Pets Pick Up on Chaos Faster Than You Do
Pets pick up on chaos faster than you do. Boxes appearing, routines wobbling, strangers in the house — by moving day they are already unsettled. A bit of planning makes a big difference. Here is what works for the most common UK pets.
Before You Move: The Slow Setup
- Update your microchip details — a legal requirement for dogs, and from 2024 for cats in England
- Update collars and ID tags with the new address and your phone number
- Find a vet near the new house and transfer registration
- Check pet insurance is up to date and reflects the new postcode
- Order any prescription meds early — gives a buffer if delivery slips
Dogs: Routine Matters More Than Anything
Dogs cope with change reasonably well if their routine stays consistent. In the week before:
- Keep walks at the same time of day
- Do not change food brands the week of the move
- Let them sniff a few empty boxes — turns the strangeness into normal
- Keep one bed or blanket unwashed until moving day so it smells of home
On moving day
- Best option — doggy day care or a friend's house
- Second best — one room in the house with their bed, water, a favourite toy, door closed, "do not open" sign for the crew
- Avoid — dogs loose during loading; open doors, strange men, escape risk
At the new house
- Walk them around the outside of the house and garden first
- Then bring them in to their room with familiar bedding
- Stick to feeding and walk times for the first 2 weeks
- Expect some unsettled behaviour for a few days — it passes
Cats: The Trickier Ones
Cats hate change. They also tend to disappear when stressed, which is the worst possible outcome on moving day.
Before the move
- Leave the carrier out for 2 to 3 weeks before the move with a familiar blanket inside — they get used to it
- Update microchip and tag
- For long journeys, talk to your vet about mild sedation if needed
On moving day
- Confine the cat to one closed room from first thing in the morning — bedroom usually works
- Put their carrier, litter tray, water, food and a familiar blanket in there
- Put a clear sign on the door: "Cat inside, do not open"
- Move them in your car, not the van
At the new house
- Set up one room with their litter, food, water, bed and carrier
- Keep them in that room for 3 to 7 days while they adjust
- Slowly let them explore the rest of the house
- For outdoor cats, keep them inside for 2 to 3 weeks before letting them outside; butter on the paws is a myth, but feeding them at consistent times helps them come home
Cats can travel for miles back to their old house if let out too soon. This is the most common moving-day pet disaster.
Small Animals: Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters
Smaller pets are easier in some ways — they live in a cage. The trick is reducing stress.
- Move them in their normal cage if possible (no transferring to carriers)
- Travel in your car, not the van
- Keep them in a quiet, temperature-stable space
- Avoid changing food brands around the move
- Settle them in a quiet room at the new house for the first week before placing in their permanent spot
Hamsters in particular are stressed by handling — leave them in their cage with a snack and check on them quietly.
Fish: The Trickiest
Fish moves are technical. For short distances (under 30 minutes):
- Move them in their own water in sealed bags or buckets with lids
- Keep them in the dark to reduce stress
- Drain most of the tank water; transport plants and decor wet in buckets
- Set up the tank as soon as possible at the new house using as much original water as you can keep
- Test water parameters before reintroducing fish
For longer distances or larger tanks (over 100 litres), consider a specialist aquatic mover. Stress and temperature shock are the main killers.
Birds, Reptiles and Other Exotics
- Move in their normal cage or vivarium if possible
- Maintain temperature — battery-powered heat mats are useful for reptiles
- Keep them covered to reduce stress
- Travel in your car
- Set up their habitat at the new place before you bring them in if possible
The First 2 Weeks at the New House
Across all pets, the principles are the same:
- Familiar bedding, smells and toys from day one
- Same food, same brand
- Consistent feeding and walk times
- Calm, predictable routines
- Plenty of patience for any out-of-character behaviour
Most pets settle within 2 to 4 weeks. If your pet shows ongoing signs of stress (refusing food, hiding constantly, toilet accidents in cats), talk to your vet.
Quick Checklist
- Microchip and ID tag updated
- Vet registered at new address
- Pets travel in your car, not the van
- Confine pets to one room on moving day
- Familiar bedding and toys at the new house
- Cats indoors for 2 to 3 weeks at the new property
- Routine kept consistent
Want a Calm Moving Day So You Can Focus on Your Pets?
Use our calculator to budget for a smooth, professional move — and our vetting guide to find a crew used to working calmly around pets.