Moving house can be exciting, but it can also be stressful for pets. Dogs, cats and other animals are often sensitive to changes in their surroundings, and moving day can introduce unfamiliar people, loud noises, open doors and a constantly changing environment.
While you may understand exactly what is happening, your pet does not. From their perspective, furniture is suddenly disappearing, strangers are walking around the house, and their usual routine has changed.
Taking a little extra time to prepare your animals can make the moving process much safer and less stressful. Whether you are moving across town or relocating to a completely different area, planning ahead can help prevent accidents and keep your pets comfortable.
If you are working with a house removal company, it is also worth discussing your pets and making sure everyone understands the arrangements for moving day.
Why Moving House Can Be Stressful for Pets
Pets rely heavily on familiar surroundings and routines. They know where their food is, where they sleep and which areas of the home they can explore.
Moving removes much of this familiarity.
Removal day can be particularly challenging because of the activity taking place around the house. Doors may be open for long periods, boxes may be stacked in unfamiliar places and furniture may be moved through rooms.
Dogs may become anxious or overexcited, while cats may hide or attempt to escape through an open door.
Some animals may also react to the stress of their owners. If you are rushing around packing and organising everything, your pet may sense that something unusual is happening.
Preparing them gradually can make the transition easier.
Start Preparing Before Moving Day
Pet safety should not begin on the morning of the move.
Start preparing your animals several days or weeks before the removal, depending on your circumstances.
Keep their normal feeding and walking routines as consistent as possible. Avoid making unnecessary changes to their daily schedule while you are already dealing with packing and other moving tasks.
You can also begin introducing packing materials gradually. If your pet is nervous around cardboard boxes, for example, leaving a few boxes around the home before the main packing process begins can help them become familiar with them.
The aim is to avoid making every change happen at once.
Create a Safe Space
One of the most useful things you can do on removal day is give your pet a secure area away from the main activity.
This could be a quiet room that is not being used by the removal team. Place their bed, water, food, toys and other familiar items inside.
Keep the door closed and clearly let everyone involved in the move know that the room is being used for your pet.
For cats in particular, a secure room can help prevent them from escaping when people are carrying furniture in and out of the property.
If possible, put a sign on the door reminding people not to enter.
Consider Temporary Accommodation
For some pets, the safest option may be to keep them away from the property altogether.
You could ask a trusted friend or family member to look after your pet for the day. Professional pet boarding may also be an option if it suits your animal.
This can remove your pet from the noise and activity of the move.
It can also make things easier for you because you will not need to constantly check whether your pet is safe while coordinating movers.
However, this option may not suit every animal. Some pets become more anxious when separated from their owners, so consider their personality and previous experiences.
Keep Doors and Gates Secure
Open doors are one of the biggest risks for pets during a house move.
Removal teams need to move in and out of the property frequently, which means exterior doors may remain open for extended periods.
A nervous pet could quickly run outside and become lost.
Make sure your pet is kept behind a secure door, gate or other barrier. Do not assume that a normally obedient dog will stay inside when there is unusual activity around the property.
Cats can be particularly difficult to monitor because they may hide in unexpected places before suddenly making a dash for an open door.
A secure room is usually safer than relying on supervision alone.
Keep Familiar Items With Your Pet
Familiar smells and objects can help animals feel more comfortable during a stressful transition.
Pack a small pet bag containing essentials such as:
- Food
- Water
- Bowls
- Bedding
- Toys
- Leads or harnesses
- Waste bags
- Medication if required
- Cleaning supplies
- Treats
Keep these items separate from the rest of your moving boxes.
You do not want to arrive at your new home and discover that your pet’s food or favourite blanket is buried somewhere inside the removal truck.
Tell Your House Removal Company About Your Pet
Communication can make moving day much easier.
If you are using a house removal company, let them know in advance that you have pets. You do not necessarily need the movers to look after your animals, but they should understand that certain rooms may need to remain closed.
You can explain where your pet will be staying and remind the team to be careful around doors and gates.
Professional movers are accustomed to working around different household situations, but clear communication helps everyone understand what is expected.
It also reduces the chance of someone accidentally opening a room where your pet is being kept.
Transport Your Pet Safely
Once the old home is empty, you still need to consider how your pet will travel to the new property.
Dogs should generally be secured appropriately during vehicle travel rather than being allowed to move freely around the car.
Cats and smaller animals should be transported in a suitable carrier that is secure and comfortable.
Avoid opening the carrier or letting your pet out in an unfamiliar area.
Even an animal that is normally calm can become frightened in unfamiliar surroundings.
If the journey is long, plan suitable breaks where appropriate and make sure your pet has access to water.
Prepare the New Home Before Letting Your Pet Explore
When you arrive at your new property, it can be tempting to let your pet immediately explore the entire house.
However, giving them access to a smaller area first can be less overwhelming.
Set up one quiet room with their familiar bedding, food, water and toys. Allow them time to adjust before gradually introducing them to the rest of the property.
This can be particularly useful for cats, which may take longer to become comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings.
Dogs may also benefit from being introduced to the new home gradually rather than being immediately exposed to every room and every new sound.
Check the New Property for Hazards
Before allowing your pet to explore freely, check the property for potential hazards.
Look for open gates, gaps in fences, exposed wires, poisonous plants, unsecured windows and areas where a small animal could become trapped.
If you have a garden, check that it is properly enclosed before allowing your dog outside.
You should also make sure doors and windows are secure.
A new property may contain hazards that you would not notice immediately, so taking a few minutes to inspect the environment can prevent problems later.
Help Your Pet Return to a Routine
Once the move is complete, try to restore your pet’s normal routine as quickly as possible.
Feed them at their usual times and maintain their regular walking or play schedule.
Familiar routines can provide reassurance when everything else around them has changed.
Do not worry if your pet behaves differently for a few days. Some animals may hide, become quieter than usual or appear unsettled after moving.
Give them time to adjust rather than forcing them to explore or interact before they are comfortable.
Watch for Signs of Stress
Pets can respond differently to moving house.
Some may become restless or vocal, while others may hide more than usual. Changes in eating, sleeping or toilet habits can also indicate that an animal is struggling with the transition.
If you notice significant or persistent changes in your pet’s behaviour, consider speaking with a veterinarian.
It is better to seek professional advice if you are concerned rather than assuming that unusual behaviour will automatically disappear.
Don’t Forget Identification
Moving house is also a good opportunity to check your pet’s identification details.
If your pet is microchipped, make sure the registration information is updated with your new address and contact details where applicable.
Check that collars and identification tags are also current.
This is particularly important during a move because frightened animals can sometimes escape from unfamiliar properties.
Having accurate identification information can make it easier to reunite with a pet if they become lost.
Final Thoughts
Moving house with pets requires a little more planning, but it does not have to be overwhelming. The most important thing is to reduce the amount of disruption your animal experiences while keeping them secure throughout the move.
Create a quiet and safe space, keep important supplies nearby, secure doors and gates, and consider whether temporary care would be appropriate. If you are using a house removal company, communicate your pet arrangements clearly so the moving team knows which areas require extra care.
Once you reach your new home, give your pet time to settle in and gradually introduce them to their new surroundings.
With careful preparation, you can make removal day safer and more comfortable for your animals while giving yourself one less thing to worry about during an already busy day.