Moving House With Pets: How to Keep Them Calm on Moving Day

Moving day is loud, busy and full of unfamiliar faces. For us, that’s just a Tuesday. For your dog or cat, it can feel completely overwhelming.

We asked Ritchie Clarke, co-owner of The Pets, Homes and Gardens Company, for his best advice on keeping pets calm and safe on the day of a move. Here’s what he told us.

Start before moving day

The disruption begins long before the van arrives. The moment boxes appear and routines change, pets start to notice. Ritchie’s advice is to stick to normal feeding times, walks and cuddles as much as possible throughout the packing process. Familiarity is what keeps them grounded when everything else is changing around them.

The 3 S Framework

Ritchie recommends a simple three-part approach for moving day itself.

Suitable room. Choose a quiet, comfortable room well in advance and spend time there with your pets in the days before the move. On the day, this is where they stay. It should have their usual water bowls, food, toys and familiar bedding. If you’re moving in summer, pick one of the coolest rooms in the house. Classic FM, apparently, goes down particularly well with anxious pets.

Keep the room free of boxes and suitcases. Check in regularly. Be careful when entering and leaving so they don’t slip out.

Separation. Once your pets are settled in that room, keep the removal team away from it. A clear sign on the door “Pets Inside: Do Not Enter” helps, but also brief your removal team directly before anything starts. A good removal company will take this seriously. We certainly do at Your Man With A Van.

Secure transportation. Move your pets into the vehicle after everything else is packed. Dogs should travel in a properly secured crate with familiar bedding. Cats need a secure, well-rated carrier with a water bowl, a toy and a small litter tray. Neither should experience the crate for the first time on moving day itself. Leave it out in advance and let them get used to it in their own time.

Never leave pets alone in a vehicle, and never in hot weather even briefly.

Should you use a boarding company or cattery?

If your dog is prone to high anxiety, a trusted boarding company can make a significant difference. They’ll keep your dog away from the noise entirely and provide a calm, home-from-home environment. The key word is trusted. Check reviews, visit in advance, and book early because availability goes quickly.

For cats, a cattery is less straightforward. The limited space and unfamiliar setting can sometimes increase stress rather than reduce it, unless your cat is already comfortable there. For most cats, the safe room approach is the better option.

Do calming products actually help?

Sometimes. Pheromone products like Feliway for cats and Adaptil for dogs may offer some additional comfort. Supplements such as Zylkene or Anxitane are worth asking your vet about if you’re concerned.

Ritchie is clear on this though: calming products should never be the main plan. The biggest difference always comes from preparation, familiar smells and keeping things as consistent as possible.

This August, we’re sharing tips and advice every week on moving home with your pets so don’t forget to follow us and look out for the next article.

With thanks to Ritchie Clarke, co-owner of The Pets, Homes and Gardens Company . Find out more at https://www.petshomesandgardens.co.uk/

Your Man With A Van has 68 branches across the UK. We move families every day, and we take pets seriously. Find your nearest branch here.