Moving with Pets – 10 Tips You Need To Know!

Are you getting ready to move?

Not gonna lie. The thought sends shivers up my spine! Morgan and I have moved a LOT over the course of our marriage.

Lots of local moves but several that have taken us from TN to MS to VA to Swizterland back to the States in WV to GA and back to Virginia where we’ve been for the last 15 or so years.

I pretty much have moving down to a science, if you don’t count our last scary move where we weren’t sure if we were getting taken to the cleaners. (You can read about that experience here 😭).

But when you add your furr babies into the mix, it add just a bit of delicacy to the matter. You can’t explain the situation to your sweet pets, so preparing them for the move is really important.

This last move, we did some things really right and some things didn’t go as well as I planned.

It was super difficult because we had 10 days between selling our house and closing on our new one. Thankfully we had a new friend with a furnished basement and they welcomed our 3 cats with open arms.

And honestly, no matter how well you plan, you have to expect the unexpected, right?

Here is my checklist for moving with pets

1. Plan Ahead: The most important step is to start preparing early. Since you are reading this, you’re already ahead of the curve!  
2. Update your pets identification tags and microchip information. God forbid something crazy happens along the way and your fur baby gets away from you! If you’ve updated all their information with your current phone number and contact information, you’ll be in a much better position to deal with a runaway!
3. Before the journey be sure to visit the Vet: Schedule a check-up with your veterinarian before the move to make sure your pet is healthy, up to date on vaccinations, and ready for travel. Ask for any necessary health certificates and if your kitty or puppy has any motion sickness, you can ask for medication at this visit.
   1. When we moved from GA to VA, we made sure to have some anxiety  meds for our 7 year old Labrador Retriever. He was a ball of energy, so they really helped calm him for the 13 hour drive!
   2. Also, make sure your current vet has your new address. 
4. Pack a Pet Essentials Kit: Include your  pet’s records, food, water bowls, medications, toys, a leash, waste bags, and anything else your pet might need during the move or first few days in the new home.
   1. If you have any cats, you’ll obviously need a litter box. We had a covered one to help with the smell in the car. 
5. Stick to Your Routine: Keep feeding, walking, and playtime schedules consistent to reduce your pet’s anxiety during the transition.
   1. If you have to break up the trip and stay at a hotel, routine is going to be very important. During our last move, we had to stay at a friends guest house for about a week. We made sure to keep our kittens on the same feeding schedule and play with them to help reassure them that we were still a family!
6. Introduce the Carrier or kennel Early: If your pet will be traveling in a carrier or a crate, let them get comfortable with it in the weeks leading up to the move. Add a cozy blanket and familiar smells.
   1. And be sure on the day to not make the mistake I did this last time. For our first showing when we were selling our house, we needed to leave. I put two of our cats in the same carrier. It was plenty large, and they were littler mates….but they were not happy. I mean, fur was flying! I opened it immediatly and let them calm down before separating them into separate carriers. 
   2. Our third kitten is 16 years old, so I was able to take her to the car in my arms without incident so the showing was fine, but
   3. I immediately ordered more carriers from Amazon so they would each have their own for the actual move!
   4. I bought some Feliway for them. It’s a synthetic hormone that is supposed to help the cats calm down. The jury is still out on whether it helped them feel calmer. But we wanted to try and make it as reassuring as possible!
7. Keep Them Secure on Moving Day: Make sure your pets have a nice, quiet, safe space away from the chaos, like a separate room or crate, to prevent accidents or escapes.
   1. When the  movers came to pack us, we put our kitties in 2 separate bathrooms so they would at least have some semblance of protection. If you can board them during this process, that would probably be even better. 
8. Travel Safely: If driving, secure your pet with a harness or in a crate. We lined our kitties up in the back seat and secured each of their carriers with its own seatbelt.
   1. If you have to break up the trip, research pet-friendly hotels beforehand. Or find a vacation rental that will let you bring your pets. 
9. Prepare Your New Home: Pet-proof the space before arrival, ensuring its safe for them, and set up a dedicated area with their bed, toys, and familiar items.
   1. If the previous occupant has had pets in the home, consider having it professionally cleaned right down to the carpet.
   2. When we moved in this time, we had it cleaned really well, but didn’t think about having the carpet professionally steam cleaned. It seemed OK, but the previous owner had two big dogs.
   3. Once we moved in, we realized that the main bedroom carpet was actually pretty bad. It smelled like wet dog in the absolute worst way! The cats decided they did NOT like it and started PEEING on it. It was terrible!
   4. When we realized what was happening, we immediately tore out the carpet and laid new Pergo Laminate down. Because you’re never getting cat pee out of carpet.
   5. That was my first time laying flooring down and, tho I’m so so glad I was able to do it, it cost money we really weren’t planning to spend and it really took a toll on my body. Now, there’s no guarantee that steam cleaning it would have gotten the dog smell out enough, but it would have been a lot less expensive to try first! Mostly, because it was really nice carpet. 
10. Be Super Patient: Plan on there being an adjustment period. Pets may take time to adjust to a new environment. Offer lots comfort, special treats, and plenty of love to help them settle in. Don’t wash their blankets, toys,  or collar so they will smell like home in their new space! Familiar scents provide comfort and reduce anxiety as they get used to their new surroundings.

I hope these  tips will ensure a smoother transition for both you and your pet! Are you preparing for a move soon?

Moving with pets faqs