Moving house with your dog
Start your search
Moving house is stressful for everybody, including your dog. This guide – put together by your local Healthy Pet Club practice – should help make the day go smoothly.
Planning ahead
The following tips may be useful:
- Consider putting your dog into kennels or sending him to a friend or family member during the move
- Alternatively, designate one room for him on moving day; empty this room before the removals crew arrive so that nobody has to go in
- Do not wash your dog’s bedding (the smell will be reassuring)
- Give the microchip company your new contact information
- Have a tag made with your new contact information
- Find the best dog walks near your new house
- Talk to your vet about how they can help, this can include pheromone diffusers and relaxing supplements
- Find and register with the Healthy Pet Club practice closest to your new house.
The day of the move
- If your dog is at home:
- Attach the new tag to his collar
- Put him in his designated room with his bed, a toy and water
- Close the windows
- Put a sign on the door; if possible, lock it
- Alternatively, if you have a crate, put him in it
- Keep his routine as normal as possible – but don’t feed him close to travel time.
The journey to your new house
- Put him in your car in a secured crate, using a purpose-made harness or behind a dog-guard
- Don’t let him get too hot
- Offer water and toilet breaks regularly.
Once in your new home
- As soon as you arrive, put your dog and his belongings in one room
- Close the windows
- Put a sign on the door and/or lock it
- Walk him when you can, but don’t let him off the lead (an extendable lead is a good option)
- Once everything is calm, set up his bed, food and water in their new positions
- If he likes his crate, set that up too
- Make sure all doors and windows are closed; let him out to explore
- Don’t put him in the garden unless it is dog proof
- Get back to a normal feeding and exercise routine as soon as possible – but try to spend more time with him than usual
- Be patient if he has ‘accidents’
- If he goes missing, inform the new owners of your old house (if it is close by), the police, and local veterinary practices and rescue centres; social media is also useful.