Moving house with pets: a calm plan for dogs, cats and small animals
Pets notice change long before the van arrives. A practical plan for dogs, cats, small animals and fish, from the week before to the first fortnight.
How do you move house with pets safely?
Moving house with pets goes best when you keep their routine steady and keep them away from open doors on the day. Travel with them yourself. Animals pick up on boxes, noise and strangers, so a little planning saves a lot of stress for them and for you.
One rule matters more than any other: pets never travel in the removal van. A van is not ventilated, heated or cooled for animals, and loads can shift on the road. Plan for your pets to go in your own car or with a friend. Alternatively, they can stay with someone you trust until the new home is ready.
The plan below covers the days before, moving day itself and the first couple of weeks, with notes for dogs, cats, small animals and fish.
What should you do in the week before the move?
Bring the boxes out gradually rather than all at once, so the house does not change overnight. Keep feeding times, walks and bedtime as normal as you can. Familiar routines are reassuring when everything else looks different.
If your cat or dog is not used to a carrier or travel crate, leave it out with a blanket and the odd treat inside. A few days of practice makes the journey far easier. Check that collars fit and that tags are readable. Take a recent photo of each pet on your phone, just in case one goes missing in the confusion.
Book anything you need early. That might be a kennel, cattery or pet sitter for the day. It could also be a friend who takes the dog out while the house is being loaded. If your pet is anxious, nervous of travel or on medication, ask your vet for advice well ahead of the move.
How do you update your pet's microchip when you move?
Contact the microchip database your pet is registered with and give them your new address and phone number. Your vet can tell you which database holds the chip if you are not sure. A chip is only useful if the details on it are current.
In England, dogs must be microchipped and their keepers must keep the database details up to date. Since June 2024, the same requirement applies to pet cats in England. Doing this as soon as you have a confirmed moving date means you will not forget in the rush.
Dogs also need a collar tag with the owner's name and address when they are out in public. Order a new tag with your new address before moving day, and fit it as soon as you arrive. Add the new address to your list in our moving house checklist so it sits alongside your other changes.
How do you keep dogs and cats calm on moving day?
Choose one quiet room, such as a bathroom, and empty it early. Put your pet inside with water, a bed, a litter tray for cats and a few familiar toys. Shut the door and put a clear sign on it so nobody opens it by mistake while the crew are working.
Tell the removal crew you have pets in the house when they arrive. Doors will be propped open for long stretches, and a frightened cat can slip out in seconds. Many owners find it simpler for a friend or relative to take the dog for the day.
Feed a smaller meal than usual a few hours before travelling, and bring water, a bowl, food and any medication in the car. Never leave a pet alone in a parked car, especially in warm weather, as cars heat up very quickly. On a longer journey, plan short stops so dogs can stretch their legs and have a drink, always on a lead.
How should you move rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals?
Small animals are sensitive to heat, draughts and noise. Move them in a secure, well-ventilated carrier with some familiar bedding, and keep them out of direct sunlight in the car. Short journeys are easier for them, so travel as directly as you can.
Clean the hutch or cage before the move so it is ready to go. Set it up in a quiet, sheltered spot at the new home before you bring the animals in. Outdoor hutches should go somewhere safe from weather and from neighbours' cats and dogs.
Birds and reptiles have their own needs for temperature and handling. If you keep either, ask your vet or a specialist for advice on the best way to move them.
How do you move a fish tank?
Fish usually travel best in sealed bags or lidded containers filled with water from their own tank. Keep the containers in an insulated box to help hold the temperature steady. Do not move a tank with water or fish still in it, as the weight and sloshing can crack the glass.
Save as much tank water as you can in clean containers. Keep the filter media wet in tank water, so the helpful bacteria survive the journey. Plants can travel in bags of tank water too.
At the new home, set the tank up first and refill it with the saved water. Let it reach the right temperature before you add the fish. Pack the empty tank carefully as a fragile item and let us know about it when you ask for a quote.
How do you help pets settle into a new home?
Start with one room set up with familiar bedding, bowls and toys. Let your pet explore the rest of the house gradually over a few days. Keep the old routine for feeding and walks so something stays the same.
Cats are usually best kept indoors for at least a couple of weeks while they learn the new home is theirs. Dogs should stay on a lead in new areas until you know the garden is secure and fences have no gaps. Check for hazards such as open gates or loose fence panels on the first day.
Register with a local vet if you have moved out of range of your old one. Keep the new vet's number handy in case you need it in the first few days. Watch for changes in eating, sleeping or toilet habits, which are common for a short while after moving house with pets. If they carry on for more than a few days, speak to your vet.
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Questions about this guide
No. We never carry pets, for their safety. They should travel with you in your own car or stay with a friend, sitter or boarding service until the move is done.
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