Moving House With Pets

9th of June, 2023

Moving house can be an extremely stressful period. At MoveStore, we know our clients have different things to worry about when moving home, whether that be work, kids or other commitments that don't just go on hold.

It can often be easy to overlook how your pets will cope with the change of surroundings and numerous people coming into your home throughout the process. Animals with routines like dogs and cats are most likely to become distressed. Planning for their move as much as everyone else can help your furry friends get settled into their new surroundings as quickly as possible.

We’ve created a timeline to act as a guide for making the move as stress-free as possible for your pets:

2 to 4 weeks before the move:

Decide whether your pet will be with you on the move or whether alternative arrangements such as a kennel, cattery or staying with family and friends will be more suitable.
Ensure you have the correct carry case and travel equipment for whichever travel arrangements you make for your animals. We recommend trying to get your animal used to a cage before the moving day.
Order new tags with your updated phone number and address so these can be changed over on the move day.
Avoid leaving packing to the last minute as a rush may lead to your pet feeling anxious.
Start researching vet practices near your new home so you are ready to register your pet once you have moved.

On moving day:

Animals love and know their routine. As much as moving day can be a busy day for you it is worthwhile to ensure your animals get their usual walk and feeding times.

Make sure and give your pets plenty of attention on moving day itself. The fear of getting left behind can be prominent and giving them your time will likely reduce their overall anxiety.
Once arriving at your new property make sure and check your perimeter to ensure there are no gaps or holes. By checking hedges and fences you can reduce the chances of your animal escaping.

After the move day;

Ensure your pet is kept inside or on a lead for the first few days. In some instances, pets - mainly cats - will try and return to their old surroundings.
Once a cat gets out in its new surroundings it could meet other cats and try to mark its territory. Check over your animals regularly to ensure they have not picked up any injuries.