Adventure awaits! You and your pet are about to embark on a big move, from one province to another or clear across the country.

Long-distance moves require a lot of planning, preparation, and coordination. Especially when you’ve got your fuzzy BFF in tow. Moving with a dog is one thing, and moving with a cat can be another.

In order to keep enthusiasm high and stress levels low for both you and your pets, we’ve got some tips on how to prepare and pull off a long-distance move with your four-legged bestie.

Prepping for the big adventure

Before any packing for your move begins, make it a priority to ensure that your pet is healthy and ready for travel.

On the road (or in the air)

Some long-distance moves will be made easier
by breaking up the journey over the course of a few days

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Moving with pets
complete guide →

Moving with
your cat →

moving with
your dog →

living
with pets →

Sharing a home with pets brings a blend of joy, companionship and responsibility – whether that home is large or small, freehold or condo.

Congratulations on your move! By now, you know that some extra planning helped make it a smooth one for you and your furry friend(s). Now comes the fun part – life in your new home. Life with pets comes with some unique considerations. From shedding to elevator etiquette, Pet Valu's Animal Care Experts share some best practices and tips for living your best life, with pets in tow.

The truth about shedding

Even the most devoted pet lovers would agree that shedding isn’t exactly a perk. One moment, your home is spotless, and the next, fur has taken over. It clings to furniture, covers your clothes, and somehow settles on surfaces your pet hasn’t even touched. Shedding is a natural and necessary process that helps dogs and cats maintain a healthy coat. Some pets shed lightly year-round, while others seem to unleash a fur storm when the seasons change. 

It allows them to remove dead or damaged hair, make room for new growth, and regulate their body temperature. Shedding helps distribute natural skin oils, which keep the coat moisturized and protect against irritation. It can be influenced by factors such as breed, health conditions, diet, stress, and living environment. While some pets shed more than others, all animals with fur experience some level of natural hair loss.

How to minimize shedding

Although shedding cannot be completely stopped, Pet Valu emphasizes that pet owners can take proactive steps to reduce fur loss and maintain their pet’s coat health.

Grooming

Regular grooming is one of the best ways to manage shedding. Brushing and bathing help remove loose fur before it falls onto furniture and clothing. Using the correct grooming tools for your pet’s specific coat type is key. Some pets benefit from daily brushing, while others only need grooming a few times per week. Watch out for changes in skin and coat health during grooming sessions can help detect early signs of problems.

Diet and Hydration

A nutrient-rich diet with omega fatty acids (such as those found in fish oil) can help strengthen hair follicles, reduce excessive shedding, and promote a shinier, healthier coat. Hydration is equally important—well-hydrated skin is less likely to become dry or irritated, which can lead to increased hair loss.

Managing Stress-Related Shedding

Stress can cause pets to shed more than usual. This is because stress triggers the release of hormones that cause sudden hair loss. Many pet owners notice this when taking their pet to the veterinarian, during travel, or in unfamiliar environments. The good news is that stress-induced shedding is usually temporary—once the pet is calm, the excessive shedding stops. To help reduce stress, pet owners can provide a stable routine, a safe and comfortable environment, and positive reinforcement during stressful situations.

Essential cleaning hacks

There is a particular type of chaos that comes with owning a pet. Between shedding, muddy paw prints, and the occasional accident, keeping your space fresh with a pet around takes a little extra effort. With the right habits and tools, you can stay ahead of the mess without spending hours cleaning. We teamed up with Pet Valu to bring you the best pet cleaning hacks, along with expert-approved tips to make cleaning up after your pet as easy as possible.

Maximizing small spaces

If you’ve ever lived in a small space with a pet, you know the struggle is real. Between their toys, bedding and feeding stations, it can sometimes feel like your home belongs more to them than to you. Finding that sweet spot between making your pet feel at home and keeping your space livable isn’t always easy. But don’t worry; here are some tips and clever tricks to help you maximize your space without sacrificing style, comfort or your sanity.

Dedicated Pet Zones

A smart setup keeps your home tidy and your space feeling like yours not just your pet's playground. Set up food and water bowls in a consistent, low-traffic spot near the kitchen, which is ideal for easy refills. Place beds in quiet spots where your pet can relax undisturbed. Keep toys organized in baskets, bins or furniture with built-in storage. Choose options that match your home's aesthetic.

Vertical Space

When floor space is limited, go vertical. Install cat shelves, trees or wall-mounted climbing units to expand their territory. A window hammock is perfect for lounging while keeping the floor clear. Look for pet beds with built-in storage, or consider ottomans and benches that double as cozy pet retreats. These space-saving solutions keep your home looking neat while maximizing every inch.

Take it Outside

The outdoors is your pup's playground! Start by taking short walks, letting them sniff and explore at their own pace. Always bring poop bags to clean up after your pet, along with some treats for rewards or training. Look for nearby parks, walking trails, or pet-friendly stores where your pet can stretch their legs and socialize.

Protect Your Home's Value

While pet-friendly homes can be cozy and welcoming, untreated stains, odours, and excessive fur buildup can lead to long-term damage that may lower the value of your home. Carpets that have absorbed years of pet accidents, scratched hardwood floors, and lingering pet odours can all become costly issues when it’s time to sell or renovate. Here are a few helpful tips:

1. Trim your pet’s nails regularly to reduce scratches on hardwood floors and furniture.
   

2. Seal and protect flooring with a scratch-resistant coating, or choose durable, pet-friendly materials like vinyl, laminate, or tile to minimize wear and tear over time.
   

3. Invest in pet-safe scratch guards for doors and walls to prevent claw marks.
   

4. ​Use washable, stain-resistant paint on walls to make cleaning up pet smudges, dirt, and fur buildup easier.
   

5. ​Invest in furniture covers to prevent fur and dirt from embedding into upholstery. These are easy to wash and swap out when needed.
   

6. ​Ventilate your home regularly to keep pet-related odours from settling into fabrics and walls.

Find your Nearest Pet Valu

More Resources…

Moving with pets
complete guide →

Moving with
your cat →

moving with
your dog→

Long distance
moves →

Cats can be cuddly, charming, and good company. Or whatever they want to be, really. They are not, however, typically described as “cooperative” or “adept at accepting change.”

Moving can be stressful for most pets — and cats in particular — so cat parents need to pay extra attention to how their feline bestie is handling the packing process or acclimating to their new home environment.

When it comes to cats and change, slow and steady is the way to go. Prep for your move well in advance, allowing your cat to gradually accept that some things are going to change while reassuring them that other elements (their food, bed, and routine with you) will remain constant.

Here’s how to keep these creatures of habit happy during a move.

Moving day challenges

Since some cats are escape artists, cat parents need to be escape prevention artists. If you can’t find a friend or family member to care for your cat on moving day, keep your cat behind several layers of security.

This will likely entail keeping them inside a quiet room with a closed door, and potentially even in their carrier. Let your movers know that your cat is there (posting a reminder note is a good idea, too) and ask them not to open the door unless you are present and able to be there to comfort your cat. 

If you can’t find a friend or family member to care for your cat on moving day, keep your cat behind several layers of security.

New home, old routine

Returning to your cat’s regularly scheduled programming as soon as possible will make acclimatizing to their new home easier.  

Returning to your cat’s regularly scheduled programming
as soon as possible will make acclimatizing to their new home easier.  

Find your Nearest Pet Valu

More Resources…

complete guide for
moving with pets →

Moving with
your dog →

Long distance
moves →

living
with pets →

When you sit down to begin planning a home renovation, it can be easy for the costs to add up. No matter the budget you set, you will always end up going over (make sure you add that 10 to 20 percent cushion!), so the more you can save in various costs, the better off you will be. It is possible to renovate your house reasonably affordably if you are willing to invest a little bit more time and effort. Here are a few tips for renovating your home on a budget without sacrificing quality.

Increase Efficiency, Not Size

It is costly to completely redo a room to gain square footage when often the problem is a lack of storage. If you can reorganize and equip the room for maximum utility, you will not need to blow out the walls. It can be expensive to shell out the money to upgrade things like cabinets and shelves, but you will save a lot more by skipping the addition you thought you needed.

If it is vital to increase the size of a room, see if it is possible to remove a wall instead of creating an addition. It will make your house feel brand new and improve flow without costing too much. Make sure to check if the wall you want to remove is load-bearing since those are much more complicated projects to navigate. If it is a non-load-bearing wall, it will be easy to remove, and the cost will be minimal.

Refinish Instead of Replace

Homeowners often get bogged down in their homes looking drab when the problem is just cosmetic. When a part of your home looks old, it can be tempting to rip it all out and start over, but don’t underestimate the effect that refinishing can have on a space. A very easy way to refresh any space is with paint. You can add an accent wall with a fun colour or paint them all for a fresh look. Don’t stop at walls – furniture and cabinets can also be updated easily with a fresh coat of paint.

Other refinishing projects are equally easy and will go a long way in giving your house a new look. A new backsplash in the kitchen is increasingly easy for homeowners to install themselves and looks very stylish. A runner down the hallway or on stairs can hide large marks and give new life to high-traffic areas. Fresh caulking around a tub can go a long way in making your bathroom look new. Old furniture can be spruced up by refinishing the wood or reupholstering the material. The possibilities are endless.

Reuse and Recycle

Just because you are tired of your furniture in one location does not mean it can’t be given new life elsewhere. Some of those old kitchen cabinets can be set up to create a downstairs kitchenette. Knobs and light switches can be easily changed to another location. Even simply rearranging furniture can completely change the look and feel of a room without costing a dime.

If you are willing to put in a little time, you can reap big savings with recycled or lightly used fixtures and other materials. Search online or thrift stores for items at a fraction of home center prices. The caveat if you choose to recycle: many contractors will not work with salvaged items, or homeowner-supplied items in general, because they don’t want to assume the liability if something goes wrong. However, if you are doing most or all of the work yourself, you can find plenty of materials simply by looking around a little bit.

DIY When Possible

Unless you have a strict timeline for your renovation, it is always worth doing at least some of the work yourself. There are plenty of jobs that can be done by the average homeowner, such as demolition, painting, sanding, or insulating. Instead of paying someone to do tasks you can easily do yourself, save money and contribute to your renovation.

Before all else, make sure you have a plan for your renovation. If you are not specific about what you want both with yourself and any contractors, you will end up costing yourself more money by potentially performing renovations that you don’t end up loving.

Source: RE/MAX Canada https://blog.remax.ca/how-to-renovate-a-house-on-the-cheap/?rmxv=1687378628&fbclid=IwAR36N2VinjK4V94edIfxc9SgZ3w6N3U-4Rwte7dm74OdErsTTQ4QPU_HaNI

Embarking on the journey of buying a home is an exhilarating experience. Yet, for those seeking to make the most significant purchase of their lives, it can also feel overwhelming. Buying a home as a single person can be intimidating, but we have some smart tips for single home buyers that will make the process much smoother.

With challenging conditions in the Canadian housing market this year, becoming a homeowner as a solo act can carry more stress from a financial perspective than if you were going in with another person. However, each scenario has distinct advantages. For example, as a single you don’t have to consider another person’s needs and wants when it comes to finding your dream home. This means less compromising. If you work remotely or your job is flexible, as a single person, you can open your search field by looking into different cities or towns, and potentially even different provinces.

If you’re looking at entering the housing market as a solo endeavour, we’re breaking down our top tips for single home buyers, to help you make the most of your purchasing experience.

 Be Aware of Your Financial History

It’s hard enough to qualify for a mortgage on one income. As always, financial history plays a significant role in getting a mortgage from a lender. Before looking at homes for sale, it’s essential to get a stronghold on your credit score, as the higher your score, the more favourable your interest rate. If your score is a little lower than you’d like, you can take steps to improve your score before seeking pre-approval for a mortgage.

When considering your financial history, you may also want to look at your potential financial future. While your mortgage will be based on a few criteria like your credit score and income, remember that living alone in a home with an extra bedroom or basement apartment creates an opportunity for rental income, which can help ease the burden of paying off a mortgage in a single-income household.

Consider Both Your Present and Future Self

As a single person wanting to purchase a home, if you’re focusing on your immediate circumstances and needs, you might consider looking at smaller homes with just one bedroom and enough living space for yourself. However, purchasing a home is a long-term investment, so it’s important to consider your future needs as well. While you may not require a ton of space right now, five or 10 years down the road, you may have a partner or children sharing your home with you, meaning you’ll be needing more space. To get the most out of your home, think about the bigger and longer-range picture before putting in an offer, but prioritize what’s realistic and within your budget.

It’s also important to consider your immediate wants and needs in a home. If you want a house with a hot tub, get the house with a hot tub, providing it’s affordable for you. After all, this is your space, and you should be able to enjoy it fully.

Be As Flexible as Possible 

Above we briefly touched on how flexibility is usually at an all-time high when you’re buying a home as a solo act. Since it is just you, there is more freedom regarding location; therefore, it’s essential to keep your options open. Sure, there may be a specific neighbourhood you’ve been eyeing, but unless you must stay in the same town, solo buyers might be wise to broaden their search and look at other markets. Perhaps your dream home is in another city – you’ll never know unless you give it a shot.

Trust Yourself

Purchasing a home is a significant investment, perhaps one of the largest investments you’ll make in your lifetime. It’s easy to start second-guessing yourself when it’s time to make big decisions. However, the beauty of buying a home for yourself is that the opinions of others don’t matter. When you’re getting ready to make an offer on that house you have your eye on, seek advice rather than approval.

Before making an offer on a home or even starting your house-hunting search, connect with a professional real estate agent and a financial advisor. This way, you can get a good grasp on what you can afford based on your financial history and current income and stay in the know and have first dibs on any homes that come on the market that fit your buying parameters.

Source: remax.ca

Renters across Canada have been struggling with  rising rent costs  and wondering how they will be able to save for a down payment while renting. However, with some money management tricks and modification to your daily living, you can save for a down payment. It might go slowly, but every little bit helps. Here are some tips to save for a down payment while renting.

1. Make a Budget and Stick to It

Making a budget is the easiest way to make your financial goals happen. When you have a plan for where your money is going, it puts the power back in your hands and gives you an idea of how long it will take to save for a down payment.

To make a budget, write down your monthly income. Then, list your monthly expenses, including your savings goal. Your expenses should always be less than your income; otherwise, you are going into debt. Track your spending to ensure your budget is accurate. But the trick is that if you want to save enough for your down payment, you must ensure you stay within budget as much as possible.

2. Get Rid of Your Existing Debt

Qualifying for a mortgage does not end with saving enough for a down payment. Mortgage lenders will also look at your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), the percentage of gross income used to pay minimum monthly debt payments. If you have a high DTI, you are a risk to the lender, who will be less likely to approve you for a mortgage. However, if you work to cut down your existing debt while saving for your down payment, you can get approved for the house you want.

3. Cut Unnecessary Spending

Another way to boost your down payment savings is to cut back on a few luxuries. For example, consider buying groceries and making meals instead of ordering in, working out at home for free instead of paying for a gym membership, or taking public transit. Then, take the money you would have used on those splurges and put it into your savings account for the down payment.

Some people might be willing to sacrifice just about everything to have their house sooner, but most of us would rather not sacrifice our quality of life. Make a line in your budget for fun things like a night out with friends, and ensure you don’t go over budget. Saving for a down payment is not worth sacrificing your mental health.

4. Lower or Eliminate Rent Costs

Your most considerable monthly expense is likely your rent, so an effective way to save for a down payment is to cut your rent costs. Although moving is not fun, it can save you thousands of dollars annually. Renters who work from home can choose a location with a lower cost of living, while those who work in an office can find a cheaper apartment closer to their work, saving them expenses for both housing and transportation. Then, take the difference in your expenses and put it in your savings account for your down payment.

5. Add Extra Income

While cutting expenses is an effective way to create room in your budget to save for a down payment, another way to save is to take on a side hustle. There are many opportunities for part-time work, such as driving for Uber or Skip the Dishes or becoming a tutor. You could also start your own home business cleaning houses, pet sitting and dog walking, or doing yard work. It doesn’t have to be fancy if it earns you extra money for your down payment.

6. Immediately Save Any Bonuses or Gifts

If you receive regular bonuses at work or a tax return each year, these can easily be contributed toward your down payment savings without sacrificing your quality of life. To take it up another notch, ask for down payment contributions in place of gifts for your birthday or Christmas. If you feel you are missing out on fun for yourself, set aside a predetermined percentage or amount to use as you want, and put the rest in savings.

With these tricks, you can save up for a down payment while renting. Set up a savings account dedicated solely to your down payment and watch as your efforts pay off – literally!

Source: remax.ca