Moving with Pets: A Survival Guide
Essential tips for reducing stress and keeping your pets comfortable during a move.
Pets are creatures of habit, and the disruption of a move can trigger anxiety, behavioral changes, and even health issues if not managed carefully. With some advance planning, you can make the transition smoother for your furry, feathered, or scaled family members.
Preparing Before the Move
Schedule a vet visit several weeks before your move. Request copies of your pet’s medical records and ensure vaccinations are up to date, especially if you are crossing state lines. Ask your vet about anti-anxiety options for particularly nervous animals. If your pet is microchipped, update the registration with your new address and phone number.
Gradually introduce your pet to moving supplies like boxes and packing tape. Let them sniff and explore these new items in their own time. This desensitization reduces the shock when packing day arrives and your home suddenly looks and smells unfamiliar.
Moving Day Strategies
On moving day itself, the safest option is to keep pets in a quiet, closed room that has already been packed, or better yet, arrange for them to stay with a trusted friend, family member, or boarding facility. The constant opening and closing of doors, heavy foot traffic, and loud noises create a high-risk environment for escapes and injuries.
If your pet must stay on-site, set up a comfortable crate or carrier in a calm area away from the action. Include familiar items like their favorite blanket, a toy, and a water bowl. Place a sign on the door that reads “Pet Inside — Do Not Open” to prevent accidental escapes during the moving process.
The Journey to Your New Home
For car travel, secure your pet in a well-ventilated carrier or use a pet seatbelt harness. Never let animals roam freely in a moving vehicle, as sudden stops can cause injuries. Plan rest stops every two to three hours so dogs can stretch their legs and relieve themselves. Keep cats and small animals in their carriers during stops to prevent escape in unfamiliar territory.
Bring a travel kit with enough food, water, medications, and waste bags for the entire journey plus an extra day, in case of delays. Familiar items from the old home, such as an unwashed blanket or a favorite toy, provide comforting scent cues during the trip.
Settling Into the New Home
At your new home, designate one room as your pet’s safe space and set it up with their bed, food, water, and litter box before introducing them to the rest of the house. Let them explore the new environment gradually over several days. Maintain your regular feeding and walking schedule as closely as possible, since familiar routines provide a powerful sense of stability during uncertain times.