Home Buying and Moving Tips for Pet Owners
Published on 9/18/2021
A pet can bring liveliness, laughter, and love to your home.
Whether you have a cat, dog, or other furry (or not furry) friend, making sure
they are happy and healthy is likely a top priority for you and your family.
However, when it comes time to move homes, having a pet can present some extra
challenges. Fortunately, a little bit of thought and planning can ensure that
everyone has a smooth move.
Finding the Right Home for You and Your Furry Friend
First and foremost, you need to find a home that will suit
the needs of your whole family, including your pet(s). Naturally, those needs
can vary significantly depending on what type of pet you have. Finding the
perfect home with a
large dog
is going to be quite different than if you own a hamster. It is a good idea to find a
realtor
who understands your needs as a pet owner. The good news is that you can find
pet lovers in every walk of life, including realty.
As you think about your possible home, your
budget must be a big factor. It is a good idea to look at the median sale price for homes in the area you are moving to.
In Louisburg,
that’s around $290,000. As you start to develop a sense of what you can afford,
try to prioritize your preferences. Know what is a “must-have” and what is a
“nice-to-have” for you and your pet.
Planning Your Move
Once you have found a home or are getting close to finding one, begin thinking about your
move.
A long-distance move can be more challenging with pets because it can be more stress-inducing. This is especially true for pets that don’t like being in cars. Thinking about how you can
reduce anxiety during the trip is an important part of planning. However,
you may have to accept that your pet will be a little anxious.
For a local move, consider using a storage unit. Wildcat Storage Center provides storage solutions in Louisburg at
competitive prices. If you have possessions that won’t fit in your new home, this can be a good option for storing them
long-term or until you have another option for them. Additionally, you can use a storage
unit to remove clutter from the home you're selling prior to listing and showing also reducing how much has to be moved on moving day. This is a good way to reduce stress for everyone involved (including your pet).
Moving With a Pet
As you start on your move, make sure you have a plan for getting your pet acclimated to the new home. If it is a short-distance move, consider moving your pet separately from the rest of your stuff, either before or after. This allows you to focus your time and energy more on helping your friend feel at home. According to animal rescue
PAWS, letting your pet get acclimated to a single room at first is a good strategy.
Cats and dogs are very focused on smell. Bringing some blankets, beds and other items that smell like your pet can help make the process less anxiety-provoking as well. Ultimately, the most important thing is
patience. Give your furry friend time to get comfortable and explore at his or her own pace.
Planning your move with a pet can be a little challenging. However, the effort is more than worth it to see your furry friend happy and healthy in a new home.
