Moving with Pets:
How to Help Your Dog or Cat Settle into a New Home
When we help move families in and out of Dumfries and Galloway, the things that cause the most anxiety aren’t usually the furniture or the glassware, it’s actually children and pets! Both are experts at picking up on stress, and both will need careful management on moving day as they won’t have a clue about what’s actually happening.
This new guide (check out our moving checklist) focuses on moving with pets, specifically dogs and cats. Much of the same information will apply to rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals too. So, if you’re planning a move and you share your home with a few pets, here’s how to ensure the experience goes as smoothly as possible for them.
Before Moving Day:
Keep Routines Intact as Long as Possible
Animals, dogs in particular, are creatures of habit. Their sense of security is rooted in their routines: from regularly scheduled walks and feeding time, they even like to sleep in the same place. So the disruption of a house move, with boxes appearing everywhere, furniture being moved, and the general chaos that comes with a packing service, might unsettle them before moving day has even begun!
In order to keep them as happy as possible, try to keep your pet’s normal routines during the days leading up to the move. Walk dogs at their usual time and keep their sleeping area undisturbed until the very last minute. Don’t change their food or feeding schedule either, as this can cause digestive stress which is the last thing you want when moving to a home with nice white carpets!
Moving Day:
Keep Pets Away from the Action
Moving day can be genuinely dangerous for pets. Door are open constantly, creating flight risks, removal crews will be in and out constantly carrying heavy items, with the usual household rules suspended for the duration of the move. A curious dog darting between the legs of a porter, whilst a cat clings on for dear life to the top of a wardrobe, aren’t situations you want on moving day.
The safest approach is to arrange for your pet not to be in the property during the main loading period. Here are some potential options instead:
- Ask a friend or family member to take the dog or cat for the day.
- Use a reputable doggy day-care or cat sitting service for a day or two.
- Book a cattery for moving day and usually the night before and night after.
- For cats in particular, if a sitter isn’t available, confine them to a single quiet room the removal crews won’t need access too. Include food, water, litter tray and some familiar toys or a blanket. Keep the door firmly closed with a keep out sign placed on the door.
If your pet must be present during the move, keep them on a lead or in a secure room for the duration. Never leave door or gate open and unattended, the last thing you want is your dog or cat making a dash for freedom when you’re trying to move home! Got more questions about your removal? Check out our Moving FAQ!
Transporting Your Pets
For 99% of house moves, pets should travel with the family rather than on the removal van. Here’s a few practical points to note:
- Dogs: If your dog isn’t used to long car journeys, build up to it. On the day itself, exercise them more than you normally would before you get in the car. A tired dog is a calmer dog! Bring water and some treats and take regular breaks if it’s a particularly long journey (every 90 minutes or so). If your dog is prone to car sickness, speak to your vet before you move as they will be able to offer some safe and effective alternatives.
- Cats: Cats should travel in a secure cat carrier, preferably covered with a familiar blanket. Place the carrier on a seat rather than in the boot if possible (strap it in if you can!). Being inside the car rather than the boot will reduce noise and in turn reduce the stress. Don’t open the cat carrier until you’re inside your new home, making sure all external doors and windows are shut. Most vets recommend confining a cat inside a new home for up to a month for them to get used to their new home and reduce the risk of them trying to return to their old home.
- Small Animals: For rabbits, guinea pigs and smaller animals, they should also travel in a secure, but ventilated carrier in the passenger compartment of your car. Make sure the temperature is kept consistent and avoid direct sunlight through the windows.
Arriving at the New Property with Cats
As you may know, cats are very territorial, and moving to a new home removes all the territorial markers they’ve established. This is the most significant transition for a cat, and it needs careful management to ensure they successfully move into their new territory.
For the first few days: Confine your car to one room (ideally the room they’ll spend the most time) so they can stay as close to you as possible. Put their bed, litter tray, food, and water in this room. Let them explore gradually at their own pace rather than giving them the run of the whole house right away.
Keep cats in for at least three to four weeks after moving before allowing outside the new house. They need to establish the new home as their base before they can safely navigate outside. When you do allow them outside, go with them initially and keep the sessions short. Even try a leash if you’re worried about them escaping and not returning.
Microchip details: An important point that many people forget about is to change the address on your pet’s microchip. If they do go missing during the settling-in period, up to date details will make all the difference!
Arriving at the New Property with Dogs
Although dogs adapt to their new surroundings more quickly than cats do, they still need thoughtful handling to ensure the transition into the new home goes as smoothly as possible.
On Arrival – Allow your dog full access to sniff around the new home or property. This is how dogs process new environments. Do a full walkthrough of the garden and outdoor spaces before leaving them unattended, this allows you to check for any gaps in the fencing, gate issues or potential spaces where they could escape and block them off.
Register with a Local Vet – Ideally this should be completed before you move, so there’s no gap in the coverage. Ask your current vet for a copy of your pet’s records so it’s an easy handover to the new practice.
Keep Walk Familiar – Initially, for the first week or two, walk your dog on a lead, even in areas where you’d normally let them off. This way they can gradually orientate themselves and feel safe in their new environment.
Update Your Records
Whichever pet you have, cat, dog, rabbit or something more exotic, be sure to update their records as soon as possible:
- Microchip Registration (via PetLog, Identibase, or your vet)
- Vet Registration (transfer records to a new local practice)
- Pet Insurance (notify your insurer of your new address as postcodes can affect premiums)
- Update the collar tag ID with your new contact details
Moving with Multiple Pets, or Pets with Children
Moving day with both young children and pets at the same time is a bit of a logistical nightmare. Our best recommendation – arrange for the children and pets to be look after away from the property during the main loading period. This will make moving day safer, faster and a lot less stressful for everyone involved, both the two and four legged variety.
If you’re planning a move to Dumfries and Galloway, the team here at Kenneth Hayton Removals are here to make the process as smooth as possible. We’re a family run business and we understand that a household move involves everything, including the children and the family pets.
