Preparing your pets for a professional move starts weeks before moving day and continues until they are fully settled in your new home. When Dodge Moving and Storage services a move, we want to make sure everyone, furry friends included, feel safe and prepared.
Start planning early
Getting ahead of the rush reduces stress for both you and your pets. Begin planning at least a month before your move date so nothing important falls through the cracks.
Schedule time on your moving checklist just for pet-related tasks like vet visits, supplies, and paperwork.
If you are packing anything yourself, introduce moving boxes and packing materials gradually so your pet can sniff and explore them at their own pace instead of being overwhelmed all at once.
Visit the vet and update records
A pre-move checkup ensures your pet is healthy enough for travel and ready for a new home environment, especially if you are moving to a different state or city with new regulations.
Book a wellness exam to confirm vaccinations are current, refill medications, and ask about anxiety management options if your pet is easily stressed.
Request copies of medical records and confirm microchip information is up to date with your new address and phone number.
Keep routines and create a safe zone
Professional move days are busy: crews coming and going, doors propped open, and furniture moving around. A stable routine and a safe zone go a long way toward keeping pets calm.
Maintain normal feeding, walking, and play schedules as closely as possible in the weeks leading up to the move, even while you pack.
Designate a quiet room as your pet’s “home base” with their bed, water, litter box (for cats), and favorite toys, and plan to pack this room last.
Crate training and travel prep
Whether your pet is traveling by car, air, or with a specialized pet transport service, familiarity with their crate or carrier is critical for a low-stress trip.
Gradually acclimate your pet to the carrier by feeding meals inside, placing treats and familiar bedding in it, and building up to closing the door for short periods.
Choose an appropriately sized, well-ventilated crate, label it with your contact details, and attach a small bag with essentials like a collapsible bowl, food, and a spare leash.
Moving day with a professional crew
On move day, your priority is safety: avoiding escapes, stress-related accidents, or your pet getting underfoot while movers are carrying heavy items.
Confine your pet to their safe room with the door closed and a clear “Do Not Enter – Pet Inside” note. Let your coordinator, and all of the crew members know about this before services begin.
Consider daycare/boarding for the day if that suits their temperament.
If they remain at home, walk dogs before the crew arrives to burn off energy, and provide safe chews or food puzzles in the safe room to keep them occupied while the professionals work.
Pet essentials “go bag”
Just as you pack an essentials box for your family, your pet needs their own bag/box that stays with you, not on the moving truck.
Pack several days’ worth of food, water, bowls, medications, poop bags, litter and a small pan for cats, grooming tools, and a favorite toy or blanket.
Keep vaccination records, emergency vet contact numbers, and recent photos of your pet in the same container in case of an emergency.
Arriving and settling into the new home
The first few days in your new home set the tone for how quickly your pet will adjust. Slow, controlled introductions make the transition easier.
Set up a dedicated pet space first—bed, bowls, toys, and litter box—before unboxing the rest of the house, and let your pet explore one area at a time.
Stick closely to your old routine for meals, walks, and play, and offer extra attention and reassurance while your pet learns the new sights, sounds, and smells.
Extra tips for working with professional movers
Professional movers can actually help your pet’s experience be smoother when you plan ahead and communicate clearly.
Let your move coordinator know you have pets, where they will be confined, and any doors or gates that must remain closed to prevent escapes.
If you are utilizing specialty services such as coordination with pet transport partners, ask about the moving crew’s timing so you can coordinate your pet’s pickup/arrival with the crew’s arrival/departure.
Whether moving across town or across the country, Dodge Moving and Storage is dedicated to a smooth and safe move for everyone involved.