Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Getting Started

Moving with pets won’t be stressful if you follow these steps

Mary Johnson
By

While you might be a fan of traveling, pets find it unsettling. Animals are quite sensitive to changes in their environment, which makes uprooting your furry family members a potential recipe for disaster. Whether you’re moving to a new place in the same city or you’re planning for cross-country relocation, moving is stressful.

But you’re in luck: Our list of tips for moving with pets will help you simplify the process so your move goes much smoother. Your pets will settle in faster, and you’ll be able to get into an everyday routine in no time.

Tabby and puppy snuggling in the grass.
Snapwire from Pexels

What to consider before your move

We can’t make packing any easier for you, but moving with pets doesn’t have to add to the stress of relocating. Before you pack a single box, there are some things you should keep in mind.

Recommended Videos

Get to know the neighborhood

First and foremost, location is everything. If you have dogs, you’ll want to confirm the neighborhood is dog-friendly. Most dogs need plenty of room to exercise, so make sure you have a yard or easy access to a dog park if you’re moving to an apartment. You’ll also want to find out if other dogs in the neighborhood are friendly to avoid future confrontations.

Is a young puppy or an older dog part of the family? Keep an eye out for potential physical barriers like stairs, as puppies may have trouble with coordination. Older dogs are prone to arthritis, which makes walking up and down numerous flights of stairs uncomfortable.

If you have cats, you’ll want to find a new home with room for cat trees and scratching posts to keep your feline friend happy. While it’s less of an issue if your cat is strictly an indoor cat (which we recommend for safety reasons), look for houses with fenced-in yards to deter your cat from wandering off.

Make packing more comfortable for pets

Once you’ve found your dream home, you’re ready to start the move. Because animals are so sensitive to changes around the home, you may want to consider creating a safe space for them. Having a calm, quiet space away from the chaos of packing is extremely beneficial for your pet, and it keeps them from getting underfoot as you work.

You can pack up a guest bedroom or bathroom first and cordon them off inside with food, water, a litter box or potty pads, and their favorite toys. Another possibility is allowing your pet to stay with friends or family. If none of those options works out, you may want to let them bunk at the vet overnight. You can check them in for boarding only, or you can schedule a checkup to ensure they’re in perfect health for the big move.

Collect records from the vet

This doesn’t apply if you’re staying within the area, but if you’re moving out of town, you’ll want to collect your pet’s records from the vet. Whether you choose to go in for a final checkup or not, you should always ensure your pets are up to date on vaccinations and that you have any prescriptions filled before you move. This is a great time to update your address stored on your pet’s microchip.

A tan dog cuddling a gray dog in bed.
Adrianna Calvo from Pexels

Simplify moving day

If you’re in for a long-haul move and need to fly with your pets, you’ll need to review the airline’s regulations for pet travel. For example, American Airlines asks you to reserve a pet check-in 48 hours before you fly. You’ll want to arrive early for check-in, but safety regulations dictate you can’t check your pet in more than four hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. You’ll also need to bring a health certificate to verify that your pet is healthy.

When it comes to traveling with pets, it’s much easier to make the journey in the car. For shorter trips, pets can travel in a carrier in the back seat — please make sure to belt them in — but we recommend a kennel for long journeys. If you’re traveling with cats, place a small litter box in the kennel with them along with food and water. You can take your dog for a brief walk when you stop for gas.

Take stress into account

Even the most well-behaved animals can become anxious during car rides, so even if your pet stays calm under normal circumstances, we recommend keeping them kenneled while the vehicle is in motion. Cats may hide beneath the pedals, making it impossible for you to brake in time to avoid a collision, and dogs may try to sit on your lap, obscuring your view of the road. If your pet seems overly stressed, try covering their kennel with a towel or blanket.

Five striped kittens snuggling in the grass.
Pixabay from Pexels

Help them settle in

Once you’ve reached your new home, you’ll want to take things slowly. If you can, we recommend getting your house unpacked and set up before you move with your pet. That way, they’ll be surrounded by familiar smells, and they’ll feel much safer in their new space. If that isn’t possible, keep them in one room until they adjust to their new home.

Moving with pets can be hectic, but you can keep pets calm and help them settle into their new home quickly. Following our tips is a good way to start.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mary Johnson
Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
What you need to know about dogs with blue eyes
Here are the facts behind blue eyes in dogs, a rarity that comes with some health risks
Upside down brown dog

Blue-eyed dogs are striking, mostly because they are such an unusual sight. After all, even though all puppies are born with blue eyes, 95% of them will change color within the first eight to 10 weeks of life. And while there’s almost nothing sweeter than staring into the brown eyes of an adoring pet, those dog breeds with blue eyes are, well, a sight to behold.

If you’re lucky enough to own a dog with blue eyes, congratulations. If, like the rest of us, you’re just curious about what causes that beautiful abnormality, read on. We’ll share which dog breeds naturally have blue eyes, why that occurs, and if blue-eyed dogs are at risk for health problems as a result.

Read more
Could it be a dog paw infection? Signs, symptoms, and treatments for these pesky, painful issues
Dog paw infection 101: How to avoid and treat this problem
Dog paws on a wood slab

It's hard not to relish daily walks with your dog. You both get fresh air and much-needed exercise, and seeing your dog explore and discover the world is oh-so-fun. Afterward, you and your pup might even engage in a cozy snuggle session on the couch. What could be better?
Dogs also walk in small amounts at home, whether during a play session or a trip to the backyard, and paw health is essential to keep them comfortable and walking. If one or more of your dog’s paws gets injured or infected, mobility can be tricky, painful, and sometimes impossible. As a pet parent, the last thing you want is to see your fur baby in pain. Injuries might be inevitable, but understanding the causes, signs, and treatment for a dog paw infection can ensure your pet gets the proper care as soon as possible. After all, early detection and treatment can prevent the condition from getting worse.
Here’s what you need to know.

What causes a dog paw infection? You can help your pup avoid paw discomfort if you know what to look for
As much as we'd like to give you an easy answer, several factors can contribute to a paw infection. Here are a few common ones.

Read more
What fish can live with bettas? These are your best bets for fish buddies
These are the 6 fish that do well living with bettas
Blue betta fish staring at the camera

Betta fish are known for being territorial, feisty, rather combative, and therefore not great tank mates in general. This reputation, however, only holds true in particular situations and with certain fish friends. Male betta fish are aggressive, but only with other male bettas so it is important to never put two males in the same tank. It will lead to tail nipping and other aggressive behavior. So what fish can live with bettas?

Happily, there are several other fish that will keep your betta company in a safe and non-aggressive environment. Many colorful, friendly fish cohabitate well with bettas. This is our guide to finding the perfect fish companion (or companions) for your betta.

Read more