How to Move with Pets: The Complete Guide for Dogs, Cats, and More (2026)

Moving is stressful enough without worrying about your dog hiding under the bed or your cat staging a protest from inside a packing box. The reality is that moving with pets takes extra planning — but the good news is that a little preparation goes a long way.

Whether you're relocating across town with a golden retriever or moving cross-country with two cats and a hamster, this guide covers everything you need to know: what to do weeks before the move, how to survive moving day, and how to help your pet settle into their new home without losing your mind (or theirs).

Why moving is hard on pets

Pets are creatures of routine. They know which corner of the couch is theirs, what time dinner happens, and exactly which patch of sunlight hits the floor at 2 p.m. A move disrupts all of that — and unlike humans, pets can't understand why.

Dogs tend to pick up on your stress and mirror it. If you're anxious, they're anxious. Cats, on the other hand, are deeply territorial. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), environmental changes are one of the top triggers for stress-related behavior in cats, including hiding, refusing to eat, and inappropriate elimination.

The key takeaway: your pet isn't being difficult — they're scared. And the more you plan ahead, the easier the transition will be for both of you.

Your 4-week moving-with-pets timeline

The biggest mistake people make when moving with pets? Waiting until moving day to think about it. Here's a week-by-week plan that actually works.

4 weeks before: vet visit and paperwork

Schedule a vet appointment. You'll want to make sure vaccinations are current, pick up any prescription refills, and get a copy of your pet's medical records for your new vet. If you're moving to a new state, check whether you need a health certificate — many states require one issued within 10 days of arrival.

This is also a good time to ask your vet about anxiety management. Some pets benefit from calming supplements, pheromone diffusers like Feliway (for cats) or Adaptil (for dogs), or in more serious cases, short-term anti-anxiety medication.

3 weeks before: crate and carrier training

If your pet isn't already comfortable in a crate or carrier, start now. Leave it open in a common area with a favorite blanket and some treats inside. Let your pet explore on their own terms. Take short car rides to build positive associations — ending each one with a treat or playtime.

For cats especially, a carrier that feels safe can make the difference between a manageable move and a full-blown meltdown. A hard-sided carrier with a removable top works well because you can lift the lid at the vet or in a new room without dragging your cat out.

2 weeks before: update IDs and start packing strategically

Order new ID tags with your updated address and phone number. If your pet is microchipped, update the registration online — this is your responsibility, not your vet's. According to the American Humane Association, microchipped pets are returned to their owners significantly more often than those without chips, but only if the contact info is current.

Start packing rooms your pet doesn't use much. Keep their "home base" — the room where they eat, sleep, and hang out — as normal as possible for as long as possible. Pack that room last.

1 week before: prep the new home

If you can, visit your new place before move-in day. Walk your dog around the new neighborhood so the smells start to feel familiar. For cats, bring a blanket or towel that smells like home and place it in the room where you'll set them up first.

Pet-proof the new space: check for toxic plants, secure loose cords, make sure windows have screens, and verify that the yard fence (if applicable) doesn't have gaps a determined escape artist could exploit.

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Moving day: keeping pets safe when everything is chaos

Moving day is the highest-risk moment for pets. Doors are propped open, strangers are carrying furniture, and the entire house smells like cardboard and stress. Here's how to keep things under control.

Option 1: get your pet out of the house

The simplest solution is often the best one. If a friend, family member, or doggy daycare can watch your pet for the day, take them up on it. Your pet gets a calm, normal day while you handle the chaos.

Option 2: create a safe room

If boarding isn't an option, designate one room as the pet zone. Put their bed, water, food, toys, and litter box (for cats) inside. Tape a sign on the door: "PET INSIDE — DO NOT OPEN." Play soft music or white noise to mask the sounds of movers stomping through the house.

Pack this room last and unpack it first at the new place. For more moving-day sanity, check out our tips for a stress-free moving day.

Keep essentials accessible

Pack a "first day" bag for your pet, just like you would for yourself. Include food and water bowls, a day's worth of food, medications, waste bags, a leash, their favorite toy, and any comfort items. You don't want to be digging through boxes at 9 p.m. trying to find the dog food.

Helping your pet adjust to a new home

Most dogs take about three weeks to fully settle into a new home. Cats can take longer — sometimes two to three months. The RSPCA refers to this as the "Rule of Three": three days to decompress, three weeks to learn routines, three months to feel truly at home.

Dogs: routine is everything

Walk your dog at the same times you always have. Feed them on the same schedule. If possible, take a few days off work after the move so your dog isn't suddenly alone in a strange house. Start with short absences and build up gradually.

Explore the new neighborhood together. Let your dog sniff every fire hydrant, every tree, every questionable thing on the sidewalk. This is how they map their new world.

Cats: slow and steady wins

Set your cat up in one room with everything they need: litter box, food, water, a hiding spot, and familiar-smelling items. Let them own that room for a few days before gradually opening up more of the house. Rushing this process almost always backfires.

Even if your cat goes outdoors at your old place, keep them inside for at least a full month. Cats are incredibly place-oriented and have been known to try walking back to their previous home — even across miles of unfamiliar territory.

Small pets, birds, and exotics

Rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, and fish all have specific transport needs. The common thread: minimize temperature swings, keep their enclosure covered or secure during transport, and set up their habitat at the new place as close to the original setup as possible. For fish, transport them in sealed bags with tank water and re-acclimate slowly.

Dogs vs. cats: how moving affects them differently

What most moving-with-pets guides miss

Updating your pet's prescriptions

If your pet is on flea/tick prevention, heartworm medication, or any ongoing prescription, make sure you have enough to last through the move and the time it takes to get established with a new vet. Lapses in heartworm prevention can be dangerous, especially if you're moving to a warmer climate.

Finding a new vet before you need one

Don't wait until there's an emergency. Research vets in your new area before you move, read reviews, and confirm they're accepting new patients. Have your current vet transfer records. Also locate the nearest emergency animal hospital — you'll want that number saved in your phone on day one.

Pet deposits and breed restrictions

If you're renting, confirm your new landlord's pet policy in writing. Some buildings have weight limits, breed restrictions, or require additional deposits. A letter from your current vet or landlord vouching for your pet can help if the policy is borderline.

The emotional side

Pets aren't the only ones who get stressed during a move. If you're feeling overwhelmed, your pet is probably picking up on it. Take breaks. Go for a walk with your dog. Sit on the floor with your cat. Moving is temporary; your bond with your pet isn't.

When to call in backup

Here's the thing about moving with pets: you can't carry a couch and hold a leash at the same time. If you're handling the move yourself, having a pet and zero extra hands is a recipe for disaster.

That's exactly the kind of situation where booking movers through Lugg can save the day. Your Lugg movers handle the heavy lifting while you focus on keeping your pet calm and out of the way. You can book same-day in most major cities, so even if your move sneaks up on you, you're covered.

Frequently asked questions about moving with pets

How long does it take a dog to adjust to a new home?

Most dogs take about three weeks to fully adjust to a new home, according to the RSPCA's "Rule of Three" framework. The first three days are the hardest as your dog decompresses. Over the next three weeks, they learn new routines. By three months, they typically feel completely at home.

How do I keep my cat calm during a move?

Confine your cat to one quiet room on moving day with their litter box, food, water, and familiar items. Use a Feliway pheromone diffuser to reduce stress. At the new home, set them up in a single room and gradually expand their access over several days. Avoid letting them outside for at least a month.

Should I sedate my pet for moving day?

Talk to your vet first. Sedation can be appropriate for highly anxious pets, but it's not right for every animal. Many vets recommend starting with calming supplements, pheromone products, or anti-anxiety medication before resorting to full sedation. Never give your pet human medications without veterinary guidance.

Do I need a health certificate to move my pet to a new state?

Many states require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) issued within 10 days of arrival. Some states, like Hawaii, have strict quarantine requirements. Check your destination state's Department of Agriculture website for specific rules, and schedule your vet visit accordingly.

How do I move with a fish tank?

Transport fish in sealed bags with water from their current tank. Drain the tank but keep the filter media wet to preserve beneficial bacteria. At the new home, set up the tank first, acclimate the fish slowly by floating the bags in the tank water, and test water parameters before releasing them.

Can movers handle moves that involve pets?

Professional movers handle your furniture and boxes — not your pets. But having movers means you can focus entirely on your pet during the move instead of juggling both. Services like Lugg let you book same-day movers in over 500 U.S. cities, so your hands are free to keep your furry friend safe and calm.

What should I put in a pet moving-day kit?

Pack food and water bowls, a day's worth of food, medications, waste bags, a leash, a favorite toy or blanket, your pet's medical records, and contact info for your current and new vet. Keep this bag in your car — not on the moving truck.

When it comes to moving with pets..

Moving with pets takes more planning than moving without them, but it doesn't have to be a nightmare. Start early, keep routines as normal as possible, and give your pet time to adjust at their own pace. And if you need someone to handle the heavy stuff while you handle the furry stuff, Lugg's got you.