When Pets Move House: A Tale of Extroverts and Introverts
Moving to a new home presents challenges for everyone involved, but perhaps none more visibly than our beloved pets. A recent viral TikTok video by user @abi.and.their.thoughts perfectly captured the stark contrast in how different animals adjust to new surroundings, providing both comic relief and valuable insights for pet owners facing similar transitions. The video, which has amassed over 1.6 million views, follows the owner’s Jack Russell Chihuahua mix and cats as they experience their first moments in a new apartment—with dramatically different reactions that many viewers described as the perfect illustration of “extroverts vs introverts.”
The small dog’s response was nothing short of euphoric. Bounding through the empty rooms with unbridled enthusiasm, tail wagging furiously, the pup seemed to view the move as the most exciting adventure imaginable. Her energy was so overwhelming that her owner could barely keep up, pleading with the excitable canine to “please stop for a moment” as she zoomed from room to room with what appeared to be a giant smile plastered across her face. The dog’s joyful exploration suggested she saw only possibilities in the new space—more room to play, new corners to investigate, and fresh territories to claim as her own. However, as the owner later revealed in the comments, this excitement eventually led to an unfortunate incident where the dog became so overstimulated that she vomited in the only carpeted room of the apartment—a reminder that even positive stress can sometimes be too much for our four-legged friends.
In stark contrast to the dog’s exuberance, the owner’s cat, Charlotte, wanted absolutely nothing to do with the new surroundings. The video showed her firmly wedged at the back of her carrier, refusing to emerge despite encouragement. According to the owner’s comments, this behavior was particularly surprising because Charlotte had never shown anxiety during previous moves. This time, however, was different—she remained hidden in her carrier throughout the entire day, only venturing out briefly during the night before retreating to a closet where, in another unexpected twist, she sought comfort with the household’s other cat. This development particularly surprised the owner, who noted that the two felines had “hated each other” prior to the move, suggesting that shared stress can sometimes forge unlikely alliances among pets.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) offers valuable guidance for helping pets adjust to new homes, emphasizing that the approach showcased in the viral video—letting animals explore freely—might not be ideal. Instead, they recommend a gradual introduction to the new environment, beginning with a single “home base” room containing familiar items like toys, treats, and food bowls. This controlled approach helps prevent the overwhelming sensory experience that can trigger anxiety or, as in the case of the enthusiastic dog, physical symptoms of stress. Once pets appear comfortable in their initial space, owners can slowly introduce them to additional rooms while keeping other areas closed off. For cats specifically, the ASPCA suggests relocating litter boxes to their permanent positions incrementally, moving them approximately one foot per day to avoid confusion and accidents.
The video’s comment section became a gathering place for pet owners to share their own experiences and observations about animal personalities. Many viewers found the contrast between the two pets hilariously relatable, with one commenter joking that the dog’s attitude seemed to be, “There’s so much more room for activities! You should’ve got rid of everything sooner!” while another noted that the dog appeared to be “on a loop” of excitement. Cat owners particularly empathized with Charlotte’s reluctance, with one viewer sympathetically observing that “Kitty needs 5-10 business days” to process the change—a humorous reference to standard shipping terms that perfectly captured the methodical, cautious nature many cats display when confronting change. The widespread engagement with the video highlights how pet behavior serves as a mirror for human personalities, with many viewers seeing themselves in either the adventurous dog or the cautious cat.
What makes this glimpse into pet adjustment so valuable is not just its entertainment value but its reminder of the importance of understanding and accommodating our animals’ individual temperaments during times of change. The unexpected friendship that developed between previously antagonistic cats demonstrates how environmental shifts can alter established dynamics, while the dog’s physical reaction to excitement serves as a caution against allowing too much stimulation too quickly. As millions of households relocate each year, often with beloved pets in tow, this viral moment offers both comic relief and practical insights. It reminds us that whether our companions respond with boundless enthusiasm or hesitant withdrawal, the key to a successful transition lies in patience, attentiveness to their needs, and recognition that, just like humans, each animal processes change in their own unique way and at their own particular pace.
