Your pet is family, and leaving them behind isn't an option. But moving across the country with a dog, cat, or other pet comes with unique challenges—from transportation logistics to helping them adjust to a new home. This guide covers everything you need to know to move your furry (or scaly, or feathered) friend safely and stress-free.
Before You Move: Preparation (4-6 Weeks Out)
Visit the Vet
Schedule a pre-move vet appointment:
- Get health certificate (required for air travel, valid 10 days)
- Update vaccinations (especially rabies)
- Discuss anxiety medication for travel if needed
- Request copies of medical records
- Get prescription refills for medications
- Ask about veterinarians in your new city
Update Identification
- Ensure microchip is registered with current contact info
- Get new ID tags with your new address and phone number (or use your partner's if already local)
- Take recent photos of your pet in case they get lost during the move
Research Pet Regulations in Your New State
- Some states have breed restrictions
- License requirements vary by city/county
- Quarantine rules for international moves
- Exotic pet restrictions (reptiles, birds, etc.)
Transportation Options for Pets
Option 1: Road Trip With Your Pet
Best for: Dogs and cats, most stress-free option
Pros:
- Pet stays with you the entire time
- Can stop for breaks, food, bathroom
- Less stressful than flying for most pets
- Cheaper than professional transport
Cons:
- Long hours in the car
- Finding pet-friendly hotels
- Bathroom breaks for pets can be challenging
- Takes longer than flying
Road trip tips:
- Practice short car rides beforehand
- Use crash-tested pet harness or secure crate
- Never leave pet alone in parked car
- Bring collapsible water bowl and familiar food
- Plan stops every 2-3 hours
- Book pet-friendly hotels in advance (use BringFido.com)
- Bring comfort items (favorite toy, blanket with familiar scent)
Option 2: Flying With Your Pet
Best for: Small pets that fit under seat, or when driving isn't feasible
In-Cabin Travel
Requirements:
- Pet + carrier must fit under seat (typically 17-19" max)
- Usually 15-20 lbs max including carrier
- Health certificate required
- Fee: $95-$200 each way depending on airline
Airlines that allow in-cabin pets: American, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska
Cargo Hold Travel
For: Larger dogs that don't fit in cabin
Important notes:
- Only use for healthy adult dogs—risky for elderly, brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds, or puppies
- Avoid extreme hot or cold weather travel
- Some airlines have suspended cargo pet programs (check current policies)
- Cost: $200-$500 each way
Cargo tips:
- Use IATA-approved hard-sided crate
- Label crate clearly with "LIVE ANIMAL," contact info, and destination
- Include photo of pet on crate
- Attach food/water dishes inside crate
- Book direct flights when possible
- Fly during cooler parts of day in summer
Option 3: Professional Pet Transport Service
Best for: High-value pets, anxious owners, or complex situations
Services include:
- Ground transport (pet travels in climate-controlled van)
- Flight nanny (person flies with your pet in cabin)
- Full-service transport (handles all logistics)
Cost: $500-$3,000+ depending on distance and service level
Reputable companies:
- CitizenShipper (marketplace for pet transporters)
- Royal Paws
- Pet Van Lines
- Air Animal
Moving Day Strategies
Keep Pets Safe During Packing/Loading
- Confine pets to a quiet room away from chaos
- Put "DO NOT OPEN" sign on door
- Board pets for the day if possible
- Keep pet supplies accessible (don't pack until last minute)
Essential Pet Moving Kit
Pack a bag with:
- 5-7 days of food (abrupt food changes cause stomach upset)
- Medications
- Favorite toys and blanket
- Leash, collar, harness
- Litter box and litter (cats)
- Food and water bowls
- Waste bags
- First aid supplies
- Recent photo and medical records
- Cleaning supplies for accidents
Helping Pets Adjust to Your New Home
First Week Survival Guide
Set up a safe room:
- Designate one room as pet's initial territory
- Include familiar items (bed, toys, litter box)
- Let them explore gradually, room by room
- Don't overwhelm them with entire house at once
Maintain routines:
- Keep feeding schedule consistent
- Walk dogs at similar times
- Play and cuddle as usual
- Familiarity reduces stress
Pet-proof your new home:
- Check for escape routes (gaps under fences, open windows)
- Remove toxic plants
- Secure cabinets with chemicals
- Cover electrical cords
Finding a New Vet
- Schedule wellness check within first 2 weeks
- Transfer medical records from old vet
- Ask your partner or local friends for recommendations
- Read Google reviews
- Locate 24-hour emergency vet
Cats: Special Considerations
- Keep indoor cats inside for 2-3 weeks minimum
- Use Feliway diffusers to reduce stress
- Expect hiding behavior (totally normal)
- Set up multiple litter boxes initially
- Be patient—cats take longer to adjust than dogs
Dogs: Special Considerations
- Explore neighborhood on leash to create new walking routines
- Keep leashed initially in new yard (until you're confident in fencing)
- Be cautious of local wildlife (coyotes, snakes, etc.)
- Consider doggy daycare or dog parks to make new friends
- Update tags and registration immediately
Special Situations
Multiple Pets
- Transport together if bonded (reduces stress)
- Separate if they fight or one gets carsick
- Make sure each has their own safe space in new home
Exotic Pets (Birds, Reptiles, Small Mammals)
- Birds: Cover cage to reduce stress, maintain temperature, never in cargo hold
- Reptiles: Transport in insulated container with heat packs, check state laws
- Fish: Bag individually, insulate cooler, consider rehoming if moving far
- Small mammals: Secure cage, provide hiding spots, maintain temperature
Senior or Special Needs Pets
- Consult vet before move about travel safety
- Consider anxiety medication
- Plan extra breaks during travel
- Ground transport usually better than flying
- Bring medications and medical history
Finding Pet-Friendly Housing
Apartment Hunting With Pets
- Be upfront about pets in applications
- Prepare pet resume (training, vaccinations, references)
- Offer additional pet deposit if allowed
- Provide vet reference letter
- Check breed/weight restrictions carefully
Read more: How to find an apartment in a new city before you move
Common Pet Restrictions
- Weight limits (typically 25-50 lbs)
- Breed restrictions (pit bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds often restricted)
- Number of pets (usually 2 max)
- Additional pet rent ($25-75/month per pet)
- Pet deposit ($200-500, sometimes refundable)
Cost Breakdown
Driving cross-country with pet:
- Pet-friendly hotel surcharges: $100-$300 total
- Gas: (same as without pet)
- Pre-move vet visit: $50-$150
- Total: $150-$450
Flying with pet in cabin:
- Airline pet fee: $95-$200 each way
- Airline-approved carrier: $30-$80
- Health certificate: $50-$150
- Total: $175-$430
Professional pet transport:
- Ground transport: $500-$2,000
- Flight nanny: $1,000-$3,000
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not preparing pet for travel: Practice crate training and car rides weeks in advance
- Changing food suddenly: Keep same food brand to avoid digestive issues
- Forgetting medical records: You'll need them for new vet and boarding
- Letting cat outdoors too soon: Wait 2-3 weeks minimum
- Not updating microchip: Could prevent reunion if pet gets lost
- Overwhelming pet on arrival: Introduce to new home gradually
- Skipping vet checkup: New vet should see pet soon after move
When Rehoming is the Right Choice
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, bringing a pet on a long-distance move isn't feasible:
- Pet has severe anxiety that makes travel dangerous
- Health conditions make travel risky
- New location has species/breed bans
- Financial constraints make proper care impossible
- New housing doesn't allow pets
If you must rehome:
- Start search early (2-3 months before move)
- Screen potential adopters carefully
- Use reputable rescue organizations
- Provide new owner with vet records and pet's routine
- Never abandon or surrender to kill shelter
Final Thoughts
Moving with pets requires extra planning, patience, and expense—but most pet owners wouldn't dream of leaving their furry family members behind. With proper preparation and realistic expectations, you can help your pet transition successfully to your new home.
The key is staying calm (pets pick up on your stress), maintaining routines as much as possible, and giving your pet time to adjust. Within a few weeks, your new place will feel like home to both of you.
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