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A Guide to Moving With Your Pet

By Ring on July 8, 2024

From moving truck rentals to change-of-address forms, there’s a lot to check off your to-do list before a big move. And if you’re moving with pets, there are a few extra things to take care of before the moving boxes come out.

Plan Your Accommodations

Whether you’re moving cross-country or a few streets down, your pet will need a comfortable place to stay on moving day. Here are a few tips to help keep your pet comfortable and safe during the transition — and set them up for success at your new place.

Tips for Local Moves

Ask a friend or family member to watch your pet while you move boxes and start getting settled.

If no one is available to watch your pet, pick a safe room in your current home to keep them in while you move.

Once all your belongings are in your new place, make the final trip with your furry friend(s) in tow.

Choose a safe room in your new home for pets to unwind and explore before introducing them to the rest of the house.

Tips for Long-Distance Moves

If you’re planning a road trip, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends getting your pets acclimated to their crates beforehand.¹ Serve their meals inside their crate and reward them with treats and snuggles after a practice session.

The Humane Society recommends keeping pets in secured crates or carriers in the backseat.

Plan plenty of breaks for your pet to stretch their legs or use the bathroom.

Book pet-friendly hotels along your route.

If you’re flying, check airline policies before booking tickets. You may be able to bring a crated pet into the cabin, but some airlines transport them as cargo.

Consider a pet shipping service to arrange your pet’s entire trip while you focus on the move.

Update ID Tags

Your pets should always have a collar with an up-to-date ID tag in case they sneak out of your home. Since your address will be changing, be sure to order a new tag and swap it out on moving day.

With a Pet Tag from Ring, you won’t have to worry about this task, as changing tags during a move will be a thing of the past. That’s because Pet Tag provides a QR code people can scan instead of engraved information that can go out of date. You’ll get an alert on the Ring App if someone scans your pet’s collar, allowing you to anonymously rearrange a reunion at or near your new home.

Create a Safe Space for Your Pet

For your pets, the build-up to a big move can be just as stressful as the actual moving day. While their favorite lounging spots get covered in boxes and tape, make sure they have an untouched room to retreat to, and pack it up last.

While you’re busy packing, you can use an Indoor Cam or Stick Up Cam to check in on your pet in the other room. Just pull up Live View on the Ring App to see what your furry friend is up to. You can even use Two-Way Talk to let them know you’re almost done boxing up all the dishes.

Call Your Vet

While you’re still in your current city and established with a vet, schedule a visit. You’ll have plenty of breathing room to get your pet established with a new vet after your move since your pet will be up-to-date on their vaccinations and prescriptions.

During your visit, see if your vet has any tips for keeping your pet calm during the move. You can also ask if they have recommendations for a provider in your new city and start the process of transferring records.

Keep Up Your Routine

Even though your pet’s surroundings are about to change, you can still keep their routine consistent to help make the move less stressful. For example, if you always take your dog on a morning walk, continue to do so in the days leading up to the move. If your move is local, you can even ask a friend to take your dog out on moving day, so there’s no disruption to their daily routine.

Pack a Pet Emergency Kit

From food and treats to familiar toys, you’ll need a few things for your pet on moving day. To ensure your pet supplies don’t end up at the bottom of a box, pack a separate kit to keep with you during the day. Here’s what to include:

Food and bowls

Litter for cats

Medications

Toys

Anything they might need immediately after the move, like a pet bed and blanket, calming spray, and treats

Pet-Proof Your New Home

When they arrive at an unfamiliar place, your pets will want to sniff every little thing — or find a nook to hide in. Check your home to see if there’s anything unsafe, like cords, cleaning supplies, or areas where they could get stuck. Be sure to remove or fix the hazard before they start exploring.

Before letting your dog out into the backyard to roam, ensure your fence and plants are also pet-friendly. Some plants can be toxic to dogs, and even the smallest hole in your fence could provide an escape route.

Settle in Gradually

Once your pets have arrived at their new home, it can take them a few weeks to get used to their surroundings. The ASPCA recommends giving them time to gradually explore new areas of the house while keeping their toys, food, and other belongings in the room they first entered.1 During the transition, give your pets lots of love and extra attention.

As you get fully settled, consider adding a few home upgrades for your pets, like a catio or dog-wash station. Your fur family will appreciate having spaces all to themselves, and your new home will be more comfortable and convenient for all its occupants.

Need More Moving Tips?

Now that your pets are all set, it’s time to focus on you. Check out our new homebuyer’s guide to learn what you need to do before closing and get more handy tips to help make move-in day a breeze for you and your family.

¹ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/moving-your-pet