Many pet owners are understandably concerned about how to keep their dogs and cats feeling safe and secure when they’re moving to a new home. I was honored to talk with Dr. Nicholas Dodman of Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, who shared great advice on reducing pets’ stress during this time of transition. You may have seen Dr. Dodman on the Discovery Channel’s Animal Planet. He is one of the world’s most noted veterinary behaviorists.
Reducing stress during home showings
Keep pets away from potential buyers. “There is a lot of downside to having pets around during home showings,” Dr. Dodman cautions. “Someone could inadvertently let an indoor pet out, or could be frightened of pets. Another issue is liability, if the animal becomes scared and bites or scratches the buyer or realtor.”
To avoid these scenarios, Dodman advises homeowners to either take the pets out of the home during showings, or if that’s not possible, to keep the pets in a separate, very comfortable area of the home and be sure that any agents who are showing the home area aware of this.
Create a safe haven. “If your pet is going to remain in the home during showings, make sure it is nicely appointed. This could mean having their bed in the room as well as a carrier or crate with the door open. Be sure your pet has plenty of food and water, as well as toys to keep them occupied. You might have little background music, or play Dog TV, a new TV show for dogs that brings them through phases of stimulation and relaxation. This way there’s less stress for the animals.”
Go on day trips. If possible, you could take your pet out with you when the home is being shown. “When our home was for sale, I’d take our dog Rusty in the car and go play Frisbee,” said Dr. Dodman. This can even work for cats, who often don’t seem to like the car. The doctor explained that this is because they associate it with going to the vet. “You can desensitize your pet to going in the car by taking them out for small trips and going someplace fun, giving them treats, and then coming back. This is a process that requires consistency, but it can work.”
Get plenty of exercise. “Increasing exercise is another stabilizing measure for dogs,” explained Dr. Dodman. “You might try this on the days leading up to home showings. “Exercise generates serotonin in the brain, which actually has as powerful a calming effect as Prozac.”
Give healthy foods. “We believe that some animals react to colorings and preservatives that are commonly used in pet foods,” Dr. Dodman explained. “Giving your pet maintenance-level protein diets can be very helpful.
Provide clear communication. Many training programs use one-word commands so your pet knows what to expect. For example, Rusty knows the difference between “wanna go to the park?” and a slight hand signal combined with “see ya” and responds appropriately. A well-trained dog is often a less stressed dog.
Keeping pets safe and happy during a move
Once you start planning your more, you may also want to take some extra steps to make the transition easier on your pets.
Travel safely. One big question for a long-distance move is whether or not to medicate your pet to ease anxiety, especially if they’re traveling by plane. “If your animal is uneasy or has motion sickness, some sort of treatment is in order,” says Dr. Dodman. “However, many vets only use one medication called Acepromazine, yet this sedative is very bad for short-nosed dogs. It can actually affect the cardiovascular system and even cause death. Today, there are more sophisticated ways of treating pets using medications such as buspirone, the anti-nausea drug Cerenia, or even Dramamine.”
Also, Dr. Dodman advises pet owners to research airlines and see whether your dog or cat can travel with you in the cabin. Unfortunately this is usually an option reserved for cats and small dogs. “Personally I wouldn’t put my dog into the hold of a plane. It’s much too stressful.”
Start slowly. Dr. Dodman advises pet owners to introduce their dog or cat to a new home gradually, if possible. “Cats are pretty territorial,” he explained, “so it’s helpful to introduce them to a new place slowly if you can. If you’re moving to someplace nearby, you might take some exploratory excursions and then go back home. If the cat is comfortable walking on a harness, you could walk them around the edge of the property and the side of the house so they can get used to the smells. Perhaps give them a few treats while they’re there so they associate it as a place that’s fun.”
Keep your cats indoors. Dr. Dodman reminds us all cats should be indoor cats. “The life expectancy of an outdoor cat is four years, compared to 14 years for an indoor cat. Cats can be happy indoors, if you enrich their environment with fun things to play with.”
Give your pets extra attention. “Bring along your pet’s bed and favorite toys to the new home, and show them where their food and water are. Make their new environment fun, with plenty of exercise and attention. This could mean sharing extra treats or throwing a tennis ball. Some pets may initially hide or sulk, but with time, patience, and treats, they’ll usually come around. During this time, it’s important to reward them for brave behavior and give lots of praise. Don’t ever force it. Allow them to gradually ease into the new home.”
Reprinted from my MetroWest Daily News column in Metrowest Homes, a real estate resource for residents of Dover, Holliston, Hopkinton, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough, Weston & beyond.
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