Moving is stressful for humans but for pets, it can be genuinely disorienting. Animals thrive on routine and familiar scents, and a move disrupts both overnight. With the right preparation, though, you can make the transition as smooth as possible for every member of your household. This guide covers everything Canadian pet owners need to know before, during, and after moving day.
Start With Your Veterinarian
Before anything else, book a vet appointment. This is especially important if you're moving across provinces or internationally, where health certificates, vaccination records, and parasite treatments may be required. Even for a local move, it's worth getting your pet checked out travel-related anxiety can aggravate underlying health issues that are better caught early.
Ask your vet about:
- Anti-anxiety medication or calming supplements for the move
- Updated microchip registration for your new address
- Health certificates if crossing provincial or international borders
- A referral to a vet near your new home
If your pet is elderly, very young, or has a medical condition, discuss the move in detail. Some animals need extra precautions or monitoring during relocations.
Update ID and Registration Before You Move
Lost pets are tragically common on moving day. The stress of the environment, unfamiliar smells, and open doors create the perfect conditions for an escape. Before your move date, update your pet's microchip details and make sure their collar tags have your current phone number not your old address.
In BC, dogs must be licensed through the local municipality. When you move to a new city or district, you'll need to register your dog with the new municipality within a set period. Check requirements with your new local government as soon as your address is confirmed.
Prepare Your Pet for the Change in Routine
Animals notice change well before moving day arrives. Boxes appearing, furniture disappearing, and the general disruption of their environment all signal that something is happening. Help your pet adjust gradually rather than all at once.
For dogs: Maintain walk schedules as consistently as possible during the packing period. If your dog is crate-trained, start leaving the crate out early so it becomes a familiar safe space for the move. Reading how to prepare large furniture for moving day can also help you plan the physical changes in a way that's less abrupt for pets in the home.
For cats: Cats are highly territorial and tend to struggle more with moves than dogs. Start confining your cat to one room a few days before the move ideally a room with their familiar bed, litter box, and food. This limits their exposure to the disruption and gives them a calm base.
For small animals and birds: Rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, and reptiles are sensitive to temperature, noise, and vibration. Plan their transport carefully, keep them away from direct sunlight and drafts, and minimise time in the vehicle.
Moving Day: Keep Pets Out of the Action
Moving day is the highest-risk day for pets. Doors are constantly open, strangers are moving through the home, and the energy is chaotic. The safest approach is to remove your pet from the environment entirely.
Arrange for a friend, family member, or pet sitter to take your animals for the day. If that's not possible, secure them in a quiet room with a sign on the door alerting movers not to open it. Make sure they have food, water, and their favourite comfort items.
If you're working with a professional residential moving team, let them know you have pets ahead of time. Experienced movers will be mindful of open doors and will work with you to keep the environment as controlled as possible.
Travelling With Your Pet
By car: Most pets travel best in a secured carrier or with a pet seatbelt harness. Don't feed your pet a large meal right before the drive a light stomach reduces the chance of motion sickness. Bring water, a portable bowl, waste bags, and any medications your vet has prescribed.
Plan rest stops every two hours for dogs. Cats generally do better with fewer stops opening the carrier repeatedly in a car creates escape risk.
By air: If you're doing a long-distance move that involves flying, research airline pet policies carefully. Most Canadian airlines allow small pets in-cabin; larger dogs typically travel as checked baggage or cargo. Book early most flights have a limit on the number of animals allowed per flight.
By ferry: BC Ferries allows pets on vehicle decks and in designated outdoor areas. Pets are generally not permitted in passenger lounges. Plan accordingly if your move involves a ferry crossing.
Setting Up Your Pet in the New Home
Arrive at your new home before the movers if possible, and do a quick safety check before letting your pet explore:
- Check fences, gates, and any gaps where a dog could escape
- Look for toxic plants left by previous occupants
- Locate and secure hazards like exposed wiring, open staircases, or accessible chemicals
For cats, set up one room first with their litter box, food, bed, and familiar items and let them explore from there at their own pace. Giving a cat the run of an entire new house immediately can be overwhelming. Expand their access gradually over the first few days.
For dogs, a walk around the new neighbourhood on arrival helps them start building a mental map of the area and releases tension from the travel.
If you're moving into a new building, check the pet policy with your strata or landlord. Many buildings in Metro Vancouver have restrictions on pet size or breed. This is worth clarifying long before moving day, not after.
Helping Pets Settle In the Weeks After the Move
Most pets settle within two to four weeks, but some particularly cats can take longer. Watch for signs of prolonged stress: loss of appetite, hiding, excessive vocalisation, or changes in litter box habits. If symptoms persist beyond a month, follow up with your new vet.
Re-establish routines as quickly as possible. Feed at the same times, walk the same number of times per day, and keep bedding and toys familiar. Routine is the fastest path back to calm for most animals.
Also update your pet's registration with your new municipality and find a local vet before you actually need one. For dogs, look into local off-leash parks and trails getting your dog comfortable in the new neighbourhood accelerates their adjustment considerably.
FAQs: Moving With Pets in Canada
How do I keep my pet calm on moving day?
The most effective approach is to remove them from the environment entirely, arrange for a pet sitter or ask a friend to take them for the day. If that's not possible, secure them in a quiet room with food, water, and familiar items, and put a sign on the door so movers know not to open it.
Do I need special documents to move my pet between provinces?
For most domestic pets moving between Canadian provinces, no special documentation is required. However, if you're moving internationally or travelling through the US, health certificates and vaccination records are typically required. Always confirm with your vet well in advance.
Can movers transport my pet or pet supplies?
Professional movers will transport pet supplies, crates, and equipment. Live animals, however, travel with you not on the truck. Plan your pet's transport separately from your household goods.
What should I pack in a pet travel bag for moving day?
Include food and water for 24 hours, a portable bowl, medications, your vet's contact information, vaccination records, a familiar toy or blanket, waste bags, and a leash or carrier. Keep this bag with you, not in the moving truck.
How long does it take for a pet to adjust to a new home?
Most dogs adjust within one to two weeks. Cats often take two to four weeks, and some take longer. Maintaining consistent routines and introducing the new space gradually speeds up the process considerably.
Moving Your Whole Family Including the Four-Legged Members
A successful pet move takes planning, patience, and the right team behind you. Smoother Movers has been relocating Canadian families pets included across Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland for over 40 years. Whether you need residential moving, apartment moving,senior moving, or long-distance relocation, the team handles the heavy lifting so you can focus on your family.
Contact us to get a free, no-obligation estimate for your upcoming move.