MOVING TIPS
Moving with Pets: How to Keep Your Furry Family Safe and Calm
A little planning keeps your dog, cat or other pet safe on moving day and helps them feel at home faster.
Pets don’t know why the couch is wrapped in plastic or why strangers are carrying boxes out the front door. They just know their world is changing. For dogs, cats and small animals, all that noise and activity can be stressful, and moving day is one of the most common times for a nervous pet to slip out an open door.
The good news is that most of the stress can be planned away. A vet visit, updated ID, a quiet spot on moving day and a steady routine go a long way. We love seeing the family dog greet us at the door, and we also know how important it is to keep pets safely out of the way while the crew works.
Here are the tips we share with pet owners before every move. One important note up front: movers can’t transport animals on the truck, so plan for your pets to travel with you. While you take care of your four-legged family, A & M Friendly Movers can take care of the furniture and boxes.
Our Top Tips for Moving with Pets
1. Schedule a Vet Visit Early
Book a checkup a few weeks before the move. Ask for copies of your pet’s records and vaccination history, and make sure any refills are handled before you go. If your pet gets anxious or carsick, or if you have a long drive ahead, talk to your vet about what’s right for your animal. If you’re moving out of the area, ask for a recommendation for a new vet near your new home.
2. Update ID Tags and Microchips
Before moving day, put a tag on your pet’s collar with your cell phone number, since your home number or address may be changing. Call the microchip company or log in to their site to update your contact details and new address. It only takes a few minutes, and it’s the best way to get a lost pet back quickly if they wander in a new neighborhood they don’t know yet.
3. Keep the Routine Steady
Pets take comfort in the familiar. Keep feeding times, walks and play sessions as normal as you can in the weeks before and after the move. Bring out carriers or crates early and leave them open with a treat or blanket inside, so they become a safe spot instead of a scary one. Try not to wash your pet’s bedding right before the move, since the familiar smell helps.
4. Use a Closed Room or a Sitter
On moving day, doors will be open for hours. The safest plan is to have pets stay with a friend, sitter or boarding facility for the day. If they stay home, pick one empty room, add food, water, a bed, toys and a litter box, then close the door and tape a sign on it that says the pet is inside. Let our crew know so no one opens it by mistake.
5. Plan the Trip Ahead
Pets ride with you, not on the moving truck. Cats and small animals should travel in a secure carrier, and dogs do best in a crate or with a car harness. Pack water, food, bowls, waste bags, a leash and any medications where you can reach them. On longer drives, plan regular stops and check ahead that your hotel accepts pets. Never leave a pet alone in a parked car.
6. Help Them Settle In
When you arrive, set up one quiet room first with your pet’s bed, bowls, toys and litter box, and let them explore the rest of the house a little at a time. Walk dogs on a leash around the new neighborhood so they learn the smells. Keep cats indoors for a while as they adjust. Check fences, gates and screens for gaps before letting anyone roam in the yard.
Quick Checklist for Pet Owners
Pack a Pet Essentials Bag
Put food for a few days, bowls, treats, a leash, waste bags, litter and a scoop, a favorite toy, bedding and any medications in one bag. Keep it in your car so you can take care of your pet before the first box is opened.
Keep Records Handy
Carry a copy of vaccination records, your vet's contact information and a recent photo of your pet. If your pet gets lost or needs care on the road, you'll have everything you need right there on your phone or in the glove box.
Pet-Proof the New Home
Before pets arrive, walk through the new house and look for loose screens, gaps under fences, cords, pest traps or small items on the floor. Tuck away cleaning products and keep toilet lids down until you know every room is safe.
Look Up Local Pet Rules
Check your new town, apartment or HOA rules on pet licenses, leash laws and breed or size limits. If you're renting, get pet approval in writing before you sign. It saves a lot of stress to know the rules before move-in day.
Moving with Pets FAQs
No. Moving trucks aren’t safe for animals, and we can’t transport pets, fish tanks with fish, or any other live animals. Plan for your pets to ride with you in your own car, secured in a carrier, crate or harness. If you’re moving long distance and can’t drive, talk to your vet about safe options for getting your pet to the new home.
That’s a question for your vet. Every animal is different, and what’s safe depends on your pet’s age, size and health. Bring it up at your pre-move checkup, especially if your pet gets anxious, carsick or has a long trip ahead. Your vet can recommend what’s right for your pet, so don’t guess or share another pet’s medication.
The safest spot is away from the action, with a friend, sitter or boarding facility. If your pet stays home, keep them in a closed room with food, water and a bed, and put a sign on the door. Tell our crew leader when we arrive. Learn more about what to expect on moving day so you can plan.
Fish and other live animals need to move with you, not on the truck. Talk to a local pet store or aquarium expert about the best way to transport your fish safely. Once the tank is completely emptied, cleaned and dry, our crew can pack and move the empty tank and stand like any other piece of furniture.
It varies. Some pets settle in within a few days, while others, especially cats and older animals, may take a few weeks. Keep their routine steady, give them a quiet space of their own and be patient. If your pet stops eating, hides for a long time or seems unwell, call your vet.
Absolutely. A & M Friendly Movers offers full or partial packing and unpacking, and we can deliver boxes and supplies right to your door. Furniture disassembly, reassembly and wrapping are included at no extra cost, which frees up your time and attention for your pets.
Focus on Your Pets. We'll Handle the Rest.
Your pets need you on moving day. Let A & M Friendly Movers take care of the packing, lifting and loading. Our background-checked, W-2 crews wrap and protect your furniture and treat your home with care. Call 717-434-6711 or request your free quote, and an owner or our office will get back to you quickly with a plan for your move.
Ready to start your stress-free move? Contact us today to Get a free moving quote and let the A & M family make your moving experience a delightful one!