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Moving House with Pets: A Real Family's Guide

Alan Stephenson • February 4, 2025

Moving with pets isn't just about the moving day itself

A woman is petting a dog while sitting on a sofa.

Let's talk about something that many families worry about – moving house with their furry friends.

Recently, we helped the Thompson family move from Hornchurch to Stock with their two cats and a rather nervous Golden Retriever named Buddy.

Their experience inspired us to share some genuine, tried-and-tested advice.

Moving with pets isn't just about the moving day itself.

The Thompsons learned this the hard way when Buddy started acting up three weeks before the move, sensing something was different as soon as the packing boxes appeared.

Here's what actually works (and what doesn't):

Before Moving Day

Remember how your mum used to say timing is everything? She was right. Start introducing your pets to packing boxes early.

The Thompsons left their moving boxes out in the living room for a few days, letting their cats explore and sniff around. It worked wonders – by moving day, the boxes were old news.

Keep Their Routine

Pets are creatures of habit. Keep walking your dog at the same times, feeding them as usual, and maintaining their normal routine.

Mrs. Thompson kept Buddy's evening walks consistent, even when she was knee-deep in packing. It helped keep him calm and settled.

The Big Day Itself

Here's something we've learned after thousands of moves: pets and moving day chaos don't mix well.

The Thompson family got it spot-on by sending their pets to their gran's house for the day.

No stressed pets underfoot, no escape attempts, and no worried looks from those puppy dog eyes.

But what if you can't send them somewhere? Create a quiet room with their bed, toys, food, and water. Pop in regularly to check on them and give them a reassuring pat and love.

Setting Up The New Home

This bit's crucial. Before letting your pets loose in the new house, set up one room with their familiar things – beds, toys, litter trays, food bowls. It gives them a safe space while they adjust.

The Thompsons did something clever – they kept their old sofa covers and didn't wash them immediately.

The familiar smells helped their pets feel at home faster. Sometimes, the best tricks aren't the obvious ones!

A Few Extra Tips From Our Years on The Job:

Update their microchip details before moving day (easy to forget in the rush)
Keep some of their favourite treats to hand
Bring their water from your old home – sounds odd, but different water can upset some pets' tummies especially if moving out of the area
Take a familiar blanket and/or toy in the car with them

Remember, every pet is different. What worked for the Thompsons' laid-back cats might not suit your energetic puppy.

But the key is staying calm yourself – pets pick up on our stress like little furry stress detectors!

We've seen hundreds of pets settle into their new homes beautifully.

Sure, there might be a few meows of protest or confused barks at first, but with a bit of patience and lots of love, they'll be ruling their new kingdom in no time.

Need more advice about moving with pets? Or any other moving questions?

We've been helping families (and their four-legged friends) move since 1984, and we're always happy to share what we've learned along the way.

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