Author: Hanne Geys
Change is exciting: How to help your pet settle into a new situation
A house move, a new baby, a new partner, another pet, home improvements or simply a change to your daily routine. For you, it may be an exciting new step. For your dog or cat, however, that same change can mean, above all, that their familiar world suddenly becomes a lot less predictable.
And it is precisely that predictability that plays a key role in pets’ wellbeing. Changes in the environment, for example, are among the potential causes of stress in cats. New places and changes to the daily routine can also cause anxiety in dogs.
Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you have to avoid change. It does mean, however, that you can help your pet get used to it at their own pace.
Why can change cause stress in a pet?
Dogs and cats are constantly learning what to expect from their surroundings. Where is the food bowl? When do we go for a walk? Where can I sleep peacefully? Which sounds are normal? Who is part of the family?
When several of these familiar elements change at once, your pet suddenly has a lot of new information to process. An environment that is perceived as unpredictable or threatening can trigger a stress response. An environment in which the animal has opportunities to retreat and make its own choices can contribute to greater wellbeing.
This also explains why two pets can react completely differently to exactly the same event. One pet explores a new home as if it has lived there for years. The other prefers to spend the first few hours under a chair.
Both reactions tell you something about what that individual pet needs at that moment.
"An environment that is perceived as unpredictable or threatening can trigger a stress response."
How can you tell if your dog or cat is struggling to cope with change?
Stress isn’t always easy to spot. It often starts with small changes in behaviour. With a dog, for example, you might notice that it is panting more, pacing, licking its lips, eating less, trying to keep its distance or finding it harder to settle down. Some signs can be very subtle. In cats, stress can manifest itself in changes to eating habits, hiding more often, changes relating to the litter tray, spraying, aggressive behaviour or excessive grooming.
Not every one of these behaviours automatically means that stress is the cause, but a clear change in behaviour does warrant attention. It is therefore particularly important to observe your pet and what is normal for them.
How can you help a pet settle into a new situation?
There is no set timeframe within which every animal must get used to a change. There are significant individual differences. You can, however, make the transition easier by maintaining a sense of security and predictability as much as possible.
1. Prepare for changes where possible
Do you know in advance that something is going to change? Make the most of that. For example, if a dog suddenly has to be walked on a lead more often after a move, you can gradually get them used to this even before the move. Will your pet be faced with new noises or a different daily routine? You can sometimes introduce these changes step by step too.
Try to identify potential changes in advance and, where possible, introduce new experiences in a positive way. The fewer surprises at once, the smoother the transition.
2. Maintain familiar routines
Amidst all the changes, familiar moments are precious. Try to keep key parts of the day as recognisable as possible:
• Mealtimes at (roughly) the same times
• Familiar walks and rest periods
• Familiar beds, blankets and toys
• A similar evening routine
• Plenty of times when your pet can rest undisturbed
For dogs, maintaining a reasonably consistent daily routine can make adapting to a new home easier.
So you don’t need to organise everything exactly to the minute. The main thing is to create a world that your pet can once again understand and predict.
3. Give your pet a safe space
A pet doesn’t need to be in the thick of all the hustle and bustle all the time. A quiet space is particularly important during a move, renovation, party or other major change. Think of a familiar bed in a quiet room for your dog, or a peaceful space with hiding places and essential amenities for your cat.
For cats, animal welfare organisations explicitly recommend providing a quiet, safe space first when moving to a new home. Familiar smells, a trusted blanket, a scratching post and places to hide can help whilst they settle in.
A safe space works best when it actually remains safe. So leave your pet in peace as much as possible when it retreats there.
4. Let your pet explore on its own
You may be keen to introduce your dog or cat to the new living room, a new housemate or a new environment. But faster isn’t necessarily better.
Give your pet the chance to take in their surroundings and then step back. For example, if a cat hides, there’s no need to pull it out from under the sofa to show that everything is fine. Freedom of choice is key here.
Can your pet come closer and then step back again? This gives it more control over the situation.
5. Make new experiences positive
When your pet is relaxed enough to learn, you can link a new situation to something pleasant.
For example:
• A gentle game in the new environment
• A familiar activity
• Food or a suitable treat
• Sniffing around and exploring
• Calm attention when your pet asks for it
With dogs, positive experiences and reward-based training are also used to gradually familiarise them with new environments and situations.
It’s important to note that a reward is not a way of forcing your pet through their fear. If your pet is clearly overwhelmed, the situation must first be made simpler or less intense.
How long does it take for a pet to settle in?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this. Some dogs seem to be completely back to their old selves after just a few days. Other animals need considerably more time. Even for cats, adjusting to a new environment can take several weeks. It’s therefore better to look at their behaviour rather than the calendar.
Do you notice that your pet:
• Is becoming more adventurous?
• Is eating and drinking normally?
• Is getting enough rest?
• Is showing an interest in play or interaction again?
• Has gradually resumed its usual daily behaviour?
If so, these are usually positive signs.
When should you seek professional help?
A change can cause temporary stress. However, if behaviour changes significantly, persists or affects your pet’s wellbeing, it is wise to look into the matter further.
Behavioural changes can have not only behavioural but also medical causes. That is why, in the event of new or noticeable symptoms, it is important to rule out any medical issues with your vet.
If the issue appears to be mainly anxiety, stress or other problem behaviour, a qualified behaviourist can help to investigate why your dog or cat is reacting in this way and which approach is best suited to that particular animal and situation.
At Pettherapy.be, we do not start with a one-size-fits-all solution. Our approach is individualised and scientifically grounded, taking into account both your pet’s behaviour and its living environment.
Please feel free to contact us for more information!
Hanne Geys is an online marketeer and copywriter at Thys Communicatie.
Sources
• Pettherapy.be, information about Evie Van Hove, working method, expertise and behavioural therapy for dogs and cats: https://huisdierentherapie.be/nl/home/
• AAFP & ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines, scientific guidelines on the environment, wellbeing and stress in cats: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23422366/
• Amat et al., Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, a review of stress in domestic cats and possible behavioural changes: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26101238/
• Stella & Croney, Veterinary Clinics of North America, scientific publication on stress, control and environmental adaptation in cats: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32354488/
• Cats Protection, Guidelines for cats getting used to a new home and using a safe space: https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/home-and-environment/bringing-a-cat-home
• VCA Animal Hospitals, veterinary behavioural advice on moving house with dogs, routines and gradual acclimatisation: https://vcahospitals.com/santa-margarita/know-your-pet/moving-with-your-dog
• Blue Cross, information on signs of stress and changes in routine in dogs: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/behaviour-and-training/stress-in-dogs
