By Nathan Hawes
The removal truck arrives, doors are open, furniture is shifting, and strangers are carrying boxes through the house. For a pet, that can feel like their whole territory has disappeared overnight. Moving house with pets needs a bit more planning than simply putting the food bowls in a box at the last minute.
Dogs, cats, birds and small animals all react differently to change. The good news is that a calm plan keeps them safer on moving day and helps them settle faster once you arrive. A few practical decisions before the move can prevent an escaped cat, an anxious dog, or the stress of searching through boxes for vital supplies.
Plan for your pet before packing starts
Start preparing a week or two ahead where possible. Keep feeding times, walks and sleep routines as normal as you can. Pets notice disruptions well before the removalists turn up, especially when familiar rooms begin to fill with cartons.
Book a vet check if your pet is due for vaccinations, needs a repeat prescription, or has been unwell. This is particularly worthwhile for a long-distance move across Victoria. Ask the vet for copies of vaccination records and medical history, and make sure your pet’s microchip details and council registration show your new address. A new phone number should be updated straight away too.
If you have a cat that is likely to hide, get the carrier out early and leave it open with a familiar blanket inside. Trying to introduce a carrier five minutes before departure rarely goes well. For dogs, a few short car trips can help if they are not used to travelling.
It also pays to consider the new property before moving day. Check fencing, gates, balconies, gaps under sheds and any possible escape routes. A dog used to a secure Traralgon backyard may need time to adjust to a smaller block, a unit, or a busier street in Melbourne.
Make a pet moving kit you can reach quickly
Your pet’s essentials should travel with you, not in the removal truck. Put them in a clearly marked bag or plastic tub and keep it in the car where it is easy to access. You may not unpack everything on the first night, but you should not have to hunt for a lead, medication or dinner.
Include enough food for several days, water, bowls, medication, a lead or harness, waste bags, bedding, favourite toys and any grooming supplies. Cats need litter, a tray and a scoop. Small animals need their usual food, suitable bedding and a secure travel enclosure. Keep a recent photo of your pet on your mobile as a simple safeguard if they get loose in an unfamiliar area.
Avoid changing foods around the move. Stress alone can upset an animal’s stomach, and a sudden new diet can make the trip harder than it needs to be.
Moving house with pets on removal day
The safest option is usually to have pets away from the property while loading is underway. A trusted family member, friend, pet sitter, kennel, cattery or dog day-care can give them a quiet place to stay. This removes the risk of a door being left open while heavy furniture is being carried through.
If off-site care is not practical, set up a quiet room that removalists will not need to enter. Choose a spare bedroom, bathroom or enclosed laundry, depending on your pet. Put a note on the door asking people not to open it, and make sure the room has water, bedding and a secure carrier available.
This is especially useful when there are children, multiple pets or a large family home to load. A removal team can work more efficiently when they are not stepping around an unsettled dog or worrying about a cat darting through an open doorway. It is better for your belongings and better for the animals.
Give the removalists a quick heads-up about any pets on site before work begins. Mention whether a dog is nervous, whether a cat is in a closed room, or whether there are birds or fish requiring extra care. Clear communication helps everyone work safely and avoids surprises.
Travel safely, even on a short move
Pets should travel in your own vehicle or with a specialist pet transport provider, not in the back of a furniture truck. Removal vehicles are designed for furniture and cartons, not animals. Temperatures, noise, movement and loading stops can all be uncomfortable or unsafe for pets.
Dogs are safest restrained with a suitable harness, crate or vehicle barrier. Cats should remain in a secure carrier for the entire trip, even if they normally sit calmly in the car. An unfamiliar driveway, a service station stop or a partly opened car door is all it takes for a frightened animal to bolt.
For longer trips, plan rest stops for dogs in safe, controlled areas and always use a lead before opening the door. Offer water regularly, but avoid a large meal immediately before travel if your pet gets car sick. Never leave an animal in a parked vehicle, particularly during warmer Victorian weather.
Birds and small animals can be sensitive to noise and temperature changes. Keep their enclosure stable, covered lightly if that helps them stay calm, and away from direct sun or cold air-conditioning. Fish need separate planning as well. Speak to an aquarium specialist or pet shop well ahead of time, as moving a tank safely takes preparation.
Set up one calm room at the new place
When you arrive, resist the urge to give pets the run of the whole home immediately. Doors will still be open, boxes will be stacked around, and people may be walking in and out. Instead, set up a single quiet room first.
Put down familiar bedding, water, food, toys and, for cats, the litter tray. Keep the door closed while unloading is happening. This gives your pet one predictable space while the rest of the home is noisy and unfamiliar.
Once the truck is unloaded and external doors can stay shut, introduce the home slowly. Dogs may benefit from a lead-guided walk through each room, followed by a quiet toilet break outside. Cats often do better with a gradual approach. Start with one room, then allow access to more of the house over the next few days once they appear comfortable.
Do not be concerned if your pet is quieter than usual, clingy, off their food for a short time, or hiding. Those behaviours can be normal after a move. Keep routines steady and give them space. If they stop eating, seem distressed, become unwell, or their behaviour does not improve, contact your vet.
Help pets learn their new surroundings
The first few weeks matter. Keep dogs on a lead when leaving the property until they understand the area and you are confident fences and gates are secure. Walk familiar routes where possible and keep exercise regular. A dog that knows when breakfast and walk time happen will usually settle more quickly.
Cats should stay indoors for at least two to three weeks after moving, and sometimes longer if they are particularly anxious or if you have moved a long distance. They need time to see the new house as home before they are allowed outside. When the time comes, make the first outdoor visits short and supervised where practical.
Keep an eye on stress triggers that are easy to miss. A new neighbour’s dog, traffic noise, tradespeople, or unfamiliar smells from a previous pet can affect how quickly an animal settles. Patience is often more useful than trying to force confidence.
Take pressure off the day where you can
A well-organised move gives you more time to look after the living things that depend on you. Pack pet supplies last, keep your travel plan clear, and arrange a safe room at both ends before the truck arrives. If you are using Hawes’s Removals, letting the team know your pet plan in advance helps keep loading straightforward and reduces unnecessary disruption around the house.
Your furniture needs careful handling, but your pets need something just as valuable: a calm owner, familiar routines and a secure place to land. Give them that on moving day, and the new house will start feeling like home sooner.