11 Tips for Moving with Pets
Whether you’re moving down the street or across the country, there are special considerations and precautions that should be taken when there are pets involved. You want to ensure the move happens without a hitch and everyone gets to your new home safely.
We’ve moved with our cats twice now and have learned a lot about what to do and what not to do. Our first move was a little hectic, but I can say that, besides Sampson’s Hide & Go Seek Game, the second move went much more smoothly thanks to the following 11 tips. They are guaranteed to make moving with pets easier!
Before the Move
1. Make sure that your new home is pet-friendly!
This should be done before even deciding where you are moving to. You don’t want to get to your new home and then realize pets aren’t allowed! When you find your pet-friendly home, make sure that you ask if there is a pet deposit. Nobody likes to be surprised with an extra bill they weren’t prepared for!
2. Find a veterinarian in your new town!
Luckily we only moved down the street, so we get to continue using our awesome vet, but not everyone is as lucky. Ask your veterinarian if he or she might have any suggestions of reputable vets in your new area. Or if you know someone where you are moving that also has pets, ask them for a recommendation. You will definitely want someone picked out before you arrive at your new home in case something happens upon your arrival. When you do find your new vet, call them and talk to them. Even send in your pet’s medical records. It’s always good to be as prepared as possible!
3. Update your pet’s tag and microchip!
This is a step that some people might not think of doing until after the move, but creating a new tag with your new address and phone number BEFORE moving is important. You’ll then want to exchange your pet’s tag as soon as you leave your old home in case your pet gets lost in transit or even upon arrival at your new home. You’ll also want to make sure that you update your information on your pet’s microchip. Many people forget to do this when they move, which results in beloved lost pets getting turned into shelters, but the shelter being unable to contact the pet’s owner because the information on the chip is out of date.
4. If your pet is not used to being in a carrier, put him or her in one for a little bit every day!
Pets should always be contained in a carrier while traveling. If he or she is not used to being in a carrier, traveling will be even more stressful for them than it already is. You want to do everything possible to make the move as stress-free as possible – for their sanity, as well as yours! Be sure to add a familiar toy or blanket in their carrier as well. Having one of their favorite things in the carrier with them will help to calm and comfort them.
5. Pack a separate bag for your pet!
In the chaos of packing, moving, and unpacking, it is very easy for items to get “lost.” Having a separate bag or box with your pet’s food, water, bed, medications, and other essentials will eliminate the frantic searching when you arrive at your new home. You should also keep this bag/box with you while you’re traveling – your pet will need food and water on the road!
Moving Day
1. Keep your pets isolated!
Moving day is chaotic. Whether you hire professional movers or employ the help of your friends and family, there will be strangers, loud noises, and lots of activity, all of which can be scary and stressful for your pet. Combine that with doors constantly being opened, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. To prevent your pets from slipping outside in the hustle and bustle, keep them closed up in a separate room. Better yet, keep them in their carriers.
2. If you opt to shut your pets in a room rather than keep them in carriers, make sure that you educate your moving helpers about the pet situation!
Be sure that everyone knows which room the pet is in so they don’t open the door and accidentally let your pet out. Keep reminding them too! If your moving helpers don’t have pets, chances are they won’t fully understand the imperativeness of being careful which doors they open.
3. When it comes time to move your pet, keep him or her in a carrier!
I’ll be the first to admit that I hate putting my cats in carriers when I travel with them. They don’t like it one bit, and it breaks my heart to listen to them crying and trying to make a jail break. I would much rather have them in my lap or on my shoulders, and they would prefer that too. Unfortunately, that is an extremely unsafe way to travel. If something were to happen, your pet could be seriously injured, or he or she could jump out a window or door. Or if something spooked your pet, he or she could jump and claw you, which could cause an accident. Not to mention, keeping your pet restrained in a carrier will prevent them from getting beneath your feet while driving.
As you can see, there are so many hazards when traveling with free-roaming pets in the car. For the safety of your pets, yourself, and everyone else on the road, keep your pet in a carrier, regardless of how long or short your trip is.
4. When you arrive at your new home, check it for safety hazards and pet-proof it BEFORE bringing your pet inside!
Make sure all the doors and windows are shut. Check the dryer vent and make sure that it is blocked, or hook your dryer up to it first thing. Remove any bug or mouse traps that might be hidden around. If there are any places you don’t want your pet to go, block them off. Check for obscure hiding places too.
5. Set up your pet’s food, water, bed, and other things before bringing your pet inside!
Coming into a new home for the first time can be overwhelming for a pet. Having their food, bed, and favorite toy already out and set up will give them some comfort when they come in.
6. Relax! And know that your pet is probably going to hide or be a bit stand-offish for a little while.
As stated before, moving can be scary, overwhelming, and stressful for a pet. Your pet, especially if it’s a cat, will probably find a hiding place immediately and stay there for a while. This is normal. Give him or her time to adjust and get comfortable with their new home. Running after them and fretting over them will only make things worse. Relax, and give them a chance to relax.
And remember – a new home brings new hiding places which you might not find as easily as your pet did. In our move last year, Sampson found a way to get inside the couch, and this time he somehow managed to hid up in the rafters of our basement. Both times, I couldn’t find him for a while, and I was so worried he had gotten out. When I finally did find him, he didn’t come out for almost a whole 24 hours, not even for food. Even though I was nervous and worried, I knew that he would come out when he was ready. And he did.
As long as you are aware of your pets and make their food and other necessities readily available to them, they should be just fine.
* If your pet does not eat for an extended period of time (2-3 days), you should contact your vet.
Have I left out an important tip to remember when moving with pets? Please add any other tips or advice you think are important in the comments below!
Pipo/Minko/MrJackFreckles says
Good advice as always.
(We are trying to cat-ch up with the blog world…we sure missed a lot during our AWOL time…)
Summer says
These are great! The last time my human moved, it was just three blocks, but I hear Binga complained loudly that she had to be locked up while the movers were getting all the furniture into the house!
Caren Gittleman says
These are all fabulous!
I don’t think I ever did #5 in the first grouping when I moved, but if I ever move again I will!
Numbers 1 and 2 in the second part are so important!! My first cat, Bobo, somehow slipped out when my ex and I moved. It took us HOURS to find him….I was crying and flipping out because I thought he was lost. While I was sitting on the front step, the door was open and out strolled Bobo. To this day I have no clue where he was.
Whenever I have a reason to put Cody in another room like that I always put a note on the door too, to not open the door, cat inside!!!
Another helpful tip, before we moved to our condo, I read to let the cat come and visit it first (if possible) before your move. That way their scent is there and they aren’t as frightened and disoriented.
Your tips were just fabulous!
catchatwithcarenandcody
Kitties Blue says
Hope you are all settling in well and everyone is happy in your new home. Astrid sends Sampy a bajillion kisses. We send love to all. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Dezi and Lexi says
Oh Meow, weez didn’t wealize yous all moved last year too. We sure hope yous found sumwhere to stay this time. Altho’ mommy sez she misses bein’ yung and able to move wound a lot. MOL Gweat post wiff gweat tips. Mommy sez one of da fings she duz is when we all awwive too da new place she always takes da kitties to where da pawdee box be set up and duz da welease there. Just helps to keep down nervous spwayin’ or wunnewin’ where da box might be. Have a pawsum day and weez hope all is settled and good soon.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
Austin Towers says
The human has never moved house with me! I hope she never does as I like it here, but if she does that all looks like very good advice!
Just to let you know that you are in the Towers Times today. A grievance you kitties voiced a while ago has just made it to the union!!! 😉
da tabbies o trout towne says
may we pleez add …ear plugs for de peepulz….. ☺☺☺{ kitteh ina carrier singin a song…doo da…doo da……. }
thanx for sharin theeze tipz guys. they all R grate !! ♥♥
Sometimes CatsHerdYou says
None of us have ever had to live through a move, but some of the head peep’s previous generation of cats moved with her five times. These great tips make it easier for everyone.
The Island Cats says
Excellent tips! Fortunately, we’ve never moved…and the mom says she doesn’t plan to either. 🙂
BeadedTail says
Great tips! We haven’t moved and we don’t plan to but Mommy and Daddy have moved across the country twice with pets and it was very stressful. Especially with hotel rooms involved! We think that’s why we’re going to stay put. Concatulations on your new house though!
Susan and the gang from Life with Dogs and Cats says
Those are all great tips. The only thing I would add is to when you’re unpacking to make sure to leave some empty boxes for the cats. Because that’s why you moved all those boxes, right?
–Purrs (and wags) from Life with Dogs and Cats
That's Purrfect says
Great advice and invaluable to anyone moving house.
Kjelle Bus aka Charlie Rascal says
Great moving tips !
XOXO
Tamago says
Those are such great moving tips. Especially updating microchip data…I didn’t think about that. If I ever move in the future, I come back to this post and make sure I follow these tips 🙂 Glad your moving went smoothly.
Thank you for your kind words at passing of our Kit xoxo
meowmeowmans says
These are really great tips! None of the kitties we have now have ever been moved, and we don;t plan on doing so anytime soon. But good information, just in case! 🙂
The Swiss Cats says
Great tips ! Purrs
Lily Ballen says
Me and my cat are about to move next month. This is an amazing and helpful post – just what I needed. Thanks for sharing. Last move was not as good as planned. That’s why I decided to search for help. I’m glad I found this site and I feel a lot more confident because of it.