Moving House: How Animals Navigate New Spaces

Moving house is undoubtedly a lot of work. Coordinating packing, transporting, paperwork, unpacking, getting settled is a huge change for humans and a bigger one for animals. Animals often communicate that while humans can intuitively understand some challenges, there are many aspects humans are not built to comprehend. We simply do not have the faculties! So, five lesser known nuances of moving that animals point out are: 

1. Space- You know you are moving into a house with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a balcony. Your animal has just been brought to an unfamiliar space, unknown layout and hopefully, unmarked territory. It all feels daunting. And animals will say it: Alma, a cat who wanted to ease into her new house, showed me my cosy corner I called “my nook” and asked that her human create her a nook where she could feel safe as both of them settled in. 

2. Sounds and Sensations- Lou Lou, a rescue dog, who likely encountered elevators for the first time, was unimpressed: “Picture yourself experiencing an earthquake. That is how an elevator ride feels.” (She also shared various ways to make it easier, detailed in my upcoming book!)

Similarly, a washing machine running upstairs, neighbours walking down the hallway, kids playing, are routine but unnerving for the animal whose hearing is far superior to us. Accompanying these sounds are sensations, some so subtle that humans are unimpacted. However, given their novelty, unpredictability and intensity, these sounds and sensations alarm animals. So if your animal seems on guard or restless, listen to the surroundings.

3. Competitors- New house with a pet’s forgotten toy, water bowl, blanket left behind- wow! That’s competition, except this creature is not there or are they? Are they in some room, balled up in a crevice, inside a cupboard, under the carpet you just laid out? Must inspect every inch! 

While our brain would brand an old rag, forgotten slippers, leftover packing material,  as ‘new house smells’, animals absolutely need to inspect it all- like a safety assessment.  

Fortunately, all this stimulation tires animals out. A spent kitty wanting to curl up in her new bed is not a bad thing!

4. Neighbours & visitors- Things likely only your animal noticed and is worked up about: A cat has access to your balcony. A neighbour’s dog peering over the fence or whimpering on the other side of the wall. An inquisitive squirrel. All matters deserving attention and potential action! While your visitors come pre-announced and in good faith, animals must determine that- and yes, it includes new humans. It is a natural response. So if you see your animal uneasy but cannot figure out what’s going on, there could be surprise guests!

5. Potential mates- It’s a crisp sunny day, a gentle breeze wafts in, as your pet and you are enjoying your new space and now they are activated! For in wafts the smell of extra special urine, covering great distances to land on your pet’s nose and get them excited. This potential mate’s urine laden with pheromones has wandered far and wide to un-subtly relay the message that she is ready. 

And now your cat or dog is busy. They are employing multiple faculties- their nose and the vomeronasal organ, located in the roof of their mouth- to detect chemical signals, including potential mates. (Being neutered makes a difference.) So that flurry of activity has a reason. 

Overall if your animal seems just not at ease, these are a few less obvious explanations that can help you understand their experience navigating this new space.

This piece comes to you with my labour, love, joy of writing and no AI. Enjoy!

Moving house or having trouble settling in? Communicate with your animal, your new space or attend a workshop!