Change Is Hard for Everyone

Moving can be stressful. Whether you’re moving down the road or across the country, and whether you’re moving for a new job, to be closer to friends and family, or to get settled in a larger or smaller space, there are so many tasks to check off your list along the way. If you have a dog coming along with you, it should come as no surprise that you’ll need to make additional considerations to keep them safe and happy along the way.

Even if your move is under happy circumstances, adapting to a new situation can be difficult. The very same goes for your dog! Your furry friends become familiar with and even attached to their homes over time. When you move to a new location, they’ll need to re-learn their routines and acclimate to new safe spaces for life to continue on as normal. The good thing is that you and your dog can learn to adapt to these changes together with some easy-to-implement tips.

How to Keep Your Dog Safe and Healthy While Moving

Keep Safe Spaces Intact Before You Move

Staying organized while you move can be difficult! We’ve all been there – after the second or third day of packing, it might look like a tornado hit your home. While you’re packing up, do your best to make sure a few of your dog’s favorite safe spaces stay intact and their favorite toys and comfort items are easy to reach. Don’t use these spaces as staging areas, either – do what you can to leave them alone.

It’s also a good idea to introduce your dog to all of your moving materials ahead of time so they can make a positive connection with them. All those strange boxes can be scary to your dog so you want to make sure they have the chance to sniff them out with lots of positive reinforcement. 

Get Your Travel Plans Set in Stone

Depending on how far you’re moving, you may be driving or you may need to take a plane to reach your destination. Traveling is often the most stressful part of the trip for your dog, so you’ll want to prepare for this part well ahead of time. If you’re taking a road trip, be sure you have your dog’s travel kennel set up with access to fresh water and plenty of comfort items; if they don’t use a travel kennel, ensure you have the right safety harnesses etc. to keep them secure during a long ride. Schedule in adequate time for potty and food breaks along the way.

Taking a flight with your dog is a whole different situation. Your chosen airline will have specific guidelines for how to pack up your dog and bring them with you. Talk to your vet before you embark on your journey, and do everything in your power to make your dog comfortable on this unfamiliar vessel.

Establish a Care Team at Your New Location

You don’t want to wait until disaster strikes to have a vet available for your dog. Before you arrive, research the best vets in your new location and see if they might be available for a phone or online consultation. Additionally, get familiar with the pet laws at your new space. You’ll want to know if you have any different licensing requirements or even breed restrictions in your new region. You should also microchip your dogs if you haven’t already done so, and get adequate identification tags for them.

Routines Are Your Friend

Dogs are creatures of habit, as you probably know by now. They thrive when they have the same routine for their walks, meal times, bedtime routines, and so on. Do your best to stick with that routine even though you’ll be doing it in a different location! It will probably take you some time to lay out your new space, but do your best to set up their feeding space in a similar location to where it was in your old house. 

Walks are particularly important, too. Keep up with your dog’s regular walking schedule and give them the opportunity to explore all the new sights and smells of your new neighborhood. Taking in regular exercise will also help your dog expend extra energy, giving them more motivation to sleep soundly in the evening. Don’t forget to pepper in regular play time for your dog, too – their favorite toys will give them the added benefit of extra comfort!

Don’t Refresh Everything Too Quickly

A fresh start can be so exciting, and it can be very tempting to get all new everything the minute you get situated in your new space. But with your dog already having to put in work to get acclimated to a new environment, you don’t want to force them to get used to a whole new set of smells, as well. Your old furniture can be a source of comfort for your dog, so do what you can keep it around for at least a couple of weeks. If possible, upgrade to new equipment a little bit at a time while your dog gets used to everything.

Act With Patience and Kindness

Moving can be hard on everyone and is absolutely a source of anxiety for your dog. Don’t get upset if you notice your dog falling back into old habits like separation anxiety or chewing. Show your dog lots of affection when they need it, but make sure you’re not presenting any anxious behaviors of your own, or you might reinforce their stress habits. You and your dog can both be sources of love and care for each other as you adjust to this new situation!

Moving Can Be Positive With the Right Preparation

Preparation is helpful in just about every new journey – moving included! Take the time to consider your dog’s needs and emotions along every step of the way and you’ll both be better for it. Be sure to stock up on plenty of healthy treats for the trip and for positive reinforcement when you arrive. Head to our online shop and get your dog’s favorite flavors before you depart!

What Feeding Method is Best for Your Dogs?

Successful dog parenting involves a lot of schedules and routines. You probably have set potty times, walk times, and sleep times. But as far as feeding times go, some pet parents stick to a regular feeding schedule, while others leave a bowl out for their dogs to munch on as they please. Which of these methods is best for your dog? 

The answer to this question depends on a number of factors. First of all, the type of food you feed your dog determines whether you can leave it out all day or not. Obviously, kibble can stay in the bowl without spoiling while fresh foods need to be eaten when they’re offered. For that reason, pets who eat Pawsitively Pure Dog Food need scheduled feeding times. 

Secondly, the best feeding schedule depends on your availability. If you’re out of your home for work for most of the day, it can be difficult to stick to regimented feeding times. Free-feeding can offer you some peace of mind when you’re away from home since you’ll know your dogs have food when they need it. If you work from home or you have the same schedule every day, scheduled feeding times may work for you. 

For the purposes of this article, we’ll be discussing how to feed your dogs on a schedule and to give them a positive environment in which to enjoy their meals. Scheduled feeding offers a number of health benefits as compared to free-feeding, and it’s the right choice when you have your dog on a raw or gently-cooked diet!

The Benefits of Feeding on a Schedule

According to Dr. Jennifer Coates of PetMD, free feeding is the wrong choice for most dogs. A scheduled meal time can offer all of the following benefits: 

Training Benefits

Dogs love routines. If you start a scheduled feeding routine during puppyhood, you’ll be able to coordinate feeding time and potty time since most puppies tend to need to relieve themselves 10-15 minutes after a meal. This is helpful for pet parents since they’ll be able to take their dogs out before accidents happen, and it’s good for the pets themselves since they’ll learn the right times to relieve themselves. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Weight Control

Dogs who free-feed are more prone to obesity than those on a feeding schedule. In her article, Dr. Coates notes that many dogs tend to continue eating or “snacking” past the point of satiation. Just like humans may reach for a bag of chips when they’re bored, some dogs turn to food as comfort when they’re bored. 

Health Monitoring

A lack of appetite can be a sign of illness. When your dog is good about eating at the same time every day, you’ll be able to tell right away when they’re not in the mood to eat. Sure, you can keep an eye on how much food is left in the bowl when you check, but it’s much easier and safer for your dog if you notice it as soon as it happens. 

How to Create a Feeding Schedule for Your Dogs

When you’re creating your dogs’ feeding schedules, there are a number of factors you should consider. 

How Often Should You Feed?

According to VCA Pet Hospitals, you should feed your pets at least twice a day, for breakfast and for dinner. If you have a puppy at home, you may need to increase that to three times a day since they use lots more energy as they grow and play. Furthermore, as your dog progresses into his senior years, you may find that his feeding needs decrease. Pay close attention to your dogs’ activity levels, their age, and their weight when determining how often to feed.

Where Should You Feed Your Dogs? 

Wherever you decide to feed your dog, you should feed them in the same place every single time. Moving your dog’s food bowls around too often can make them nervous and ruin the routine you’re trying to build. We find it’s best to have a dedicated space in our home where our dogs eat, away from the kitchen but near our living space. Lay down floor mats and give them a nice food and water bowl. 

How Much Should You Put in the Bowl?

For the most part, this answer relates back to the factors you considered when determining how many times per day to feed your dog: their activity levels, their age, and their weight/goal weight. Here at Pawsitively Pure, we’re happy to offer our recommendations for the amount of food you should give your dog at each meal. The most important thing to remember is to feed them the same amount consistently, even if they finish the whole meal. 

Do Treats Count as Feeding? 

Treats should never be used to substitute an entire meal, but treats are an important part of your dog’s complete diet. Keep a tally of how often you treat your dogs during the day; these treats go toward your dogs’ overall calorie count. You should be able to adjust your dog’s feeding needs accordingly. 

Feed Your Dog the Best at Each Meal

For your dog to get the most out of their feeding schedule, you should offer them the most nutritious food available to keep them full during the day. Natural, wholesome foods can help give your dog energy and keep them full for longer. Pawsitively Pure Dog Food offers a complete system of natural dog food, treats, and bone broth to keep your dog satiated and healthy. Head to our online shop to pick your dogs’ favorite flavors today!