Moving house can be a stressful time at the best of times, so much to do and often the challenge of a new home, job, school, etc can be a little daunting. So for your smaller family members, particularly cats, the stress can have a greater impact.
Preparing the move for a pet is just as important as preparing yourself for the move, especially as your pets won’t understand why the world they know is being packed up into boxes and set down in a new, unfamiliar location.
To make the transition as easy as possible for your pet, our team of professional movers at Real Estate Movers has put together a list tips that will keep your pet as comfortable as possible during the move.
Packing
If you’re a pet owner who’s ever packed so much as a duffel bag for a weekend away, you’ll know how dogs and cats will watch your every move. Companion animals can detect changes in their environment, and are attuned to signs that their humans might be leaving them.
While packing up an entire house, it’s best to reassure pets by keeping their routines as normal as possible. Continue to feed and walk them at the same time as usual, and make sure they have some of their favorite toys and treats around.
Put together an overnight kit
Just as you have likely set aside some essentials for yourself to have readily available on your first night, it’s important to do the same for your pet. Apart from food and food bowls, consider other items that will make your pet feel comfortable like:
- Toys
- Kitty litter and litter box
- Blankets
- Treats
Update your pet’s information
One of the most likely times for a pet to become lost is during or just after a move. Take the time to update the information on his or her collar, ID tag, and microchip so that they all reflect your new address and telephone number.
Moving day
When it’s time to move, we recommend keeping your pets with you wherever possible, rather than boarding them at a kennel or cattery.
When movers will come, they will be going through the house, so it is better to restrict pets to a closed room. Crates can also be helpful, both as a safe space an animal can go to if stressed, and as a way to securely transport them.
Be careful when transporting your pet
The best way to move your pet is to keep your pet with you. Make sure that the area your pet will be in is free of debris and of hazards like falling boxes.
If you’ll be making stops along the way, your pet should be in a cage, in a crate, or on a leash. Otherwise your pet may bolt and become lost.
Need help moving house Calgary? The Real Estate Movers team is happy to help. We invite you to contact us online or call +1 (403) 991 – 0369 today for advice and to receive a free, no-obligation quote.