Moving with Pets in Cyprus: Stress-Free Tips

Two weeks before

• Visit your vet for an up-to-date vaccination record and a health certificate if you're moving abroad.
• Start leaving the travel crate in the living room with treats inside — they need to associate it with good things, not the move.
• Refresh microchip details with your new address.

The day before

• Don't bath your dog or cat — it raises their stress.
• Tire dogs out with a long walk. A tired dog is a calm passenger.
• Cats: confine them to one already-packed room with food, water and a litter tray. Tell the movers not to open that door.

Move day

• Transport pets in your own car, never in the moving van.
• Use a Feliway spray for cats — it really does calm them.
• Bring water for the journey. Cyprus heat dehydrates pets fast.

The new home

• Set up one "safe room" with familiar bedding, toys and bowls before letting them explore.
• Keep cats indoors for at least 2 weeks before letting them outside — they will try to walk back to the old place.
• Dogs: walk the new neighbourhood with them on leash for the first week so they map the smells.

Hot weather warning

Never leave a pet in a parked car in Cyprus, even in spring. Interior temperatures hit 50°C in minutes.