For people, moving can be one of the most stressful realities of life, but did you know that pets feel the stress of moving, too?

“Many dogs and cats face big challenges during a move,” Dr. Pat Pryor, general manager of behaviour and animal welfare for the BC SPCA, tells The Province newspaper.

Pryor says pets who are not introduced properly to a new home may begin house-soiling or damaging the furniture, and in worse-case circumstances run away or get lost.

Any new home should be assessed for potential hazards such as household pesticides, sharp objects and places where a pet could hide and become trapped. And simple techniques such as using the same food bowl and type of food, treats, toys and bed from one house to the next can save guardians a world of heartache.

Other considerations:

For cats

• Leading up to the move, isolate the cat in a quiet room away from the noise and chaos of the moving activities. The room should have a litterbox, toys and all the other essentials to which the cat is accustomed.

• Put the pet carrier that will eventually be used to transport the cat to his new home in the room; entice the cat inside for short periods and reward him with treats.

• Place old T-shirts or other cloth items next to where the cat sleeps; the material will absorb the cat’s scent. The day of the move, gather the fabrics and put them in a sealed Ziploc bag. In the new home, empty the clothes next to the cat’s sleeping area.

• At the new home, seclude the cat to one room with his bed, litterbox, food and toys. Gradually introduce him to the house over the next few days. If moving from a single-level to a two-level home, ensure the cat is aware of both levels.

• Reassure the cat by spending lots of quality time with him after the move.

For dogs

• Bring your dog to the new house for the first time on leash and take him directly to the area where you want him to urinate. When he eliminates, respond with praise. Wait a couple of hours or so and then return to the same spot, rewarding him for elimination in the same fashion.

• Take him inside the house on-leash and allow him to explore with his nose. Make sure he is safe on floor surfaces and stairs. If he’s used to carpet, take it slowly on slippery hardwood, laminate and linoleum.

The Monty Fund for Community Education & Outreach supports our pet care resources and other educational community initiatives. Your support of the Monty Fund allows us to improve the welfare of animals throughout B.C. Please donate today.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.