Moving can be very stressful for anyone, but for our four-legged friends, it can be especially confusing and upsetting. Plan your pet’s move carefully to ensure that their transition to his (and your) new home is a smooth one.

Before the Move

Stick to your pet’s routine as much as possible in the days leading up to the move and the day of the move as well. Go for walks at the usual times, feed him his regular food. Try to minimize disruptions to his schedule as much as possible.

Make sure that all vaccinations are up to date, and bring copies of your pet’s health records with you. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations for a vet or animal hospital in your new city. Check out the laws pertaining to animals in the city or state where you are moving, so you can be sure that you and your pet are in compliance with them.

Pets may get nervous with strangers, like movers, coming in and out of the home. If you can keep your pet in a room where he won’t be disturbed, he may be less nervous. Sometimes pets make a run for it during a move if a door is left open. Make sure you have current pictures of your pet in case you need to search for him, and make sure that the information on his tags or microchip is up to date with your new phone number and address.

Transporting Your Pet

Moving companies don’t transport pets, so you need to plan how you will get them to your new home. Only seeing eye dogs are permitted on buses and trains, so your choices are either to drive or to fly with your animal friend. Take into account your pet’s personality and health situation when choosing the best form of transportation for him. Consider hiring a professional pet mover to move your pet, or boarding him until you move into your new home. You will be so preoccupied with the move that you may want to put your pet into someone else’s hands for a little while.

If you choose to fly with your pet, check with the airlines to see who transports animals. Small dogs and cats can fly in the passenger cabin on a first-come, first-serve basis. Otherwise, they fly in the hold underneath the plane. Airlines limit the number of animals that can fly on one flight, so check to see if there is room available aboard the flight you want to book. Your pet will need to fly in an approved carrier, and will need a recent health certificate. Inquire about any further requirements that the airline may have.

If you choose to drive to your new home with your pet, map out your trip carefully. Consider how long your pet can ride in a car each day. Build in time to stop so your pet can exercise, eat and relieve himself. Bring your pet’s leash, water bowl, favorite toys, bedding, litter box and food. A cat should ride in a carrier, and a dog should ride in a carrier or with a restraint harness. You may want to do practice rides with your pet before the actual move, so he is used to being in a car. Check ahead of time which hotels along your route welcome pets so you can plan when you will stop for the night.

Pack what your pet needs in order to stay comfortable while in transit, and when arriving in your new home. Just like people, pets will be comforted if they are surrounded by familiar bedding, toys and food. Make sure you have with you copies of his medical records, extra medication and any other supplies you may need,

Settling in to the New Home

When you get to your new home, give your pet time to adjust. Dogs are more attached to people, but cats are more attached to environments and might not adapt quickly to their new home. Take your dog for walks on his leash around the neighborhood while sticking to old routines as much as you can. Explore new parks and streets together, while he gets used to the new dogs in neighborhood.

Introduce your cat to your new home gradually. Limit him at first to one or two rooms at first, and keep familiar items there to reduce his stress and help him settle in. If your cat is an outdoor cat, keep him inside for a few weeks until he is used to the house before letting him out. Cats sometimes run away after they’ve moved so take precautions, and make sure that you have current photos of your cat(s), and that he has identification tags or a microchip.