Moving with Pets: 10 Best Tips to Make Your Pets Feel Safe During a Move

• August 10, 2020
• Bill Chen

Last updated on October 30, 2023

Moving is never an easy task, and that can be compounded when moving with kids or pets, as there is an adjustment to work with. You might be using friendly removalists or wherever you are to help with your furniture and boxes but remember your pets are a big part of your home too. We’ve got you covered with 10 tips to make your pets feel safe during a move.

• Get in Touch with your Vet

Pets are not the same as moving a plant. While plants require special care during transportation, pets may have more complex needs that need to be taken into account. This includes factors like travel arrangements, pet-friendly accommodations, and any special dietary or medical needs that your pet may have.

By speaking with your vet, you can gain valuable insights into how to best care for your pet during the move. They can provide advice on how to minimize stress and anxiety for your pet, recommend pet-friendly accommodations or travel arrangements, and provide guidance on any health or medical issues that may need to be addressed.

• Pack Your Pet’s Stuff Last

I suggest you only pack your pet’s toys, mat, food, etc on the day, or as late on the previous night as possible. Don’t let your pet get too suspicious of a potential move. By packing your pet’s stuff last you can keep some normality during the moving time. 

• Unpack Your Pet’s Stuff First

Once the move is complete, get your pet’s stuff out first. If you want some tips on packing and unpacking, you can check out our post on tips to organise your house after a move. Help your pet get used to its new surroundings by having the familiar smells and feelings of toys, mats, and food as quickly as possible. 

Keep Your Pets Away from the Main Action

Make sure that when your skilled removalists in Mosman or your local area, are doing their work with the big ticket items being moved around, and doors being kept open, it’s best to keep your pet as far away from all this excitement as you can. You don’t want your dog being trampled on or your cat making a bolt for the front door and out into oncoming traffic. 

Moving with Cats

If you’re moving with cats, then you need to consider a few things. Firstly, is your cat an outside or inside cat? If your cat is an inside cat, then this is probably easier. However, if your cat is an outdoor cat, then you will want to research if your neighbours have any cats. Usually, cats can be very territorial and generally roam into other people’s gardens freely. Don’t take your cat out of his/ her cage until after you have unpacked everything and are ready for him/her to explore the new surroundings. You may want to consider either encouraging your cat to become an indoor cat or keeping him/her inside for a couple of weeks until he/she can be a bit more settled. 

Moving with Dogs

Moving with dogs is the easiest to deal with. I would suggest not washing your dog’s mat during the move so that when you do arrive in the new digs, your pup has a familiar smell amongst the raft of new ones to deal with. I would also recommend taking your dog for a couple of walks in your new neighbourhood before you do the move (if possible), so he/she can start to get a bit more familiar with the new surroundings.

Moving With Fish

Fish respond very strongly to stress, and the consequences can be traumatisation or even possibly fatal. Travelling with a full aquarium filled up is not ideal, no matter how efficient your removalists in Sydney North Shore are, so you might either put your fish in a bag with their aquarium water for the move, or if the move is quite long, it’s probably best that you give them a new home with one of your friends, family, or neighbours, and after the move is done empty the tank and buy new fish. 

Moving with Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Rabbits

These animals tend to have weaker hearts – so please take care when moving. Transport them in a small or cosy, warm and comfy container and take it easy with them. 

Moving with Birds

Birds, just like animals and people, can sometimes be uncomfortable or anxious about change. To avoid them from flying off, make sure they are kept in their cage during the move, and probably for a good few days after the move. 

The key to all is to remember about your pets and remember that they are a large part of your family too. Doing this, and keeping them in mind, and your move should be a success!