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Bringing home a new pet can change your life. As a new member of your family, it is your job to ensure his health and safety. If you have to downsize or move, your pet becomes a significant consideration, like any member of your family. This guide can help you downsize easily, from start to finish.
Find Your Ideal Home
What is your ideal home? Your vision of home should include all of the elements of your life. Think about the environment you want. Do you need a smaller space? Do you want to keep your mortgage payment under a certain amount?
When you purchase a home, lenders calculate your debt-to-income ratio. The debt-to-income ratio determines how much you can pay every month. To calculate the ratio, add your existing debt obligations and divide it by your gross monthly income.
Think about what your pet needs. When you first brought your puppy home, you had to consider how well he would fit into your lifestyle. Different dog breeds may have different needs for your new home. For example, when living in a smaller house or condo, a small dog like a Yorkie is ideal. Pets may also need pet-friendly furniture or tiling instead of carpet in the new home. The tile is easier to clean and does not absorb odors.
Change Your Routine Ahead of Time
Dogs are habitual creatures. They may eat, play and sleep at the same time every day. When you move, a dog’s routine naturally changes. Try to introduce the routine change early. For example, if your work schedule will change when you reach the new location, practice leaving your old home for a few hours each day. You may want to reintroduce or begin to crate train your dog. According to the experts, it helps introduce your dog to the home in advance. Allow him to become familiar with the environment.
Prep Your Home for Sale
If you need to prepare your home for sale, start with decluttering. If you have trouble letting items go, consider downsizing with the help of a thrift store. You can donate the items to others. When it comes to your pet, try to downsize any toys he doesn’t use. Likewise, toss out any broken toys.
If your home doesn’t have curb appeal, buyers may never enter. Work with a local lawn care service to regularly mow and maintain your yard. Before choosing a company, it’s a good idea to look over ratings and reviews from prior customers.
To prep your home, you may need to make minor repairs. If you have cracked floors or counters, you may be able to increase the value of your home through the repairs. You may not want your pet to be in the home when showing the house. Consider a pet sitter when you have strangers in the place.
Create a Safe Transition
The act of moving may cause stress in your dog. Try to introduce boxes slowly. Bring moving supplies into the home to desensitize your furry friend. As you approach moving day, keep your routine the same to keep from alarming the pet. Puzzle toys provide enrichment and help keep your dog occupied while you pack.
During the move, keep your pets secure. Your pets should stay contained to decrease the risk of a runaway pup. The stress and open doors can lead to losing your pet. Make sure you update your pet’s microchip ahead of time.
As you prepare for your move, include your pet’s needs in the overall moving checklist. While you know what to expect with the stress of a move, your pet needs your guidance to feel safe and secure.
If you’re moving to a new Indianapolis-area home, start your search with The Indy Property Source! 317-886-8477