How to minimise the impact of moving on your pets

Moving house can be a highly stressful task for you.

But don’t forget that it can also be a very difficult time for your pets.

Dogs and cats often like their familiar spaces and routines and can become stressed and anxious when changes occur to those.

Therefore, moving house can be a traumatic time for pets – from packing up your current place to moving into new surrounds.

Here is some advice to follow, which can help minimise the impact of moving on your pets.

Before you move

You want to create as little disruption to your pets as possible as you begin the process of packing up your house.

Packing up room by room can be a good way to do this, leaving the family areas and backyard which are most frequented by your pet until last.

If access is permitted and a visit is suitable for your particular pet, consider a calm introduction to the new property with familiar items. Ask your vet when uncertain.

This can help dogs and cats become more familiar and comfortable in the new environment before the big move.

In preparation for your move, also be sure to update your pet’s microchip information with your new address details.

If you have a dog then another thing to make sure of is that your new fences are dog-proof and that there are no plants in your new backyard that are toxic for dogs.

On moving day

For moving day, consider asking a friend or family member to look after your pet for the day.

With so many people coming and going from your house, it is best not to have your pet at home with you on this day as it can cause a lot of stress and anxiousness for them and they could be injured if they get in the way.

If it is not possible to hand your furry friend off to a friend or family member, keep them confined in a secure room with some of their favourite possessions, as far away from the hustle and bustle as possible.

After you move

Be patient with your pet as they settle in to their new surroundings.

Housetrained dogs may have an accident inside or dogs that have moved past their digging stage might suddenly dig a hole in your new lawn.

Behaviour can change around a move, but do not assume a health or behaviour concern has only one cause. Seek veterinary advice when concerned.

Arrange supervision and outdoor access appropriate to the species, individual animal and property. Ask your vet about a suitable settling plan rather than relying on a universal number of days.

Getting back into a regular routine as soon as possible will help minimise the impact of moving on your pet.

For dogs, make sure you get back on regular meal and walk times straight away and take some breaks from unpacking to give your furry friend plenty of attention.

Best movers near me

If you are preparing yourself and your pets for a big move, we can help.

At Fragile Removals & Storage, we are trusted and reliable moving professionals who can help take the stress out of your move.

We offer services across Australia, with branches in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Sydney.

For a competitive quote, contact us today on 1800 500 584

Plan the pet's transition separately from the goods

Identify the person responsible for the pet at each stage: packing, collection, travel and arrival. Confirm that person's availability and keep contact details accessible. A furniture booking does not establish a live-animal transport arrangement, and general household storage should not be assumed to accept pets.

List the familiar items and care information the responsible person needs. Keep those items accessible rather than placing them in an unidentified box. For animals with particular care or travel needs, seek advice from your vet or an appropriate specialist before choosing the arrangement. This page does not prescribe medication, sedation or a transport enclosure for an unknown animal.

Preserve a suitable quiet area while packing

Use the room-by-room approach to keep a familiar space available for as long as practical. Avoid turning every part of the home into an active packing area at once. Make sure the pet still has the essentials and supervision appropriate to it while the household works.

Tell helpers which door or area must stay secure and who may open it. If that room needs to be emptied, arrange the next suitable location first. A sign can remind people, but it does not replace someone being responsible for the animal.

Keep the moving route separate from the pet's area, including the path through exterior doors and gates. Revise the arrangement if the crew needs access to a room you had intended to reserve. See moving with pets for the broader care and registration checklist.

Give a temporary carer a complete handover

Confirm where the pet will stay, when it will be collected and what happens if the move runs late. Provide the relevant routine and contact details, and make sure the carer understands any instructions established with your vet. Do not rely on a brief handover while the removal crew is waiting at the door.

If the pet will travel with you, plan that journey as its own task. Check the requirements of any transport provider or destination involved. Keep the pet's location and responsible person clear if household members travel separately.

Check the destination before the pet arrives

Inspect gates, fencing and the intended indoor area. Prevent access to suspected hazards and get suitable advice about anything you cannot identify, including plants. Obtain any required property permission before making changes to the garden or building.

Prepare familiar bedding or other appropriate items in the agreed area. Keep the animal supervised while furniture is being brought through open doors. Allow the settling arrangement to suit the individual pet rather than assuming all dogs or cats respond in the same way.

Monitor the transition and update the practical records

Return to ordinary routines as circumstances allow and pay attention to concerns that need veterinary advice. A general moving article cannot diagnose an accident indoors, unusual digging, hiding or another change. If you are worried, contact the relevant professional rather than waiting for an arbitrary settling deadline.

Update the applicable microchip and registration records through their own processes, along with veterinary and carer contact information. Use the change-of-address checklist to track these alongside household accounts. Updating a postal address alone does not update every pet record.

If delivery is delayed, revise the pet-care booking separately and tell the carer or transport provider promptly. Keep a suitable plan in place until the receiving home is ready. The moving checklist can show the dependency without mixing the animal's care instructions into the removal inventory.

Should every pet visit the new home before moving day?

No. A preliminary visit depends on permission to enter, the animal’s needs and whether the visit is suitable. Ask your vet if uncertain rather than assuming it helps every pet. Where appropriate, plan a calm introduction with familiar items and a responsible person, keeping it separate from busy removal activity. At home, packing one area at a time can preserve a familiar space for longer. Confirm the actual travel and arrival plan independently of any optional visit.

Should I assume a behaviour change is just moving stress?

No. A general moving article cannot determine why an animal is behaving differently or whether a health problem is present. Seek veterinary advice if its health or behaviour concerns you, and follow an individual settling plan rather than a fixed number of days. Keep appropriate familiar items, care information and a responsible person available during the transition. Review the security and suitability of the new space while the household unpacks, without treating a routine change as an explanation for every concern.

What should I confirm with a temporary carer?

Agree where the pet will stay, handover and collection times, the relevant care instructions and how to contact you. Provide the animal’s identification and information the carer needs, including any instructions established with your vet. Discuss what happens if moving or delivery is delayed and confirm the carer’s availability for that possibility. Keep the pet’s supplies separate from household cartons. A clear handover prevents the care plan depending on a hurried conversation while furniture is being loaded.

How can I preserve a quiet space while packing?

Work through rooms in stages and keep a suitable familiar area available for as long as practical. Tell helpers which doors or gates must stay secure and who is responsible for the pet. Keep its immediate needs and familiar belongings accessible. If the crew needs that room or the route changes, arrange another suitable location before opening the area to moving activity. A sign can remind helpers, but it does not replace an assigned person supervising the arrangement.

Which practical tasks matter after arrival?

Check the intended area, gates and other escape points before the pet is handed over, and prevent access to suspected hazards while seeking appropriate advice. Keep the animal away from unloading routes and follow its agreed settling and care plan. Update relevant microchip, council and veterinary contact records rather than assuming your own address change updates them. Keep the responsible person and familiar supplies available as household routines resume, and obtain veterinary advice about any concern.