Moving with pets

The short answer

Pets can find moving day stressful, so most owners arrange for cats and dogs to stay somewhere quiet, such as with a friend or in a cattery or kennel, while the removal itself is under way. Once in the new home, keeping pets in one room initially, with familiar bedding and toys, helps them adjust before being given the run of the whole property.

On moving day itself

Doors left open and unfamiliar people carrying furniture can be frightening for pets, and there is a real risk of an animal escaping through an open door. Arranging for pets to stay elsewhere, or securing them in a quiet room away from the activity, reduces this risk considerably.

Settling into the new home

Introducing a pet gradually, starting in one familiar-smelling room with their usual bed, food and water bowls, before opening up access to the rest of the house helps reduce anxiety. For cats especially, keeping them indoors for the first couple of weeks in a new home is generally advised to avoid them wandering off trying to find their old territory.

• Update your pet's microchip details with the new address
• Keep familiar bedding, toys and feeding routines consistent
• Introduce the new home gradually, room by room
• Check local vet registration if you are moving further afield

Practical admin for pet owners

Updating microchip details promptly is important in case a pet goes missing during the unsettled period after a move, and registering with a local vet practice near the new address means you have support on hand if needed.

What it usually costs

Indicative ranges only, to help you judge a quote. They are not an estimate for your property — only the business doing the work can give you that.

• Cattery or kennel boarding for moving day: roughly £15–£30 per day depending on the animal and facility
• Microchip detail update: often free or a small administration fee, typically under £10

What to do, in order

1. 1Arrange for pets to stay elsewhere or in a quiet room on moving day
2. 2Update microchip details with the new address as soon as you move
3. 3Pack a familiar bed, bowls and toys accessible for the first night
4. 4Introduce pets to the new home gradually, room by room
5. 5Register with a local vet practice if you have moved further afield
6. 6Keep cats indoors for the first couple of weeks to help them settle

Local detail for the Lothians

• Catteries and kennels around Edinburgh and the Lothians can get booked up in summer, so arranging boarding for moving day early is worthwhile
• Flats in tenement buildings with communal stairs need extra care to prevent pets escaping through a propped-open close door during a removal
• Rural properties in East Lothian often have more outdoor space, so checking fencing and boundaries before letting a dog out unsupervised is sensible
• Local vet practices across the Lothians vary in availability for new patient registrations, so it is worth arranging this soon after moving

Common questions

Should I keep my pet at home during the move?

Many owners find it easier to arrange boarding or a quiet room away from the activity, since open doors and unfamiliar noise can be stressful for pets.

Do I need to update my pet's microchip when I move?

Yes, updating the address on the microchip database as soon as possible helps reunite you with your pet if it goes missing.

Related pages

• Moving home checklist

  A week-by-week plan covering everything from instructing a solicitor to collecting the keys.

• Moving day timeline

  What a typical moving day looks like, hour by hour, from the removal van's arrival to the last box.

• Moving with children

  Practical steps to make moving day easier for children, from schools to settling in.