Moving House With Pets: Step-by-Step Guide to Help Cats & Dogs Settle

ByGavin Levenstein

Moving is big for you—and huge for your pets. New smells, strange sounds, doors and windows in different places… it can feel overwhelming, especially for cats and indoor dogs. The good news: with a calm plan and a few smart steps, most pets settle within 2–8 weeks.

New houses increase escape risk—fit a GPS tracker before moving day (see TailMe GPS pet trackers). Keep feeding times consistent with an auto feeder while you unpack (see TailMe auto feeders).

  • First 24–48 hours: Create a closed “safe room,” keep routine, feed on time, and limit visitors.
  • Weeks 1–2: Expand their space slowly, practice door manners, keep cats indoors.
  • Weeks 3–4: Short, supervised outdoor time for cats; longer familiar walks for dogs.
  • Cats: Keep indoors for 2–4 weeks (extend if anxious). Use a handful of old litter in the new tray.
  • Escape prevention: Check fences, doors, and windows; use baby gates; add a GPS tracker.
  • If your pet bolts: stay calm, use scent and food, notify neighbours, and follow our “find your missing pet” steps.

—

Pre‑Move Checklist

  • Put all pet items into one clearly marked box you can open first: bed/blanket, toys, bowls, meds, grooming kit, litter and tray, poop bags, spare collar/ID tag.
  • Keep 3–7 days of food and any medications with you—not on the moving truck.
  • For cats: collect a handful of used litter the day before you move to sprinkle onto the new tray.
  • Update ID tag and microchip registry with your new address and phone number as soon as you have them.
  • Consider a GPS tracker for flight‑risk pets and an auto feeder to keep routine rock‑steady during the chaos.
  • Book a reputable kennel/cattery if the move is long or your pet is especially anxious.

Moving Day: Safe Room and Transport

  • Set up a dedicated “safe room” at either your old home (until the truck leaves) or at the new home before your pet arrives.

– What to include: bed, water, food, litter tray (for cats), a few favourite toys, and a hiding spot (cardboard box or covered crate). – Put a sign on the door: “Pets Inside—Do Not Open.”

  • Keep cats in secure carriers for transport; secure carriers with seat belts. Dogs ride harnessed or crated.
  • On arrival, take your pet straight to the safe room before any doors are propped open.
  • Walk dogs on‑lead for toilet breaks only, then back to the safe room.

First 48 Hours: Routine, Feeding, Litter/Toilet

  • Keep everything calm and predictable: same feeding times, same food, normal walk length for dogs.
  • Keep visitors to a minimum. Let your pet come to you for contact; don’t pull a hiding pet out from under a bed.
  • For cats: place the new tray in a quiet spot. Sprinkle a handful of used litter on top so it smells “right.”
  • For dogs: keep on‑lead potty breaks in the garden until fences and gates are checked and secure.
  • Check that your pet is eating, drinking, and toileting. Small appetites are normal on day one; contact your vet if it continues.

Weeks 1–4: Gradual Expansion Plan

  • Week 1

– Expand from the safe room to one or two additional rooms. – Keep doors and windows shut; practise calm comings‑and‑goings. – Dogs: short, familiar‑route walks; reinforce “wait” at doors to prevent door‑dashing.

  • Week 2

– Keep cats fully indoors. Offer window perches/scratchers for enrichment. – Consider gentle harness training indoors for cats if you plan supervised outdoor time. – Dogs: add brain games and sniffy walks to drain stress.

  • Week 3

– Cats: start short, supervised garden time (ideally on harness/lead or in a secure catio). Return indoors after 5–10 minutes. – Dogs: lengthen walks; keep routine consistent.

  • Week 4

– Cats: if returning reliably to the door and relaxed, progress to brief unsupervised sessions. Increase gradually. – All pets: maintain routine; monitor for stress signs (hiding, vocalising, accidents, pacing).

Note: Some confident pets move faster; anxious pets may need longer. Go at your pet’s pace.

Cat‑Specific Tips

  • How long to keep cats indoors after moving? 2–4 weeks for most cats; extend to 4–6 weeks for anxious cats.
  • Use scent to “map” home: rub a soft cloth on your cat’s cheeks and wipe it on door frames at cat height.
  • Teach the way in and out: pick the preferred door; feed a tiny snack near it so your cat learns that “this is home.”
  • A pinch of used litter can be sprinkled near the entry so your cat can scent‑track back if startled.
  • Harness tips: if you choose a harness, train indoors first with very short, treat‑paired sessions. Don’t force it if your cat panics.
  • Litter setup: quiet corner, away from appliances; 1 tray per cat + 1 extra if space allows.

Dog‑Specific Tips

  • Routine is medicine: same walk windows and feeding times reduce anxiety fast.
  • Door‑dashing prevention: teach “sit, wait, release” at every door. Use baby gates or a double‑door system during the first month.
  • First night: keep the familiar bed and blanket; a white‑noise machine or calm music can help in busy streets/apartments.
  • Neighbours: quick introductions and sharing your contact details help if your dog slips a collar or a gate is left open.

Apartment or Urban Moves

  • Balconies: add pet‑safe netting; no unsupervised balcony access.
  • Lifts and stairwells: do a few calm practice rides with treats before busy times.
  • Noise acclimation: pair city sounds (traffic, sirens) with high‑value treats to create positive associations.
  • Litter location (cats): well‑ventilated, low‑traffic spot; avoid next to washing machines.

Preventing Escapes (and What To Do If They Happen)

  • Prevention

– Check fences for gaps; fix loose boards; secure gates. – Keep external doors closed; use signs and baby gates on moving day. – Microchip and ID tag updated; add a GPS tracker for real‑time location.

  • If your pet bolts

– Stay calm. Leave the door or gate they know slightly ajar and set out a familiar bed/blanket. – For cats: place the open carrier and a strong‑smelling snack (tuna/sardines) near your door at dusk. – For dogs: circle the last seen area slowly; sit, don’t chase. Scatter a small “scent triangle” with worn T‑shirts. – Ask neighbours to check garages/sheds; post in local groups. – Use your tracker’s live view. – See our guide: Strategies for finding your pet if they’ve got lost.

At‑a‑Glance Moving With Pets Checklist

  • Safe room prepared (bed, water, food, toys, litter tray).
  • Pet box packed and accessible.
  • Microchip/ID updated; collars checked for fit.
  • Routine planned (walk windows, feeding times).
  • Doors/gates secured; baby gates/signage in place.
  • GPS tracker fitted and tested; auto feeder set if needed.
  • First vet check in your new area noted and saved.

FAQs

  • How long should I keep my cat indoors after moving?

Most cats: 2–4 weeks. Timid cats may need 4–6 weeks. Start with short, supervised outings before any unsupervised time.

  • How long until pets settle in a new home?

Typically 2–8 weeks. Dogs often adapt faster; cats may take longer. A steady routine speeds things up.

  • Should I use old litter after moving house?

Yes. Sprinkle a small amount of used litter into the new tray to signal “this is my toilet.”

  • Will my cat try to return to the old house?

It’s possible. That’s why we keep cats indoors initially and use gradual, supervised outdoor time. Update microchip/ID and consider a GPS tracker.

  • How do I stop my dog from door‑dashing in a new home?

Practice “sit, wait, release” at every doorway; use baby gates and keep a lead on near exits for the first couple of weeks.

  • What should I do if my pet escapes after moving?

Act fast but don’t chase. Use scent and food, notify neighbours, and follow our lost‑pet strategy. A GPS tracker greatly improves recovery time.

—

Need a hand choosing the right tools? Explore TailMe’s GPS pet trackers to reduce escape risk and auto feeders to protect routine while you settle in.

Similar Posts