Anxiety in pets: how does moving impact your animals?

Moving is stressful — moving with pets is downright overwhelming. We’re here to help.

Maybe you’re second-guessing your decision to sell your home if you own pets, perhaps questioning whether the timing is right or fretting over the logistics. The last thing you want to do is cause your pet any anxiety by getting your home show-ready, catering to open houses or disrupting their routine.

So, what causes anxiety in pets and what can we do to prevent it? Let’s pin down the basics and illustrate how Offerpad offers the best way forward when it comes to selling a home with pets.

Understanding pet anxiety

Have you ever been welcomed home by your pets with a mess to clean up? Maybe the garbage can is toppled over, perhaps your couch cushions have been destroyed, or your favorite pair of shoes have been chewed to bits. Ah, the simple joys of pet ownership — we’ve all been there.

Of course, there’s no such thing as a ‘bad dog’, the real culprit behind this destructive behavior is typically anxiety. That’s right — your pets might feel anxious when you’re away and don’t have the ability to work through those feelings with a therapist. Occasionally, anxiety manifests into negative behavior, causing pets to be destructive, withdrawn or aggressive. Recognizing what triggers anxiety in our four-legged friends is key to preventing it from occurring — or getting out of hand.

Anxiety is largely attributed to a fear of the ‘unknown’. The reason pets throw a fit when we take them to the vet is because there are so many unfamiliar variables: we pull them out of the safety of their home, cart them around in carriers, and then drop them in front of strangers wielding all sorts of scary-looking medical devices. Sounds like a bad dream, doesn’t it? It’s a lot for anyone to take on — not just a dog or cat.

Here’s a list of common triggers for anxiety in pets:

• Loud noises
• Separation from the owner
• Unknown people — especially children
• Unknown environments
• Other pets/animals

These triggers stem from the unknown. Your dog isn’t used to hearing fireworks — the noise makes them anxious. Your cat isn’t used to being around children — they might make your pets feel anxious.

The traditional way of selling your home is sort of the perfect storm for pet anxiety — virtually every trigger from the above list is something your furry friend will encounter. The same can’t be said when selling your home to Offerpad. Obviously, whether we’re talking pets or people, life is full of unknowns — there’s no way to prevent anxiety from happening altogether, but there’s plenty of things you can do to handle it when things bubble up.

Tips for preventing anxiety in pets when selling your home

1. Simply put, Offerpad provides a better solution to selling your home with pets. We operate around your schedule and let you choose your own closing date — there’s no need to disrupt your pets and their routines. You’ll spend less time away from home while completing the transaction — important documents can be signed online, saving you loads of time. Selling to Offerpad also puts an end to open houses — no more strangers filing into your personal space, forcing your pets out of the home or confined to a crate. Moving locally? Offerpad even provides a free move, giving you and that friend with a truck one less thing to worry about in the course of your move. That’s just the beginning as far as seller benefits
2. Want to help your pet adjust to their new environment? If you already have access to your next home, leave a piece of clothing behind and bring it back to your pet — the scent will help them slowly acclimate. If you don’t already have a new place locked down, we can help; Offerpad also streamlines the home buying process, allowing consumers to buy directly from us. Download our Instant Access mobile app, check out our available homes online, or call us to discuss your options. We’re always here to help!
3. Stick to your regular routine as much as possible. If you’re used to getting up early in the morning for a walk, try to keep that a priority. Little things like this go a long way when making a big transition with your pet. Ensuring your little friend still enjoys regular exercise can help reduce their susceptibility to anxiety. Selling through Offerpad means no open houses, i.e. fewer disruptions.
4. Avoid boxing away their familiar toys and beds until the end of your move. There may be a lot of commotion in your home, getting things prepped for the moving trucks — make sure it still feels like home to your pets. Leave out a favorite toy or piece of furniture where they like to sleep. Choose your own close date with us and you’ll know exactly when to get things moving.
5. Give them your time — nothing beats a little one on one time with mom or dad. Take some time to decompress with your pet after a long day and take a cat nap, throw the ball around, whatever you both feel like doing. Selling your home to Offerpad can save loads of time, make sure you can devote as much as possible to your pet.

As animal lovers ourselves, the Offerpad team wants to make the transition to your next home as seamless as possible for you and your pets. Selling a home with pets can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Request a free offer on your home and take the first step toward moving freely — your pets will thank you.