Home Is Where My Human Is: Helping Your Pet Settle In After an International MoveIntroduction:

Relocating with pets doesn’t end at customs clearance and crate unpacking. For them, it’s not just a change in address — it’s a full-on shift in scent, space, climate, and routine.

At Pawsome Friends Relocation, we’ve seen it firsthand: the tail-wagging excitement one day… and the confused, anxious sniffing the next.This blog is about what happens after the flight lands — and how to help your pet truly settle into their new life.

Why Adjustment Matters (Even for “Easy” Pets)

Dogs and cats are creatures of routine and territory. When you move them internationally, they lose:

• Familiar smells (home, furniture, you!)

• Their known walking routes or litter spot

• Familiar noises (doorbells, neighbors, traffic patterns)

Even the temperature, daylight hours, and air pressure can feel different — especially when moving from a colder region to a hot one like the UAE.

If your dog suddenly seems withdrawn… If your cat refuses to eat for a day or two… It’s not defiance. It’s disorientation.

Understanding Pet Anxiety After Relocation

Signs your pet might be struggling to adjust:

• Restlessness or pacing

• Refusing food or water

• Excessive barking, howling, or hiding

• Destructive behavior (especially in dogs)

• Sudden clinginess or, for cats, avoidance

These aren’t just behavioral — they’re emotional responses to upheaval.

6 Tips to Help Your Pet Feel “Home” Again

1. Recreate Scent-Based Familiarity

Bring unwashed bedding, toys, or a blanket from your old home. Smell is a huge comfort anchor for both dogs and cats. Place these in your new home before they arrive, so it smells like “them.”

2. Set Up Their Space First

Before you even unpack the human stuff, make sure their bed, food station, litter box, or toy bin is laid out and accessible. Consistency = comfort.

3. Stick to Pre-Move Routines (Even If You’re Tired)

Feed them at the same time. Walk them at the same hour. Use familiar commands. This helps signal: "Yes, everything’s new, but we’re still us."

4. Avoid Overwhelming Socialization Too Soon

We know you want them to meet new neighbors, friends, the local groomer… But give them time. Let them build confidence in their new space first.

5. Explore Together, Slowly

Start with short walks around the block. Let your dog sniff everything. Let your cat watch the outside world from the window. Let them learn the rhythm of their new neighborhood.

6. Use Enrichment to Build Positive Association

Puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, or catnip toys can distract them and release feel-good hormones. Try using relocation-friendly enrichment tools like lick mats (especially for anxious travelers).

Bonus: Consider a Vet Check-Up

Especially if you’ve moved to a climate your pet isn’t used to (e.g., Dubai’s heat).They might need nutritional adjustments, flea/tick protection, or new meds.Also, check that all vaccinations align with your new country’s health regulations.

Why Pawsome Friends Relocation?

At Pawsome Friends, relocation doesn’t stop at the airport. We offer post-arrival care guidance, help with behavior adjustment, and even recommend trusted vets and groomers in your new city.

Because settling in isn't just about logistics. It's about comfort. It's about trust. And for your pet — it’s about knowing their human is still right there.

Final Thought

Relocation is a big deal — for you, and for them. Give your pet the time, space, and support to rebuild their world. They don’t need everything to be perfect. They just need you to be patient, present, and prepared.