Why Moving Day Is Different When You Have Pets
A moving crew understands what is happening. Your pet does not.
Furniture disappears, boxes stack up, unfamiliar people enter the house and doors that normally stay closed may remain open repeatedly throughout the day.
Planning for your pet separately from the household belongings makes the moving process easier to manage.
Moving With Pets Timeline
Decide where the pet will stay during loading, prepare a carrier or restraint when appropriate and separate food, medication and other essentials.
Avoid packing every familiar bed, blanket or toy too early. Keeping some familiar items available can preserve part of the pet's normal environment.
Place the pet in the planned secure area before the movers begin carrying belongings through the home.
Transport household pets separately under your supervision rather than treating them as household cargo.
Establish a secure area with familiar belongings while furniture and boxes are being unloaded.
8 Pet Essentials To Keep With You
Food
Keep enough food readily accessible so it does not disappear into the middle of the moving shipment.
Water
Keep drinking water and an appropriate bowl available during transportation and after arrival.
Medication
Keep required medications personally accessible rather than packing them with ordinary belongings.
Carrier Or Leash
Have the appropriate restraint, carrier or leash ready before moving activity begins.
Identification
Keep current identification and relevant contact information associated with the pet.
Waste Supplies
Keep litter, waste bags or other necessary cleanup supplies easily accessible.
Familiar Item
A familiar blanket, bed or toy can help establish continuity between the old home and new home.
Cleaning Supplies
Keep a small amount of pet-safe cleanup material accessible for the journey and first night.
Where Should Your Pet Be While Movers Are Working?
The best setup is one that keeps the pet safely away from doors, furniture routes and active loading areas.
Do Not Let A Pet Wander Through The Moving Area.
Movers may be carrying sofas, boxes, mattresses, dollies and other large objects through the property.
A pet underfoot can create a problem for both the animal and the people carrying furniture.
Possible arrangements include:
- A secure closed room away from the moving route
- A suitable carrier
- A trusted family member or friend
- A prearranged pet-care location
Different Pets Need Different Moving Plans
Secure The Exit Route
Repeatedly opening exterior doors can create an escape opportunity. Keep the dog secured away from the movers' path.
Use A Quiet Secure Area
Cats may hide when the home becomes busy. Know where the cat is before furniture starts moving and before exterior doors begin opening.
Prepare Transportation
Prepare a suitable carrier and keep the animal away from unstable boxes, equipment and active pathways.
Plan Each Pet Separately
Make sure each pet has appropriate transportation, supplies and a secure location during loading.
Plan Pet Transportation Separately From The Moving Truck
Your pet's transportation plan should be decided before moving day.
Household pets should travel under your supervision in an appropriate vehicle, carrier or restraint suited to the animal.
Pets Are Not Household Cargo.
Do not plan on placing a pet inside the moving truck with furniture and household belongings.
Prepare A Separate Pet Moving Bag
Just like your own moving-day essentials , your pet's necessities should stay with you.
Moving With Pets From An Apartment
Apartments create additional moving-day traffic through hallways, elevators, stairs and shared entrances.
Your pet should be secured before the crew begins moving belongings through these areas.
Also confirm building access, elevator reservations and loading rules ahead of time.
See our complete Apartment Moving Tips guide.
Set Up A Pet Area At The New Home First
When possible, create one secure area at the destination before the pet begins exploring the entire property.
- Water
- Food
- Familiar bedding
- Favorite toy
- Litter or waste setup
- Medication if needed
This also gives the pet somewhere secure while movers are bringing furniture through the new home's doors.
Inspect The New Property Before Letting Pets Roam
Before giving a pet full access to the new property, look for obvious escape routes or hazards.
- Open gates
- Fence gaps
- Open exterior doors
- Unsecured balconies
- Moving equipment
- Boxes blocking normal pathways
The destination may remain an active loading area until the truck is fully unloaded. Keep the pet secure until the high-traffic portion of the move is complete.
Rebuild Familiar Routines After The Move
Once the major moving activity is over, familiar routines can help make the new property feel more predictable.
Keep feeding, exercise and sleeping routines reasonably consistent where practical, while gradually allowing the pet to become familiar with the new surroundings.
Moving With Pets Checklist
Check each item you have prepared before moving day.
Is Your Pet Ready For Moving Day?
Check everything that is complete.
Start preparing your pet's moving-day plan.
Plan For Your Pet Before The Movers Arrive
Most of the important decisions should already be made before moving morning begins.
Know where your pet will stay, how it will travel, which supplies will remain with you and where the pet will go when you reach the new property.
Then the movers can concentrate on the furniture and boxes while you concentrate on keeping your pet secure throughout the transition.