9 Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe and Comfortable During a Move

Moving is different for pet owners—after all, you’ll have your fur babies in tow. But it’s OK, with plenty of planning and prep work, you can calm their anxiety. 

These tips help keep your pets safe and comfortable during air or ground travel so you can rest easier knowing you’ve taken care of everything they need.

1. Confirm Your Housing Details 

Although you’ve found the perfect apartment for your lifestyle, always check the pet policies because many restrict reptiles, exotic animals, and certain breeds. Make sure you confirm in your lease that your pet is allowed and under what terms. You’ll also want to verify pet deposits, pet rent, or pet fees required before move-in day. 

The same goes if you’re moving into a rental house. Communicate your pet’s exact details with your landlord and clarify what the landlord expects from you and your pet. For instance, they might require additional cleaning before you move out.

Before signing a sale contract on a new house, check local laws and your Homeowners’ Association about pet ownership in your new city and neighborhood.

2. Research Airlines’ Pet Travel Policies, If Applicable 

If you think flying your pet is the best way to move, research the airlines’ pet travel policies well in advance, especially for international travel. Compare multiple airlines, as they each have their own pet policy. 

Amelia Wieber, CPDT-KA, CCBC, owner of Caring Behavior Animal Behavior Consulting and advisory board member at Daily Paws recommends doing thorough research, especially if you’re putting your pet in cargo. 

“Reach out to the specific airline and ask about temperature control and all safety precautions they take to be sure your pet arrives safely,” she says. “I would also ask to take a tour, if possible. 

“It can be a very loud and scary experience for your pet,” she continues. “But airlines will usually not let your pet fly if they are on sedatives since no one is there to monitor them during the flight. You may want to talk to your vet about other safe anxiolytic options that should be tested prior to the flight to watch for any adverse reactions.”

If you’re flying with a pet, here are some more things you’ll need to think about: 

• Fees

• Size, weight, and breed restrictions

• Crate and carrier requirements

• Heat and summer travel bans 

• Layovers

• Water, food, and comfort items 

3. Practice Secure Travel With Your Pet

Photo: EdNurg / Adobe Stock

If your dog or cat hasn’t used a crate or pet seat belt, plan for plenty of time to practice. Crate training takes some time to perfect. Your fur baby might learn to love the comfort of the travel crate, but only if you start early, so they can get used to the change. 

Crate Training 

Wieber offers these tips for successful crate training and happy pets and humans.

“First just get your pet used to seeing the carrier out and about the home,” Wieber says. “If they are already fearful of it, take the top off if you can so it's just a bed shape. Leave treats in there for your pet to find and a cozy bed. Once they are comfortable going into the carrier for treats, you can begin to start feeding meals in there and eventually closing the door for brief moments and slowly build duration.”

Wieber emphasizes that it's important to make sure you never push your pet to the point of concern during this training.

“If this is a carrier that you will be carrying like for a cat or small dog, you will also want to practice pairing picking the carrier up with getting treats,” she says. “The last step is to make short trips in the car to get your pet used to the feeling of movement. If they drool or vomit, you can talk to your vet about remedies for that.” 

Leslie Sinn, CPDT-KA, DVM Specialist in Behavior and Daily Paws advisory board member, adds, “the bottom line for any pet is that they must be used to staying comfortably in their carrier or kennel. No attempts should be made to close the pet in until it is voluntarily entering on its own.”

Pet Seat Belts 

Pet seat belts are a safe way to travel with your dog if a crate is too large for your car. Give yourself and your pup time to get familiar with the straps and harness. Practice driving short distances first, and then ease into longer distances. Test drives are a good way to find out if your furry friend is prone to car sickness, too.

4. Talk With Your Veterinarian

Connect with your vet to talk about any ongoing issues your pet has and how to continue care in the future. Let your new vet know your arrival plans and share your contact information and your pet’s picture in case of an emergency. 

Talk to your vet about these topics before you travel:

• Vaccines and microchip contact information

• Medical record release 

• Medication refills

• Health certificates for international travel

• Travel tips 

• Anxiety concerns

5. Keep Your Pet’s Routines

Your fur baby thrives on routine and knowing what to expect, so keep up with their daily walks (and don’t forget to pick up after your dog), feeding times, and other everyday activities. The routine helps them know they’re still loved and protected even though there are so many moving boxes.

Sinn advises sticking to a regular schedule and providing plenty of exercise and one-on-one interaction each day. It’s also helpful to bring a favorite blanket or bed from the previous home for extra comfort. She suggests talking to your vet about calming pheromones such as CEVA's Adaptil for dogs or Feliway for cats—they may help your pets adjust faster. 

6. Find a Safe Space for Move-Out Day

Ask a friend for a playdate or find temporary care for your pet during move-out day. The commotion will likely stress out your pet. The constant opening and closing of doors also invites door dashers to make their great escape. 

7. Prepare for Your Pet’s Car Travel

It’s never been easier to travel long and short distances with pets. There are plenty of pet-friendly hotels to choose from, and pet travel gear has come a long way. But one moving tip has stayed true: Always have accurate contact info on their ID tags or collars. 

Double Check Your Hotel Reservations 

Many hotels advertise they’re pet-friendly, but it's up to each property to define pet-friendly. They could restrict their welcome by the dog’s weight, the kind of animal, or if the pet needs crating while you are out of the room. Call to confirm the rules and how much pet fee you’ll pay. 

Load Your Pet’s Travel Supplies

Your pet might not need every item, but here’s a list to help you remember. 

• Travel food and water bowls

• Bottled water 

• Food and treats

• Leash and collar 

• Medications

• Seat belt

• Crate

• Comfort items

• Cleaning supplies for accidents 

8. Stay Attuned to Your Pet’s Needs

While you might want to book it down the interstate and drive the 18-hour journey all in one go, you need to be attentive to your fur baby. 

Keep Your Pets Comfy During the Drive

Give your pet as much space as possible if they’re using a seat belt. They need room to rest comfortably without packed items tumbling down. If they use a bed or blanket, tuck it with them in their seat. Their favorite toys also help keep them calm. 

Check the backseat speakers and heat and air vents. Are they positioned right where your pets lie? Less noise and discomfort could help them relax faster. 

Increase Your Pit Stops 

After riding for hours, you’ll probably want a break, and your pet does too. You might even need to plan for more breaks than usual for your pet to get exercise or let their tummies settle. Water and some playtime help break up the day. If you have the time, stop at a pet-friendly store like Petsmart to give everyone a change of scenery. 

9. Help Them Adjust

Before you let your pet explore their new yard, make sure the fence is secure. You don’t want your pet lost in a new neighborhood.

Show them around your house and set up their living arrangements first so they begin to feel comfortable. Once they find their beds, toys, and food bowls, they’ll start to recognize their new home. Add in walks and playtime, and they’ll adjust to their new life right alongside you. 

“Create a ‘safe zone’ for your pet, an area or room where you have their familiar bed and toys,” Wieber says. “For cats, I recommend a separate room where you can put a few cat trees, cozy resting places, litter boxes, food, and water. Once your pet is comfortably set up in their safe zone, you can allow them to explore the home when they are ready. For cats, this may take a few days if not a week or more.” 

Wieber also recommends taking a day or two off work to make sure your pets feel safe before leaving them alone in the new house.