We've moved over 20,000 families since 1976, and a lot of those families have dogs, cats, fish tanks, and the occasional parrot. Our crews know to keep doors closed, work around pet safe zones, and watch for a cat bolting toward the open truck ramp. Here's what we've learned about keeping your animals calm and safe on moving day.
General Pet Moving Principles
These apply to every species:
- Maintain routines. Feed, walk, and play at the same times as usual. Routine is the strongest anchor for pet security.
- Keep pets away from the chaos. On moving day, put them in a quiet room with a "do not open" sign on the door. Or better yet, have them stay with a friend, neighbor, or boarding facility.
- Update identification. Make sure microchip info has your new address and phone number. Update collar tags before the move.
- Pack a pet essentials bag. Food, bowls, medications, favorite toys, leash, waste bags, and a familiar blanket. Keep this in your car, not buried in the truck.
Moving with Dogs
Before the Move
Dogs pick up on household stress, so they may show anxiety before moving day even arrives. Keep their walking and exercise routine going. A tired dog is a calmer dog. If your dog is crate-trained, the crate should be the last thing packed and the first thing set up at the new place. For dogs prone to anxiety, talk to your vet about calming supplements or temporary medication.
Moving Day
Keep your dog in a single quiet room while our crew works, or arrange for a friend or daycare to watch them. An open front door with movers carrying furniture in and out is a recipe for an escaped dog. Our guys are careful about this, but it's safest to keep pets separated. If your dog has to be on-site, leash and supervise at all times.
At the New Home
Introduce your dog gradually. Start with one room where their bed, food, and water are set up. Let them explore more rooms over the first few days as you unpack. Walk the new neighborhood together right away. Sniffing the new environment helps dogs acclimate. Build a consistent route early so they get familiar.
Expect some adjustment behaviors: whining, restlessness, accidents (even for house-trained dogs), or a dip in appetite. This usually resolves in one to two weeks. If it doesn't, call your vet.
Moving with Cats
Before the Move
Cats are territorial, and moving disrupts everything about their sense of place. In the weeks before the move, leave the cat carrier open in a common area with a blanket inside so it becomes familiar. Pheromone diffusers (like Feliway) can lower baseline anxiety.
Moving Day
Confine your cat to one room with the door closed, litter box, food, water, and a "do not enter" sign. Cats are escape artists, and an open front door during a move is dangerous. Transport your cat in a secure carrier in your car, not the moving truck. Put a familiar-smelling blanket in the carrier.
At the New Home
Set up a "base camp" room with litter box, food, water, bed, and scratching post before letting your cat out of the carrier. Keep them in that one room for the first three to seven days while you unpack everywhere else. Then gradually open access to more rooms. Cats need to establish territory methodically. The whole house at once is overwhelming.
Keep windows and exterior doors firmly closed for at least the first two weeks. A cat that escapes in an unfamiliar area gets disoriented fast and may not find its way back.
Moving with Fish
Short-Distance Moves (Under Two Hours)
Transport fish in sealed bags filled one-third with tank water and two-thirds with air (the same way pet stores bag them). Put bags in an insulated cooler for temperature stability. Don't feed fish for 24 hours before the move to reduce waste in the transport bags.
Long-Distance Moves
For moves over two hours, you'll need battery-powered air pumps and insulated containers. For large aquariums, honestly evaluate whether the cost and hassle of transporting the whole setup justifies the effort versus rehoming the fish and starting fresh at the new place.
Tank Breakdown and Setup
Save as much tank water as possible in sealed five-gallon buckets. The established bacteria in that water are critical for water quality at the new location. Transport filter media wet, in tank water, to keep the bacterial colony alive. Empty the tank completely for transport. Never move a tank with water in it. The weight and sloshing can crack seams.
Moving with Birds
Transport
Use a small, secure travel cage instead of the regular cage, which is too big and unstable for a car. Cover the travel cage with a light cloth to reduce visual stimulation. Secure it so it can't slide or tip. Birds are sensitive to temperature extremes, so keep the car comfortable.
At the New Home
Set up the regular cage in a quiet room before letting them out of the travel cage. Keep the same layout (perch positions, food and water placement) for familiarity. Give them a few quiet days to adjust to new sounds and light.
Vet Records and Interstate Requirements
Moving across state lines? Pet health requirements vary by state. Most require:
- Current rabies vaccination. Required for dogs and cats in all 50 states.
- Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). A health certificate issued by a licensed vet within 10 to 30 days of the move (varies by state).
- Specific vaccinations. Some states require additional shots beyond rabies (leptospirosis for dogs, for example) or specific testing.
Check your destination state's Department of Agriculture website for exact requirements. Schedule a vet visit at least two weeks before an interstate move. We move families across the country regularly, to all 48 contiguous states, and pet paperwork is one of those things that's easy to forget until the last minute.
Pet-Proofing the New Home
Before giving your pet free access, walk through every room and check for:
- Open gaps behind appliances where cats or small dogs can get stuck
- Exposed electrical cords at chewing height
- Toxic plants left by previous owners
- Open floor vents large enough for kittens or small pets to fall into
- Unsecured toilet lids (drowning hazard for small animals)
- Gaps in fencing for outdoor dogs
- Pest control products or chemicals left in cabinets
Reducing Pet Anxiety During the Move
Beyond the logistics, here's how to manage the emotional side for your animals:
- Stay calm yourself. Pets mirror your stress. If you're frantic, they will be too.
- Use familiar scents. Place unwashed blankets, beds, and toys in the new home to create scent continuity.
- Increase exercise. Extra walks for dogs and extra play for cats burn off anxiety-driven energy.
- Try pheromone products. Adaptil for dogs and Feliway for cats release calming pheromones that can help with transitions.
- Talk to your vet for tough cases. Some pets have real anxiety that benefits from short-term medication during the transition.
Need help planning your residential move with pets in mind? Our career crews have done this thousands of times. They're careful about doors, they watch for animals, and they'll work around your pet's safe space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take pets to adjust to a new home?
Most dogs settle in within one to two weeks. Cats need two to four weeks, and shy cats may take up to two months. Fish and birds usually acclimate within a week if water quality and environment stay consistent. Younger animals tend to adjust faster than older ones.
Should I board my pet on moving day?
If you can, yes. Boarding or daycare keeps your pet safe, cuts their stress, and lets you focus on the move without worrying about an open front door or a nervous animal underfoot. Pick them up once the new home is set up enough to be safe and somewhat settled.
Can movers transport pets?
No. We don't transport live animals, and no reputable moving company does. Pets travel in your car or through a specialized pet transport service. Never put an animal in a moving truck. There's no climate control, no ventilation, and no way to check on them.
My cat is hiding and not eating after the move. Is this normal?
Yes. This is common cat behavior during transitions. Make sure food, water, and a litter box are accessible in their safe room, and give them space. Most cats start eating again within 48 to 72 hours. If your cat won't eat for more than three days, call your vet. Prolonged fasting can cause hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) in cats.
Do I need to register my dog at the new address?
Many cities and counties require dog registration or licensing. Check your new municipality's animal control website. You'll usually need proof of rabies vaccination. And update your dog's microchip registration with your new address and phone number while you're at it.