How to move house with cats and dogs stress-free

Quick summary

• Cats and dogs react to moving in different ways. Cats depend a lot on familiar smells and their territory, while dogs pick up on your routine and how you act.
• Since 10 June 2024, it's a legal requirement in England to microchip cats as well as dogs, and to keep the registered contact details up to date whenever you move house.
• Pheromone diffusers can help, but they need time to take effect. Plug them in a few days before the move instead of waiting until moving day.
• Setting up a quiet, familiar room away from the busy packing area is one of the easiest and best ways to keep your pet comfortable on moving day.
• Choosing a removals company that is used to working with pets, or hiring a pet transport service for longer moves, can make things much less stressful for everyone.

Moving house is already one of the most stressful things you can do, and it gets even harder when your pet is confused and anxious as their world is packed away. Pets don’t know what’s going on. They see new people coming and going, familiar smells fading, and their owners looking stressed. Even the calmest cat or dog can get unsettled by all this.

The good news is that with some planning, moving with pets can be much easier for everyone. This guide explains what to do before, during, and after your move, with practical tips based on UK rules, vet advice, and real moving experiences.

Why is moving house so stressful for cats and dogs?

Moving upsets the two things pets need most: familiar smells and a steady routine. Cats are very territorial, and dogs notice when their owners are stressed. Both can start feeling anxious even before the move begins.

Cats rely heavily on scent and familiar surroundings, so an environment filled with boxes, unfamiliar people and changing smells can feel unsettling. Dogs, on the other hand, are less territorial but far more emotionally tuned in to their owners. If you're stressed, rushing about and speaking in a sharper tone than usual, your dog will notice and often mirror that anxiety back at you.

Knowing the difference between cats and dogs is important because it affects how you get ready. Cats need their space managed carefully, while dogs need you to stay calm and keep routines steady. We’ll go into detail for both, and if you’re also handling the rest of the move, our moving house checklist can help you stay organised in the final week.

How can I make moving house less stressful for my cat?

To move house with a cat, keep her in one familiar room with her usual bedding, litter tray, and familiar smells until the last moment. Then, move her in a secure carrier and keep her indoors at the new home for at least three to four weeks.

Before moving day: keep your cat’s routine as normal as you can. Pack up the rest of the house but leave her main room, like a bedroom with the door closed, untouched until the last minute. This gives her a safe place while everything else changes.

On moving day: keep your cat in that one room and put a "do not enter" sign on the door for the movers. Don’t let her out until everything is packed and the front door is closed. Cats that get out during a move are very hard to find, as they often run and hide because of all the confusion.

When you arrive at the new home: don’t let your cat explore the whole house or garden right away. Cats Protection and the RSPCA suggest keeping her in one quiet room for a few days, then slowly letting her explore more as she settles in, eats, and uses the litter tray normally. Only let her outside after she’s settled indoors, usually after three to four weeks, and once her microchip details are updated.

Pro tip: Pack a "cat survival box" with her litter tray, a blanket that smells like home, food, water bowls, and a few favourite toys. Label it clearly so you can unpack it first, instead of searching through boxes later. Our tips for moving house include more practical ways to make moving day run smoothly.

How can I make moving house less stressful for my dog?

To move house with a dog, keep her walk and feeding times as normal as possible. Stay calm during packing, and keep her in a safe, quiet place while the movers are loading the van.

In the weeks before moving: walk your dog at the usual times and try not to rush meals or skip routines, even if you’re busy packing. Dogs notice changes quickly, and disruption or stress can make some dogs behave differently or respond less reliably to familiar cues.

On moving day: an open front door and lots of people coming and going can make it easy for a dog to run outside. Blue Cross and Dogs Trust recommend keeping your dog on a lead or in a secure room with the door closed during loading and unloading, instead of relying on recall in a busy, stressful situation.

When you get to the new house: walk your dog around on a lead before letting her off, especially if there’s a garden. Check all fences and gates carefully, as dogs can find gaps you might not notice at first. A quick check before letting her explore is a good idea.

Pro tip: If your dog gets anxious, consider booking her into daycare or asking a friend to look after her on moving day. It might cost a bit more, but it takes away a big source of stress for both you and the movers.

Do I need to update my pet's microchip when I move house?

Yes. Since June 2024, cats in England must be microchipped by law, joining dogs, which have been a legal requirement since 2016, and owners must keep their registered contact details current with the database provider whenever they change address.

This is one of the most commonly overlooked steps in the whole moving process, and it matters far more than people realise. Compulsory microchipping for dogs has applied since 2016, while cats were brought into the compulsory microchipping regime from 10 June 2024 under the Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023.

A microchip only works if your contact details are correct. If your cat or dog goes missing during the move, a vet or rescue centre can only reach you if your address and phone number are up to date in the database.

Updating your details is usually straightforward, although whether there is a charge depends on the microchip database and service you use. You’ll need your pet’s microchip number (from vet records or registration papers) and the name of the approved database your pet is registered with, such as Petlog, Identibase. Most let you update details online in minutes.

Pro tip: Add updating your pet’s microchip details to your moving checklist, along with things like redirecting mail and telling your GP. It only takes a couple of minutes and is easy to forget until you really need it.

How can I keep my pet calm naturally when moving house?

The best starting point is to make moving day feel as familiar and predictable as possible. Rather than introducing something new, focus on the things your pet already associates with feeling safe: their normal routine, familiar people, favourite bedding and toys, and a quiet place away from the disruption.

Avoid washing your pet's bedding immediately before the move. Familiar smells can be reassuring, particularly for cats, so bringing their usual bed or blanket into the new home can help their new surroundings feel less unfamiliar.

Try to keep feeding, walking, playtime and bedtime as close to normal as possible before and after the move. On moving day itself, keep your pet somewhere quiet and secure while doors are open and people are coming and going. Once you arrive, give them time to settle rather than encouraging them to explore everything at once.

If possible, avoid introducing lots of other changes at the same time. Moving week probably isn't the best time for a new diet, new bed or major change to your pet's routine.

What about calming products?

Pheromone diffusers, sprays, collars and supplements are widely marketed for anxious pets, but they aren't essential to a successful move and won't work for every animal. Creating a calm environment and maintaining familiar routines should come first.

Be particularly careful with products marketed as "natural". Natural doesn't automatically mean safe for animals, and some substances, including certain essential oils, can be harmful to cats or dogs. Never give your pet human medication or attempt to sedate them yourself.

If your pet has a history of severe anxiety, struggles with travelling or becomes unusually distressed during the move, speak to your vet. They can recommend an approach appropriate for your individual pet rather than relying on a general calming product.

What pet transportation services are available for moving house?

Pet transport services range from specialist companies handling local journeys to businesses arranging long-distance and international pet relocation. If you're using a removal company, tell them about your pets in advance and ask what arrangements they recommend.

For most local moves in the UK, taking your pet in your own car is usually the easiest and least stressful way, as they stay close to someone they know. For car journeys, keep cats in a secure, well-ventilated carrier and make sure dogs are suitably restrained. Highway Code Rule 57 says animals should be restrained so they cannot distract the driver or cause injury if the vehicle stops suddenly..

For longer moves, or if you don’t have your own transport, there are dedicated pet relocation companies across the UK. They can arrange door-to-door transport and sometimes offer boarding if there’s a gap between homes. This is also helpful if you have several pets, exotic animals, or anything that needs special care, like reptiles or aquariums.

It's worth having this conversation early with whichever removal company you choose, since most general household removal firms won't transport live animals as part of their standard service. Our guide to choosing the right removal company covers some of the other things worth checking before you book. If you're still in the process of comparing quotes, Moving Compared lets you compare quotes from removal companies, so you can ask this exact question before you book and avoid any last-minute surprises about what is and isn't included.

Pro tip: If you’re using a full-service removal company, mention your pets when you ask for a quote, not on moving day. Some companies can work around a pet-free area or change their loading order, but only if they know ahead of time.

What should be in my pet's moving day kit?

Your pet’s moving day kit should have recent vet records, microchip and vaccination papers, a few days’ worth of food and medication, familiar bedding, a secure carrier or lead, and contact details for a vet near your new home.

Having this together in one bag, separate from the general moving boxes, means you're not frantically searching through unlabelled boxes if your pet needs anything urgently on day one in the new house.

It's also worth finding a vet near your new home before you move, particularly if your pet has an ongoing health condition or takes regular medication. Ask your existing practice how records will be transferred and whether you need copies of any prescriptions or treatment information.

If you're moving a reasonable distance, it's worth checking whether your current vet can provide a printed or digital summary of recent treatment history to hand to the new practice, which speeds up the registration process considerably.

How soon can I let my cat outside after moving house?

Most vets and cat charities say to keep your cat indoors for at least two to four weeks after moving. Only let her outside once she’s eating, using the litter tray, and acting calm indoors.

Letting a cat outside too soon after a move is one of the most common reasons cats go missing following a house move. Without an established scent map of the new area, a startled cat can run a considerable distance and struggle to find her way back, particularly in the first few weeks when the new house doesn't yet smell or feel like "home" to her.

When you first allow your cat outside, choose a quiet time and let her explore at her own pace. Letting her out shortly before a normal mealtime may encourage her to return. If your cat is already comfortable wearing a harness, you could use one, but don't introduce a harness for the first time simply because you've moved.

Final thoughts

Moving with pets takes a bit more planning than moving on your own, but none of it is complicated. Keep routines as normal as possible, set up a proper safe room for the moving day itself, get microchip details updated before, not after, the move, and give both cats and dogs time to adjust once you're in. Handled this way, most pets settle into a new home within a few weeks, often faster than their humans do.

If you're still sorting out the practical side of your move, from booking removals to comparing conveyancing quotes for the property itself, Moving Compared makes it straightforward to compare trusted providers in one place. Get a removals quote today and tick one more thing off the list before moving day arrives.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about moving home with cats and dogs and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. If you have concerns about your pet's health, behaviour or anxiety before or after a move, speak to your vet.