Moving with pets
Moving House With Pets
A practical UK guide to moving dogs, cats and small animals safely — vet and microchip admin, reducing anxiety, travel and settling in.
Pets notice a move before you do
Boxes appearing, furniture moving and doors left open are all stressful for animals. The good news is that most of the stress is avoidable with a little planning: keep routines steady, keep pets out of the loading area, and give them one familiar, quiet space at each end of the move.
Our crews are used to pet households — we work with doors managed, keep the loading route clear and can leave one room until last so your animals have somewhere calm to stay.
Advice by animal
Dogs
- Keep walks and feeding times unchanged in the run-up
- Pack their bed, bowls and toys last so the routine stays visible
- Travel harnessed or crated, with a walk before you set off
- Walk the new neighbourhood on day one to build a routine
Cats
- Leave the carrier out open for a week before the move
- Keep them indoors for a day or two before moving day
- Set up a quiet room first with litter tray, food and bedding
- Keep them inside for two to three weeks at the new home
Small pets, birds and fish
- Move them last off the van and unpack them first
- Cover cages partially to reduce stress from movement
- Carry fish in insulated containers of existing tank water
- Keep reptiles warm and ventilated throughout the journey
Your pet moving timeline
4 weeks before
Update microchip and vet records, and register with a vet near the new address.
2 weeks before
Order a new collar tag, stock up on food and refill any medication.
1 week before
Leave carriers out, keep routines steady and book kennels, a cattery or a pet sitter for the day.
Moving day
Keep pets away from the loading area, travel with them yourself, and take water and breaks.
Arrival
Set up one quiet pet room before the van is unloaded, with familiar bedding and bowls.
First fortnight
Keep feeding times unchanged, introduce rooms gradually and keep cats indoors.
Moving with pets: FAQs
Should my pet be in the house on moving day?
Ideally not. The safest option is a friend, family member or a day at kennels or a cattery. If your pet must stay, keep them in one empty, closed room with water, bedding and a clear sign on the door so movers do not open it.
Do I need to update my pet's microchip when I move?
Yes. UK law requires microchip details to be kept up to date. Update your address with the microchip database and your vet as soon as your move date is confirmed, and fit a collar tag with your new address and phone number.
How do I keep a cat calm during a move?
Keep the cat indoors for a day or two beforehand, use a familiar carrier left open in advance, bring unwashed bedding to carry familiar scent, and set up one quiet room in the new home before letting them explore further.
How long before a cat can go outside at the new house?
Most vets recommend keeping a cat indoors for two to three weeks so it treats the new home as its base, then letting it out shortly before a meal so it has a reason to come back.
Can removal companies transport pets?
No. Pets should never travel in a removals van — it is unsafe and not insured. Pets travel with you in the car, secured in a carrier or with a harness, with breaks and water on longer journeys.
What about fish, reptiles and small animals?
Move them last and unpack them first. Transport small animals in their carriers with familiar bedding, move fish in insulated containers of their own tank water, and keep reptiles warm with a heat pack in a ventilated travel tub.
Planning a move with pets?
Tell us your dates and we will plan the load so your animals stay calm and out of the way.