Here’s What You Need to Know about Moving with Your Dog

Moving can be a stressful time for everyone—including your pet! If you fail to plan correctly, then keeping your pet comfortable during the moving process, as well as dealing with packing, movers, and organizing your family, can make for a difficult experience.

There are a few things you need to keep in mind before, during, and after moving day to make sure that it’s as smooth for your pet as it is for you. Let’s take a look at some tips.

Before moving day

Reassure your dog during the packing process

When your dog sees you packing up everything in your house into boxes, he’s likely to feel stressed as they’re unsure of what’s happening. Be sure to take the time to reassure him that everything is going to be okay.

Dogs tend to get stressed in unfamiliar environments, which is why they don't understand why you’re moving the furniture around, putting everything into containers, and, as a result, they might dig up your garden. Be sure to give them lots of extra love and attention during this process—this means lots of treats, lots of pets, and a nice walk each day.

Make sure his identification is up to date

This is especially important if you’re moving to a new state (or even overseas). You need to make sure that your pet has a strong collar with an ID tag on it that’s easy to read, stating his name, your phone number, and your new address.

This is also a good opportunity to update your dog’s microchip details to make sure that if he somehow gets lost or runs away during the moving process, he’ll be tracked back to your new home instead of your old one.

Hire the right moving company

You can also keep your dog comfortable by making sure that you hire a caring, efficient moving company with a good reputation. Movers who are highly experienced in their field are likely to cause minimum chaos during the process, keeping the hustle and bustle of moving day as quiet as possible.

The increased level of activity and noise can cause your pup to want to bolt; however, if you hire the right people, they’ll maintain a level of professionalism that will decrease the stress experienced by your pet. A good way to determine whether a moving company is appropriate is to check online reviews or seek word-of-mouth referrals from people who have used them before.

On moving day

Think about doggy daycare services

On moving day, you can choose to keep your dog around with you (which may be more convenient if they’re going to be traveling with you), or you could check him into a doggy daycare for the day.

Did you know that pet owners spend $520 million a year on pet boarding and care services? And, on top of that, the average dog owner will spend approximately $1,975 on their dogs. If it makes it easier on you (and your pup), there’s no harm in dropping him off for the weekend and then picking him up again after the move-in is finished.

Keep him safe during transportation

It’s vital that you keep your dog safe during your journey to your new home. He may already be stressed, so you’ll need to give him lots of love and affection to keep him calm. You’ll need to have a pet carrier with you to transport your dog, because if you get into an accident while driving and your pet is injured because he wasn’t restrained, you could face legal consequences in addition to the suffering of your dog. If you’re moving your pet overseas, make sure you have an airline-approved pet carrier.

Make sure you have a crate or carrier that can be secured to the seat, so your pup won’t be thrown forwards if you do have an accident. If you’re wondering how big the crate should be, it should be big enough for him to sit, stand, and move around a little in. To make him feel more comfortable, you can put some familiar items in there, such as his favorite blanket, a toy, or some delicious treats.

When you’re getting settled in

Surround your dog with the things he loves most

When you arrive at your new house, let your pet slowly explore and adjust to his new surroundings. You might be really excited to be at your new house, but it’s important to remember that it’s a totally new place for your pet, and he may feel insecure.

Introduce your pet to one or two new rooms at a time, accompanying him and making sure he gets used to being happy in his new surroundings. It’s also a good idea to make him feel ‘at home’ in his new home by surrounding him with things he recognizes. Put his bed in a similar location to your old home (for example, in the kitchen), and make sure he has access to his regular bowls of food and water, as well as his favorite toys. This will provide him with a feeling of comfort and security.

Explore the neighborhood

This one is great for both you and your pet—get out and explore your new home! Once you’ve settled in for a few hours and your pet has had a sniff around the house, relax by taking him for a stroll in the streets around your house.

This will give your dog a sense of routine, assuring him that not everything has changed and that everything is going to be okay! It’s also a great opportunity for you to discover where the nearest pet-friendly parks, cafes, and walking tracks are.

Moving with a dog doesn’t have to be hard

With a little bit of preparation and conscientiousness, moving can be a positive experience for both you and your furry friend. Make sure to give him lots of extra love and attention throughout the process, and you’ll both be settled down in no time!