Moving With Pets: A Stress-Free Guide for Dogs, Cats, and Other Animals

Moving isn't just hard on humans — it's genuinely stressful for pets, who don't understand why their entire world is being packed into boxes. After helping hundreds of pet-owning families move across Northeast Ohio, our team at ASAP Moving & Hauling LLC in Avon Lake has put together this guide so your dog, cat, or other companion makes the transition as smoothly as you do.

Before Move Day: 2–4 Weeks Out

• Update microchip info and ID tags. The single most important thing — if your pet bolts during the chaos, this is what brings them home.
• Get vet records and refill prescriptions. If you're moving out of state, you may need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) — required within 30 days of travel for most interstate moves.
• Find a new vet in the new area before you move. Ask your current vet for a referral or check reviews.
• For anxious pets: talk to your vet about Adaptil/Feliway pheromone diffusers, calming chews, or short-term medication (e.g. trazodone for dogs, gabapentin for cats).
• Don't change pet food before a move. Stick with the familiar brand to avoid GI upset on top of the stress.

Packing Day Survival

Movers in and out, boxes everywhere, unfamiliar sounds — packing day is when pets are most likely to slip out an open door or hide in a place you can't find them.

• Confine pets to one closed room with food, water, litter box (for cats), favorite toy, and a "Do Not Enter" sign on the door. Most pros will pack this room last.
• Better yet — boarding or a friend's house. For dogs especially, a day at doggy daycare or with a friend keeps them out of the chaos entirely.
• Keep a leash and carrier visible. If you have to grab them fast, you'll need it.
• Recent photo on your phone. If they get out, you'll want a current picture for "Lost Pet" posters within minutes.

Moving Day Itself

• Travel pets in your own car — never in the moving truck. Crates secured with seatbelts are safest.
• For dogs: walk them before loading, stop every 2–3 hours, never leave them in the car in hot or cold weather.
• For cats: hard-sided carrier with a familiar towel. Cover with a light blanket to reduce visual stress. Don't open the carrier until you're inside the new home with all doors closed.
• Birds, reptiles, and fish need climate-controlled transport. Fish tanks usually need to be drained and the fish moved in bagged tank water; reptiles need warming packs in their carrier.

The First Few Days at the New Home

Cats

Set up one small room first — bedroom or bathroom — with their litter box, food, water, bed, and toys. Let them adjust there for 3–7 days before opening the rest of the house. Going from one familiar room to one new room is much less overwhelming than being released into a whole new house.

Dogs

Walk them on a leash around the new yard before letting them in the house. Show them where their food, water, and bed are. Keep them leashed for the first few days even in fenced yards — anxiety can override training, and they may try to find their way back to the old home.

All pets

• Keep meal times and walk times exactly the same as before.
• Set up their bed/crate in a similar spot to where it was before.
• Don't wash their bedding or favorite toys for the first week — the familiar smell is comforting.
• Expect some regression: house-trained dogs may have accidents, cats may hide for days. This is normal and usually resolves in 1–3 weeks.

What If You're Moving Long-Distance With Pets?

For long-distance moves:

• Drive if possible. Most pets handle car travel better than flying.
• If flying is necessary: book direct flights, choose airline-approved carriers, and check whether your pet can fly in-cabin (small pets) or must go in cargo (large dogs). Avoid flying snub-nosed breeds (bulldogs, pugs) in cargo — many airlines won't allow it for safety reasons.
• Book pet-friendly hotels in advance. Use BringFido or the hotel chain's pet policy page — never assume.
• Build in extra travel days. 8 hours of driving feels like 16 to a pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take a pet to adjust to a new home?

Dogs typically adjust within 2–4 weeks. Cats take longer — often 4–8 weeks to fully settle, sometimes 3+ months for shy or older cats. Sticking to routines is the #1 thing that speeds adjustment.

Should I sedate my pet for moving day?

For most pets, no — sedation can actually increase anxiety during travel. Talk to your vet about mild calming options (pheromones, calming chews) before going to actual sedatives. For extreme anxiety, vets may prescribe short-term medication, but always test it at home first to see how your pet reacts.

Can movers transport my pet?

No — no reputable moving company will ever transport pets. Pets always travel with you in your personal vehicle (or, for long-distance, via pet transport service or airline).

What if my cat hides and won't come out after the move?

Totally normal. Leave food, water, and a litter box near where they're hiding. Don't force them out — give them 3–7 days to emerge on their own. If they're not eating after 48 hours, call your vet.

How do I move with fish?

Drain most of the tank water but save 2/3 in clean buckets to refill at the new home. Move fish in bags filled with their tank water (your local pet store can supply bags). Set up the tank first thing at the new home and let it stabilize for an hour before reintroducing fish.

We're Pet-Friendly Movers

At ASAP Moving & Hauling LLC, we're used to working around pets. Tell us when you book and we'll plan the packing flow to minimize stress on your animals — keeping their room for last, working quietly around carriers, and respecting closed doors.

Call (440) 517-4921 or request a free quote.