Moving is stressful—anyone who’s ever done it (and that’s nearly everyone) can tell you that.
But how do our pets feel about it?
It turns out that pets are just as prone to moving-day (and pre-moving-day) stress as we are.

Moving With Pets: What to Know Before You Go

ASPCA President Larry Hawk, D.V.M. says, “Moving is very stressful for a family. That stress is also experienced by the pets. They want to know that they’re part of the family and that they’ll be going, too.”
Before you move, know that dogs and cats react differently. (If you’re moving with fish, here’s how you can make the move easier.)
Because dogs tend to be more socialized, they seem to adapt better to change. Cats, on the other hand, are more focused on their immediate surroundings; they thrive on consistency, whereas dogs can bounce back and readjust… as long as you’re with them.

Tips for Moving With Cats

Now is the time to get your cat familiar with his or her carrier. Leave it open where your cat can examine it each day. Ideally, your cat will be able to hide in it when he or she feels stressed.
Make sure that when you do move, your cat is confined to a hard-sided carrier. (The same is true with other small animals, such as birds, rabbits, ferrets and hamsters.) If possible, cover the carrier with a light sheet for the first few hours of the trip.
“Cats get a little freaked out when they see the world moving by,” says Arnold Plotnick, D.V.M.

Tips for Moving With Dogs

Make sure your dog is restrained when you move—for your safety and for his. If your dog is disoriented, he may bolt when you stop for gas or to stretch your legs; further, he or she will be safer in case something happens.

On Moving Day

Make sure your pets are confined to one room on moving day. All the activity can be overwhelming—and you want to keep them as calm as possible before and during the trip.
Bring along a separate bag for your pet that includes water, treats, and food. You’ll also need a pet first aid kit, some extra towels (in case of accidents), and extra ID tags attached to your pet’s collar.
 

Are You Buying a Home in Port Aransas or North Padre Island?

Whether you’re looking for a home for sale in Port Aransas orNorth Padre Island, we’d love to help you find the perfect place to live.
Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll start searching right away.
In the meantime, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more)

Filed under: Blog, How-To, Moving by Julie Woodward
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If you’re buying a new home in Port Aransas (or if you’ve just sold yours) and you have an aquarium, you’re probably not exactly sure how to move your fish.
Even you’ve moved with fish before, it can be a bit tricky—and if you’re not careful, you could end up losing more than a few.
So how do you move with fish?

How to Move With Fish

Whether you’re moving just a few minutes up the street or you’re making a cross-country trek, you need to know how to keep your fish safe during the journey. (Many experts will tell you that if you’re moving more than a couple of hours from Port Aransas, you should sell your fish to someone close by who can care for them; it may just be easier to get new fish when you get to your destination.)
Ideally, you’ll keep your fish in a sealed container with ample oxygen. Fish can only survive for a couple of hours in a plastic bag half-full of air (like those you get from the pet store), so if you can, use a sealed cooler that helps keep the water temperature stable.
Moving is extremely stressful for fish, so keeping their environment as stable as you can is essential.

Preserving Your Fish’s Health

Every healthy fish tank has a colony of bacteria living in it. However, without a steady supply of oxygen, those bacteria begin to die within a few hours.
In order to preserve your bacteria colony, you must keep original tank water aerated while you’re moving. You may want to invest in a bacterial additive to accelerate your tank’s cycling, as well.

Are You Buying a Home in Port Aransas or North Padre Island?

Whether you’re looking for a home for sale in Port Aransas orNorth Padre Island, we’d love to help you find the perfect place to live.
Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll start searching right away.
In the meantime, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more)

Filed under: Blog, Buying, Moving by Julie Woodward
No Comments »