Moving with Pets

How to keep dogs, cats, fish, reptiles, and other animals safe and calm before, during, and after a move. Practical advice for car travel, flying, and adjusting to a new home.

Updated 2026-06-15

Before the Move

Schedule a vet visit

Visit your veterinarian 2 to 4 weeks before the move. Get a health check, update vaccinations, and request a health certificate (Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) if you are crossing state lines. Most states require this document to be issued within 10 to 30 days of entry. Ask for copies of all medical records to bring with you.

Update microchip information

If your pet is microchipped, update the registration with your new address and phone number. If your pet is not microchipped, this is a good time to do it. A microchip dramatically increases the chance of reuniting with a lost pet during the chaos of moving.

Refill medications

Get at least a 30-day supply of any prescriptions. If your pet takes anxiety medication, ask your vet about additional medication for travel day. For pets with chronic conditions, ask for a referral to a vet near your new address.

Research your destination

Check local pet regulations (breed restrictions, leash laws, licensing requirements). If renting, confirm your lease allows your pet and note any breed or weight limits, pet deposits, and monthly pet rent. Find an emergency vet near your new home before you arrive.

Prepare a pet travel kit

Pack food, water, bowls, leash, waste bags, medications, vaccination records, health certificate, a favorite toy, a familiar blanket, and paper towels for cleanup. Keep this kit accessible, not buried in the moving truck.

Moving Day

Moving day is loud, chaotic, and stressful for animals. Doors are propped open, strangers are walking through the house, and furniture is disappearing. Here is how to handle it:

Isolate your pet. Put them in a quiet room (like a bathroom) with the door closed and a sign that says "Do not open, pet inside." Include water, food, litter box (for cats), and a familiar item.
Load them last. Your pet should be the last thing to leave the old home and the first thing you set up at the new one. Never load pets onto the moving truck.
Keep your routine as normal as possible. Feed at the usual time. Walk dogs at the usual time. Familiar routines reduce anxiety.
Consider a pet sitter or friend. If possible, have someone keep your pet at their home or take them to doggy daycare for the day. This eliminates the risk of escape and reduces stress significantly.

Driving with Pets

Restraint and safety

Dogs should be in a crash-tested crate or wearing a seatbelt harness attached to the vehicle's seatbelt system. Cats should always be in a carrier. An unrestrained 60-lb dog in a 35 mph crash becomes a 2,700-lb projectile. Several states require pet restraints by law.

Stops every 2 to 3 hours

Stop for bathroom breaks, water, and short walks. Dogs need to stretch and relieve themselves. Cats generally do better staying in the carrier with a small portable litter pan available during longer stops. Always use a leash at rest stops, even if your dog is normally off-leash reliable.

Never leave pets in the car

On a 75F day, the inside of a car reaches 100F within 10 minutes and 120F within 30 minutes. Cracking windows does almost nothing. Heatstroke can be fatal in under 15 minutes. If you need to go inside (gas station, restaurant), one person stays with the pet or bring the pet with you.

Food and water during travel

Feed a light meal 3 to 4 hours before departure to reduce car sickness. Offer water at every stop. Do not feed a full meal in a moving vehicle. If your pet gets carsick, ask your vet about Cerenia (maropitant), which is FDA-approved for motion sickness in dogs.

Flying with Pets

In-cabin travel

Small dogs and cats (typically under 20 lbs including carrier) can fly in the cabin. The carrier must fit under the seat. Fees range from $95 to $200 per flight segment. Book early as airlines cap the number of in-cabin pets per flight. Your pet must stay in the carrier for the entire flight.

Cargo transport

Larger pets must fly in the cargo hold in an IATA-compliant hard-sided crate. The hold is pressurized and climate-controlled, but temperatures on the tarmac can be extreme. Most airlines impose temperature embargoes: they will not transport pets when ground temps exceed 85F or drop below 20F. Book direct flights to minimize layover risk. Label the crate with "Live Animal," your contact info, and feeding instructions.

Pet shipping services

Companies like CitizenShipper, PetRelocation, and Air Animal specialize in pet transport. They handle crate requirements, airline booking, and paperwork. Costs range from $300 for ground transport to $2,000+ for cross-country flights. This can be worth it for international moves or if you are not flying the same route as your pet.

Airline-specific policies

Policies change frequently. Southwest does not allow pets in cargo. Delta and United have specific breed restrictions. JetBlue only allows cats and dogs in-cabin. Hawaiian Airlines allows pets in-cabin on interisland flights only. Always check your airline's current pet policy before booking.

Adjusting to the New Home

Start with one room

Set up a "home base" room with your pet's bed, food, water, litter box, and familiar items. Let them explore this room first. For cats, keep them confined to this room for 3 to 7 days before gradually opening up other areas. Dogs can explore more quickly but still benefit from a slow introduction.

Maintain your routine

Feed at the same times, walk the same schedule, and keep bedtime consistent. Routine is the strongest anxiety reducer for pets. Even if your own schedule is disrupted by unpacking, prioritize your pet's schedule.

Pet-proof the new space

Check for gaps behind appliances, open vents, exposed wires, toxic plants, and unsecured windows. Cats are especially good at finding escape routes in unfamiliar homes. Make sure all screens are secure and there are no gaps in fencing for dogs.

Watch for stress signs

Dogs: excessive panting, pacing, whining, loss of appetite, destructive behavior, house-training regression. Cats: hiding for extended periods, not eating for 24+ hours, over-grooming, litter box avoidance, aggression. If symptoms persist more than a week, contact your vet.

Update registrations

Register your pet with the new city or county (many require pet licenses). Update your microchip address. Find a new veterinarian and transfer records. If your pet is on prescription food or medication, establish a new supply chain before your current stock runs out.

Special Cases

Fish tanks

Drain the tank completely. Save 50-80% of the existing water in sealed buckets (this preserves beneficial bacteria that keep your fish alive). Transport fish in bags with air or in small containers with a battery-powered air pump. Never move a tank with water in it. At the destination, set up the tank with the saved water, run the filter for at least 1 hour, then acclimate the fish slowly by floating their bags in the tank for 15 to 20 minutes.

Reptiles

Reptiles are sensitive to temperature changes. Transport them in an insulated container with heat packs (in winter) or cool packs (in summer). Do not use their regular tank for transport. A cloth bag inside a ventilated container works for snakes. Smaller reptiles can travel in small plastic containers with air holes. Keep the car at a consistent 75 to 80F. Some states require permits for certain reptile species, so check regulations before crossing state lines.

Birds

Use a small, secure travel cage (not the full-size cage). Cover it partially with a light cloth to reduce visual stress. Birds are sensitive to drafts and temperature extremes, so keep the car temperature stable. Remove water dishes during driving to prevent spilling, and offer water at each stop. For long drives, line the cage with paper towels instead of loose bedding. If flying, most airlines allow small birds in-cabin in an approved carrier. Some states require entry permits for certain bird species.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a health certificate to move my pet to another state?+

Most states require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), commonly called a health certificate, for dogs and cats entering the state. It must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 to 30 days of travel (varies by state). Hawaii has the strictest requirements, including a mandatory quarantine period unless you complete their pre-arrival rabies protocol. Check your destination state's department of agriculture website for exact requirements.

Can my pet fly in the cabin with me?+

Most airlines allow small dogs and cats in the cabin if they fit in a carrier under the seat in front of you. The carrier typically cannot exceed 18 x 11 x 11 inches. Airlines charge $95 to $200 each way for in-cabin pets. You must book the pet in advance since most flights limit the number of animals in the cabin to 2 to 4. Emotional support animals no longer fly free on most U.S. airlines. Only trained service dogs have guaranteed cabin access.

Is it safe to ship pets as cargo?+

Airline cargo holds for pets are pressurized and temperature-controlled, but there are real risks. The DOT reports a small number of pet injuries and deaths in cargo each year. Brachycephalic breeds (pugs, bulldogs, Persian cats) are at higher risk due to breathing issues. Many airlines ban cargo pet transport during extreme heat or cold. If cargo is your only option, book direct flights, use an IATA-compliant crate, and avoid summer travel.

How do I keep my cat calm during a move?+

Keep your cat in a quiet, closed room on moving day with their litter box, food, water, and a familiar blanket. Do not let them roam while movers are going in and out. For the drive, use a secure carrier and cover it with a light blanket to reduce stimulation. Feliway spray (a synthetic pheromone) can help reduce anxiety. At the new home, set them up in one room first and gradually introduce other rooms over several days.

How do I move a fish tank?+

Drain the tank and save as much of the original water as possible in sealed buckets (this preserves the beneficial bacteria). Transport fish in sealed bags or small containers with air space. Remove and wrap decorations separately. Never transport a full or partially filled tank, as the glass will crack from sloshing water. For short moves under 1 hour, fish can stay in bags. For longer moves, use a battery-powered air pump in a bucket. Re-establish the tank and acclimate fish slowly at the destination.

Should I sedate my pet for a long car ride?+

Most veterinarians advise against sedation for car travel because it can affect balance, temperature regulation, and breathing. Instead, ask your vet about anti-anxiety medications like trazodone or gabapentin, which calm without heavy sedation. For dogs with severe car anxiety, a short course of medication combined with a familiar blanket and frequent stops is safer than sedation. Always test any medication on a short trip before the move.

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