Moving house is a big change for everyone in the family – and that includes the four-legged members too. New smells, new noises, new neighbours, plus all the extra stress and excitement buzzing around them: it’s a lot for a pet to take in. Every animal is different, so how yours reacts will depend on their personality, but a bit of planning goes a long way towards making the move as smooth as possible.

Here’s our complete pet moving checklist, split into what to do before the move and what to do once you’ve settled into your new home.

Before the Move: Getting Your Pet Ready

Get Them Comfortable with Their Carrier

If your pet isn’t used to their carrier or crate, start a few weeks ahead of moving day. Pop some treats inside, let them wander in and out in their own time, and get them used to being picked up and carried. A bit of practice now means a lot less stress on the day itself.

Sort Out Pet Care for Moving Day

Moving day is chaotic even for humans, so it’s worth arranging for your pet to be somewhere calmer – a friend’s house, a boarding kennel or cattery, or a pet sitter. Keeping them away from the boxes, the strangers, and the open front doors will save everyone’s nerves.

Book a Trip to the Vet

Check in with your vet before the move to make sure vaccinations are up to date. It’s also a good chance to ask about calming products, like pheromone diffusers or anxiety medication, if your pet tends to get stressed.

Pack Their Essentials Last

Food, water bowls, bedding, and favourite toys should be the last things you pack and the first things you unpack. Having familiar items ready to go makes the new house feel like home that bit sooner.

After the Move: Settling In

Set Up a Safe Space

Before anything else, create a quiet room with your pet’s bed, toys, and food bowls – somewhere they can retreat to and feel secure. If your dog is crate trained, pop their crate somewhere calm so they can take themselves out of the hustle and bustle whenever they need to.

Check Your Boundaries

Before letting your pet loose in the garden for the first time, walk the fence line and check for gaps, loose panels, or anywhere they could squeeze through and escape.

Update Their Details

Update your pet’s microchip details and collar tag with your new address and contact number – it’s easy to forget in the chaos of moving, but it’s one of the most important jobs on the list.

Stick to Their Routine

Keep mealtimes and walks as close to normal as you can. A familiar routine gives pets a real sense of security when everything else around them has changed.

Let Them Explore Gradually

Once they’ve settled, let your pet explore the new home and garden at their own pace. No rushing – some pets take days, others take weeks.

Keep Cats Indoors to Start With

Outdoor cats should stay indoors for at least a few weeks while they adjust. This gives them time to learn where home is before they start exploring outside, which massively reduces the risk of them getting lost or going walkabout. There’s plenty of good advice online on how to help your cat feel safe and settled in a new environment.

Be Patient

Give your pet plenty of time to adjust, and use their favourite treats to coax them back if they seem nervous. It’s also worth knowing that even a well house-trained pet might have the odd accident while they’re feeling anxious – try not to worry, it’s usually temporary.

Register with a New Vet

Find and register with a local vet near your new home, so you’re all set if you ever need one in a hurry.

Our Top Tip

If you can, arrange for your pet to spend completion day with a trusted friend, family member, or boarding facility. Once you’re in, have their safe space set up and ready with all their familiar belongings before they arrive. Keep mealtimes and walks consistent, introduce them to their new surroundings gradually, and if you’ve got a cat, keep them indoors for the first few weeks. A little patience now sets them up to feel at home in no time.