How to make moving to a new home less stressful for dogs and cats

Here’s what she and other animal behavior experts have to say about transitioning your dog (or cat) to your next home.

First, figure out how you’ll get your pet to your new place. If you need to fly your pet, you’ll want to start getting your ducks in a row a few months before takeoff. Look at the regulations of the airline you’re flying and where you’re going; those will determine what health certificates your pet needs and help you select an approved carrier.

Most cats and small dogs should be light enough to ride along in the cabin with you, but larger animals may need to be stowed, and their kennels need to abide by International Air Transport Association regulations. At the recommendation of the American Veterinary Medical Association, most airlines will not accept a dog or cat that’s under sedative medication, as the effects can be unpredictable at high altitudes.

“Sedation can interfere with the animal’s ability to move and adjust its position and thermoregulate,” says Carlo Siracusa, a veterinarian and professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. He adds that sedation can also cause respiratory depression, or breathing to become slow and shallow. The temperature of the plane and being confined in a carrier can pose additional risks for dogs. “If your dog has problems of excessive anxiety, fear or aggression, always consider whether flying with them is really necessary,” Siracusa says.

If you absolutely must stow your large dog or cat, you should get them adjusted at home to their crate well in advance, according to Angela Passman, a board member with the International Pet And Animal Transportation Association who runs her own animal travel company. Siracusa also recommends figuring out the temperature of the plane and adding bedding that will keep your pet at a comfortable temperature, as well as consulting with a vet about what food your pet should eat and when to eat it before a flight.

“We find the biggest problem, especially [in the summer], is that everyone waits until the last minute to begin with their travel plan,” Passman says. “Plan ahead. … Not getting them acclimated to the proper crate, that’s the biggest problem we have.”

If you’re avoiding the airport and opting for a drive, make sure to map out stopping points for potty breaks and veterinary centers along your route in case of an emergency — and if you’re planning on staying a night in a hotel, triple-check its pet policy. Most owners know whether the car is a dreaded or celebrated experience for their cat or dog; if it’s the former, go for a few practice spins before embarking on a long journey.

In an ideal world, it’d be helpful to show your dog or cat around a new neighborhood or house before the move, according to Amy Pike, a veterinary behaviorist with the Animal Behavior Wellness Center in Fairfax County, Va. It’s not always possible, but if your next place is a short distance away, incorporating the new neighborhood into a few walks leading up to the move or even playing outside the home can get dogs acclimated to the scents of their new digs. You might try letting a cat explore your future bedroom or living room before the full move.

“The more you can take them over, the better, because that way, it’s like, ‘Oh, that’s just this new fun place that we go to!’ and they can associate it with their favorite games, tug-of-war, ball play or treats,” Pike says.

You’ll also want to scope out any potential problems for your pet while in the new home. For example, Moberg says, hardwood or slippery floors can be physically uncomfortable for dogs, especially older ones, so you’ll want to pick up some rugs or mats before you settle in.

According to Pike, who has navigated eight moves with her pets, it’s imperative to find a safe place to keep your animals on moving day, away from all the hubbub. Whether it’s movers, friends or family helping you out, there will probably be a lot of commotion. Not only can this be distressing for your pet, it can lead to a disaster.

“No matter how many times you tell the people, ‘Hey, we have pets, keep the doors closed,’ somebody forgets,” says Pike, who has heard about numerous instances of cats or dogs running away during a move. “So it’s definitely best to keep them at a boarding kennel or at a friend’s house.”

If that’s not an option, put your pet in an enclosed area of the new home while the rest of the move is carried out. Ideally, this is a room that your pet will always be allowed in — this way they can immediately start to claim their territory and make it their own. Leave them with some toys, a frozen treat or a food puzzle to work on as you unload your stuff. For a cat, don’t forget to give them a litter box.

Amid all the change, it’s important to maintain some threads of familiarity for your pets. Just like humans, our animals can find comfort in routine.

“Especially when we’re changing their environment, keeping their routine can help them adjust a little bit easier, with less stress,” Moberg says.

This may look different for every pet, but in broad strokes, try to keep your dog or cat on a similar schedule in your new place as they had in their old home; feed, walk and play with them at the same time; don’t bury their favorite item in a box; make sure their favorite blanket or that random sock they’ve decided is the most special object in the world is readily available.

If you’re dealing with a particularly anxious dog or cat, a change in noise level from one home to another can be stressful. A move from a relatively quiet space to a location with more windows or street traffic can result in some unhappy behavior — for example, incessant barking or accidents in the house among dogs, or, for cats, hiding or going to the bathroom outside the litter box. Moberg suggests using a white noise machine to drown out cars and strangers or playing calming sounds over a speaker for the first few days. You can also hang thick curtains or apply frosted film to your windows to prevent your animal from getting too worked up over the new sights and sounds.

“Set up the environment to prevent undesirable behavior from even taking place,” Moberg says. “You can also do this after the undesirable behavior has started, but it’s ideal to prevent it.”

And as much as you may want to host friends to celebrate your new space, Moberg says, you may want to hold off on the housewarming party until your pet is better situated.

“Let them decompress, and don’t do anything overwhelming,” she says.

And anyway, you could probably benefit from a little downtime, too.

Colleen Grablick is a writer in D.C. who covers news and the occasional curiosity.