How to Prepare Your Pets for an Upcoming Move
July 2025
You’ve set a moving date, hired resources, arranged for mail forwarding and scheduled the transfer of your
utilities, but have you considered what you are going to do with your pets during your upcoming relocation? For
these furry and feathered family members, moving can be a very stressful experience, and there are things
that pet owners can do to prepare their pets for an upcoming relocation.
- Make it fun. Pets, especially dogs and cats, can easily detect change. If you are a pet owner, you have
probably experienced the anxiety or sadness that occurs in your pet when a suitcase gets pulled out of
the closet. The presence of moving boxes can have the same effect, but creating a fun and positive
experience, for example giving them a treat when they show interest in a box, may help alleviate some
of their anxiety.
- Keep your routine in place. Moving can be a busy time for you and your family and sometimes the
care of pets can be easily overlooked. Be sure to set aside time to spend with your pet each day and
continue their regular walks and feeding schedules. Maintaining this routine is an important step in
helping your pets feel safe and secure during this time of transition.
- Don’t forget health and wellness. If you are moving across country with your pets, you’ll need to
transition from your current veterinarian to a new provider. It’s a good idea to schedule a
comprehensive exam with your current vet to ensure your pet is up-to-date with vaccinations and is
healthy enough to complete the upcoming move. Before your move, research providers near your new
home, and at the very least identify emergency clinics in case you need to take your pet in prior to
scheduling the next wellness visit with their new vet.
- Update identification and microchip information. Taking preventive measures to ensure your pet
has the proper identification can make it easier to find them, should they get out at any time during the
relocation. Be sure to update any identification and microchip information prior to the move so you can
be reached right away if your pet is found while you are in transit or after you have arrived at your new
home. Also, make sure your pet has it’s identification tags on during the entire move.
- Establish a transportation plan. If you are planning to drive to your new home, make sure your pets
are comfortable and secure throughout the entire journey. Schedule regular breaks at pet-friendly
locations so they can stretch their legs, eat or go to the bathroom. Also, if the trip will take multiple
days, research pet-friendly hotels in advance so you don’t have to spend time looking for
accommodations while on the road. If you plan to fly, it’s important to check your airline for their pet
policies, schedule and pay for transporting your pet, and confirm your travel details 48-hours in
advance to make sure nothing has changed.
For more tips on how to make your next move easier on your pets, read the
extensive guide featured on United
Van Lines website.
