Moving house is stressful enough on its own — throw a nervous cat or an overexcited dog into the mix and, well, it can all feel a bit much. For families juggling kids, deadlines, and box after box of stuff, it’s easy to overlook how deeply pets are affected too.
This guide walks through small, reassuring steps you can take to keep tails wagging and whiskers calm from start to finish. Whether you’re planning ahead or staring down moving day itself, these pet relocation tips will help you keep things calm, kind, and more or less under control. And with the right local home removals team beside you, you won’t have to manage it all alone.
Choose the Right Removals Team
Pets pick up on stress faster than you might think — and a noisy, chaotic move can leave them anxious for days. That’s why choosing experienced, family-aware movers matters just as much as the packing itself.
A calm, friendly removals team who know how to work around pets can help keep things on track and everyone at ease. At Currans, we’ve supported hundreds of families moving with pets with our home removal services, so we get the mix of care and efficiency that makes a difference.
Let Movers Handle the Heavy Lifting
You’ve got enough to think about without trying to juggle boxes, furniture, and a nervous Labrador. Letting professional movers handle the heavy stuff gives you space to focus on what matters — like keeping your pet calm and safe.
With fewer loud bangs, door slams, and general chaos around them, pets are far less likely to bolt or panic. A good removals team will work efficiently in the background, so you can keep routines ticking over and stress levels under control. Especially useful on moving day itself.
Prep Your Pet Before Moving Day
A few small steps before the big day can make a world of difference. Start by introducing your pet to moving boxes early — let them sniff, explore, or even nap inside them if they like. Travel crates or carriers? Leave those out too, so they don’t feel foreign or frightening when it matters most.
Check their ID tags and microchip details are up to date, just in case. A quick vet check-up never hurts either, especially if you’re moving far. These pet relocation tips might sound simple, but they often prevent last-minute dramas.
This kind of preparation helps create a stress-free move for pets — and gives you one less thing to worry about when everything else is on the move.
Stick to Your Pet’s Routine
Pets don’t understand packing lists or property chains — but they do notice when dinner’s late or their walk gets skipped. Keeping their usual schedule as intact as possible is one of the most overlooked ways to help them cope.
Try to stick to normal mealtimes, walk routes, play sessions, and sleep habits, even if the rest of your day is in total upheaval. This familiarity creates a sense of calm amid the boxes and bubble wrap.
It’s one of the easiest ways to create a more stress-free move for pets — especially those prone to anxiety like cats or older dogs.
Pack a Pet Essentials Bag
In the middle of the moving mayhem, the last thing you want is to be rummaging through ten boxes to find a chew toy or litter scoop. Pack a small bag just for your pet — something easy to grab when you need it.
Include:
- Food and water
- Bowls
- Favourite toy or blanket
- Medications
- Litter tray or poo bags
- Lead or harness
- A towel (just in case)
- Any travel paperwork
Having these close by helps your pet feel looked after, even when the house feels upside down.
Keep Pets Safe on Moving Day
Moving day is full of open doors, strange noises, and people going in and out — not exactly ideal for pets who just want somewhere quiet to snooze. The best approach? Keep them in a closed, calm room away from the action, or arrange for a trusted friend or sitter to look after them for the day.
This reduces the risk of escape, injury, or overwhelm. Cats especially benefit from a familiar, low-traffic space while the chaos unfolds. Dogs? Often happier out of the way too. It’s a simple step that makes a real difference.
Use a Trusted Local Mover
There’s something quietly reassuring about hiring movers who know the area like the back of their hand. Local routes, traffic pinch-points, shortcut-friendly roads — it all adds up to a smoother ride for everyone, including your pets.
Less time in transit means less time for pets to get unsettled. A familiar pace and local expertise really can help turn the move from frantic to manageable. And if your movers are used to working with families and pets, that’s one less thing to explain on the day.
Settle Pets Quickly in the New Home
Once the last box is through the door, your pet’s world has suddenly changed — and it might take a little while for them to feel safe again. To help, set up a cosy “safe zone” straight away. This could be a quiet room with their bed, favourite toys, food, and water.
Let them explore the rest of the house slowly, one space at a time. Don’t rush. The more predictable things feel, the faster they’ll settle. It’s a small gesture that, for pets, means everything.
Rely on Local Moving Experts
There’s moving, and then there’s moving well — and for families with pets, that difference matters. Choosing local home removals experts who understand how to work around kids, crates, and collars can make the whole day feel calmer and far more manageable.
At Currans, we’re used to working with families who’ve got a lot on their plate — and a pet curled up under the table. We move quickly, carefully, and with clear communication throughout.
Make the Move Easy for Everyone
Moving with pets doesn’t have to be overwhelming — not if you plan ahead and lean on people who know what they’re doing. Keeping routines steady, packing the right things, and choosing movers who truly understand families can turn a stressful day into something far more manageable.
For cats, dogs, and everyone else under your roof, a smooth, calm move is absolutely possible. And with the right support, it’s often easier than you’d think. Ready to take the next step? Just contact us — we’re here to help.