Moving House with Pets — Safety Guide

Moving house is consistently ranked as one of life's most stressful events — and your pets feel the disruption too. Sudden changes to routine, strange faces in the house, packed boxes everywhere, and then a completely new environment can cause anxiety in even the most laid-back animals. Here's how to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Before moving day — preparation

Dogs

• Visit the new area for walks before the move if possible — familiar smells from you will help them settle faster
• Keep their routine as normal as possible in the weeks leading up to the move
• Update their microchip details and ID tag with the new address before moving day
• If your dog is prone to anxiety, speak to your vet about calming options in advance

Cats

• Set up a dedicated room at the new house before moving anything else — a quiet space with their bed, litter tray, food, and water
• Keep cats indoors for at least 2–4 weeks after moving to let them establish the new house as home base
• Update microchip details before the move

Small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, birds)

• Travel in their usual cage or carrier — familiar smells are important
• Cover the cage during transport to reduce visual stimulation and stress
• Keep temperature stable — avoid leaving animals in a hot car

On moving day

Moving day is chaotic — doors constantly opening, strangers in the house, furniture being moved. This is genuinely dangerous for pets, particularly cats and small animals who may bolt or hide somewhere difficult.

• Keep pets out of the way during the move itself. Put dogs and cats in one secure room with a sign on the door, or arrange for them to stay with a friend or family member for the day.
• Don't leave animals in vehicles — even on cool days, cars heat up quickly.
• Move pets last, once the majority of furniture is loaded, to minimise their exposure to the disruption.

At the new house

Dogs

Take them for a walk as soon as you arrive to let them explore the new area. Then introduce them to each room gradually rather than giving them free run of the whole house immediately. Stick to their normal feeding and walk times as closely as possible.

Cats

Start them in one room for the first few days. Once they're comfortable and using their litter tray, gradually open up more of the house. Keep them indoors for at least 2–3 weeks before allowing outdoor access.

Signs your pet is struggling

Some behavioural changes are normal after a move, but watch for prolonged signs of distress:

• Refusing to eat for more than 24 hours
• Hiding persistently and not coming out
• Toileting in unusual places (cats especially)
• Excessive vocalisation or aggression

If these persist beyond a week or two, speak to your vet.

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