages can happen. Preparing for these events ahead of time can prevent complications in the future. Invest in battery operated water pumps, manual water dispensers and extra water bottles in case the water supply is disrupted. Additionally, purchase battery-operated fans and cooling mats if you anticipate extreme heat waves. Finding ways to help your pet cope ahead of time will help create a smooth transition if an emergency were to happen.
3. Establishing New Routines to Support a Smooth Transition
The beginning of a new school year marks a period of transition and adjustment for students, parents and educators. This year, due to the unprecedented events of 2020, it may look a little different. Luckily, there are many simple routines you can establish to support a smoother transition.
- Start early: Give your student plenty of time to get used to their new schedule. Having more time for themselves to relax, adjust and settle in may help alleviate any pressure about the next steps.
- Be mindful of communication: Establish clear communication channels between parents, students and educators. Utilize email, text or phone calls to ensure everyone is on the same page.
- Find times to bond: Building in times throughout the school year to bond with your student can help foster relationships and trust between both parties. This can be done through virtual hangouts, online games or engaging in an online discussion.
Seek out virtual clubs: Encourage your student to join virtual clubs or student groups where they can talk to other students who are going through similar experiences. This may be helpful for young adults as they navigate this newfound online learning environment.
Make time for enriching activities: Schedule study groups for a virtual book club or weekly brainstorming session. Incorporating activities that make learning enjoyable will not only help strengthen neuroplasticity but make learning more interesting and fun.
4. Enjoy Every Step of the Travel Journey Together
Travelling can often be tense and uncomfortable. But why not turn it all around and use it as an excuse to do something special and make unforgettable memories? Here are four suggestions to ensure that, whatever the destination and whatever the means of transport, everyone has a fun, memorable experience.
- Keep the conversation lively: Try to make the journey more exciting by playing fun board games, asking interesting questions and having conversations that are more interesting than the radio playing in the background.
- Exploration: When travelling by plane or train, take a quick tour of the vehicle and familiarise yourself with the different classes and areas available. Learning new things can also be fun, so encourage each other to find out helpful and exciting facts about the trip.
- Recline and relax: A comfortable journey can bring a better travel experience. Bring something comfy to lean on, like a pillow or a cushion, and take a nap close to each other.
- Capture memories: While travelling, take lots of pictures of places, sights and each other. These memories of enjoyable moments can be looked back on in the future.
From grand gestures to little touches, everyone can make a great trip become an awesome experience. No matter how short or long the travel is, or whether the journey is by plane, train, car or boat, you and your family can make the best of every journey together.
5. Home Sweet Home: How to Help Your Pet Adjust to a New Living Space
Making a move to a new living space can be hard for any of us – and our pets are no exception. However, with a little knowledge in how to help our furry friends adjust, we can make the process easier for them. Here are five simple tips for creating a warm, welcoming home for your pet.
- Keep Familiar Elements: Moving to a new place can be overwhelming for an animal, so it pays to keep elements of the old home in the new one. If your pet has a special toy or a blanket they love, those small reminders can provide an anchor and make them feel safe.
- Create a Routine: Our pets need time to adjust to a new environment – and having a consistent schedule helps. Feeding them at roughly the same time each day, as well as taking them out for walks and playing in the same room, will help to make for a smoother transition.
- Provide a “Chill Out” Spot: To counterbalance the stress of the change, make sure to provide your pet with a place to unplug and relax. Whether it’s an open window for them to curl up in and watch the world go by, or a secure corner of the house, give them options for retreating from the hustle and bustle.
- Introduce gradually: Moving is a stressful time – with so many new sights, smells, and sounds, it can be a lot for any pet to take in all at once. Introduce them to the house bit by bit and take things at their pace – going room by room, giving them a few days to explore each and get used to their surroundings.
- Be patient and understanding: We all need time to adjust to changes – whatever kind, big or small – and so do our furry friends. When they seem scared or timid, try to be sympathetic and understanding, and let them take the time they need.
Once the adjusting period is over and your pet is feeling more comfortable, you should find that new living space is now home sweet home. With these simple tips, you can help your pet settle in and be content in their new surroundings!
No matter what kind of move or trip you may have in store, your pet deserves to enjoy the experience just as much as you do! By giving them a head start with proper preparation, you’ll be sure to have a stress-free adventure with your favorite four-legged friend! [dqr_code]
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