By Donna Graziano | Featuring Gus, Chief Sniff Inspector
A new home means new adventures—for you and your pets. There are trails to explore, windows to supervise, and approximately 400 boxes standing where the dog bed belongs.
Gus and I know that moving with pets takes a little extra planning. Whether you’re buying or selling, here are five ways to help everyone adjust—humans included.
1. Buy for the whole household—including the paws.
What should pet owners look for when buying a home? Consider usable outdoor space, fencing, stairs, flooring, nearby veterinary care, and neighborhood or HOA pet rules.
That beautiful yard deserves a closer look: Is it securely fenced? Can your older dog manage the steps? Gus recommends checking the sunbeam situation, too. Apparently, that’s a priority feature.
2. Give pets their own showing-day plan.
How do you prepare a home for showings when you have pets? Clean pet areas, address odors, repair visible damage, and arrange a safe place for pets away from visitors whenever possible.
Buyers need room to picture themselves living there. Your dog may feel they need a personally escorted tour. A familiar caregiver or comfortable outing can make showing time easier for everyone.
3. Keep their routine—even when yours is in a box.
How can you help pets adjust during a move? Keep meals, walks, and bedtime as consistent as possible, and leave familiar beds, toys, and blankets accessible.
We adjust our schedules to help them adjust to the changes. Their favorite blanket may not match your staging, but it still smells like home. Pack it last and unpack it first—preferably before you begin searching for the coffee maker.
4. Make moving day safe and settling in gradual.
What is the best way to introduce pets to a new home? Keep them secure during loading and unloading, update their identification and microchip details, and begin with a quiet space containing familiar belongings.
Let them explore gradually and supervise outdoor time while checking gates and boundaries. You may understand that this is home now. Your pet may need a little more evidence—and several inspections of the same corner.
5. Let the next adventure happen at their pace.
How long does it take pets to settle into a new home? Every pet is different. Give them time, maintain familiar routines, and introduce new walks and surroundings gradually.
Some pets immediately claim the couch. Others need reassurance before exploring. Adjust your expectations along with their routine, and contact your veterinarian if changes in appetite, behavior, or anxiety persist.
Soon enough, the unfamiliar path becomes the favorite walk—and the new window becomes neighborhood watch headquarters.
Planning your next move in the Poconos or NEPA?
Let’s find a home that fits your life, your next adventure, and the paws coming along.
Donna Graziano
Realtor® | Coldwell Banker Town & Country Properties
With Gus, Chief Sniff Inspector
donnagrazianorealtor.com
New home. New adventures. Same favorite walking buddy.
