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Moving With Pets in Orlando, Florida: A Guide for a Less Stressful Move

Moving can be stressful for people, but it can also be confusing and unsettling for pets.

Dogs and cats may not understand why furniture is disappearing, boxes are filling the house, and unfamiliar people are walking through their home. Preparing your pets before moving day can help make the transition easier for everyone.

Whether you're moving across Orlando, relocating somewhere else in Central Florida, or moving out of state, having a plan for your pets is an important part of the moving process.

MOVE IT ALL provides residential and commercial moving services throughout Orlando and Central Florida, including local and long-distance moving, packing, loading, unloading, furniture moving, and specialty moving services.

Why Moving Can Be Difficult for Pets

Pets are creatures of habit.

They become accustomed to:

Their home

Their sleeping area

Their food and water locations

Familiar smells

Daily routines

Family members

Neighborhood surroundings

A moving process can change many of these things at once.

Boxes appearing throughout the house, furniture being moved, doors opening frequently, and unfamiliar people entering the home can cause some pets to become anxious or attempt to hide or escape.

Planning ahead can help reduce unnecessary disruption.

Start Preparing Your Pet Before Moving Day

Don't wait until moving day to think about your pet.

Begin preparing several days or weeks ahead of the move when possible.

Keep your pet's normal routine as consistent as possible.

Try to maintain normal:

Feeding times

Walks

Playtime

Sleeping arrangements

Medication schedules

Bathroom routines

Keeping familiar routines can provide some stability while everything else around the home is changing.

Create a Safe Room for Your Pet

One of the most useful things you can do on moving day is keep your pet away from the main moving activity.

Consider placing your pet in a quiet room with:

Food

Water

Bedding

Toys

A litter box for cats

Familiar blankets

Any necessary medication

Keep the door closed and clearly communicate to everyone involved that the room should remain closed.

Another option is having your pet stay with a trusted friend, family member, boarding facility, or other appropriate caregiver during the busiest part of moving day.

Keep Pets Away From Open Doors

Moving day usually means doors are opening and closing repeatedly.

That creates an opportunity for a nervous dog or cat to escape.

A pet that normally never attempts to leave the house may behave differently when surrounded by unfamiliar activity.

Before the movers arrive, make a specific plan for your pet.

Don't rely on someone simply remembering to watch the door.

Pack Your Pet's Belongings Separately

Don't accidentally pack everything your pet needs into the moving truck.

Prepare a separate pet travel bag.

You may want to include:

Food

Water

Bowls

Leash

Collar

Waste bags

Medications

Treats

Toys

Bedding

Towels

Cleaning supplies

Important records

Think of it as an overnight bag for your pet.

Moving With Dogs

Dogs often respond strongly to changes in their environment.

Before moving:

Keep Their Routine

Continue regular walks and feeding schedules.

Update Identification

Make sure your dog's identification information is current.

If your dog has a microchip, verify that the associated contact information is up to date.

Use a Secure Leash

Moving day isn't the time to allow a dog to roam freely around an open house.

Give Them Exercise

A normal walk or appropriate activity before the moving process begins may help your dog settle down.

Moving With Cats

Cats can be especially sensitive to changes in their surroundings.

A cat may hide when strangers enter the home or when furniture starts disappearing.

Consider keeping your cat in a quiet closed room during the moving process.

Place familiar items in the room, such as:

Bedding

Toys

Food

Water

Litter box

Make sure everyone knows that the cat is secured in that room before doors begin opening.

Moving Long Distance With Pets

Long-distance moves require additional planning.

Before leaving, consider:

How your pet will travel

Where your pet will stay overnight

Food and water requirements

Medications

Veterinary records

Identification

Rest stops

Appropriate restraints or carriers

Emergency contact information

If you're moving to another state, check the requirements that apply to bringing your type of pet into the destination state.

Don't Put Your Pet in the Moving Truck

Your pets should not simply be placed in the moving truck with household belongings.

Moving trucks are designed for transporting property, not animals.

Your pet should have a separate, appropriate transportation plan.

For many families, that means traveling with the pet in their personal vehicle or making other arrangements appropriate for the animal.

Prepare Your New Home Before Letting Your Pet Explore

When you arrive at your new home, you don't necessarily have to let your pet immediately explore the entire house.

Consider establishing one quiet room first.

Put familiar items there:

Bed

Food

Water

Toys

Litter box

Blankets

Once the moving activity has settled down, you can gradually allow your pet to become familiar with the rest of the home.

Keep Familiar Items With Your Pet

Moving is already full of unfamiliar sights and smells.

Familiar belongings can provide some continuity.

Consider bringing your pet's existing:

Bed

Blanket

Toys

Bowls

Crate

Scratching post

Favorite items

You don't necessarily need to replace everything immediately after moving.

What About Fish, Birds and Other Pets?

Dogs and cats aren't the only animals that require moving plans.

Depending on the type of pet, you may need special arrangements for:

Birds

Fish

Reptiles

Small mammals

Other animals

Transportation requirements can vary substantially between species.

For unusual or delicate pets, research the appropriate transportation method before moving day rather than improvising.

Moving Your Furniture While Protecting Your Pet

One of the biggest challenges of moving with pets is keeping them safe while furniture is being removed from the house.

Professional movers may be carrying:

Sofas

Tables

Beds

Dressers

Appliances

Large boxes

Heavy furniture

This is another reason to keep pets separated from the active moving area.

Your pet doesn't need to be involved in the moving process.

The safest place for your pet during heavy moving activity is generally away from the work area.

Moving Into a New Orlando Home?

If you're moving within Orlando or another Central Florida community, your pet may be experiencing a completely new environment.

Give your pet time to adjust.

A new home can mean:

New smells

New sounds

New rooms

New neighbors

New yard

New walking routes

Maintaining familiar routines can help make the transition easier.

Pet Moving Day Checklist

Before moving day, make sure you have:

☐ Food
☐ Water
☐ Bowls
☐ Leash or carrier
☐ Collar and identification
☐ Medications
☐ Pet records
☐ Toys
☐ Bedding
☐ Waste bags
☐ Litter box and litter, if applicable
☐ Cleaning supplies
☐ Familiar comfort items
☐ Transportation plan
☐ Safe location for your pet during moving day

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep my dog safe on moving day?

Keep your dog away from the active moving area in a secure room or arrange for the dog to stay with someone you trust during the move.

How do I keep my cat from escaping during a move?

Place your cat in a secure closed room away from the movers and frequently opened exterior doors.

Can my pet ride in the moving truck?

A moving truck is intended for transporting household belongings rather than pets. Make a separate transportation plan for your animal.

Should I move my pet before or after my furniture?

The best approach depends on your circumstances, but keeping your pet away from the active moving area is important. Many owners arrange for their pets to stay elsewhere during the busiest portion of moving day.

What should I pack for my pet?

Pack food, water, bowls, medications, identification, bedding, toys, waste supplies, and anything else your pet normally needs.

How long does it take a pet to adjust after moving?

Every animal is different. Some pets adjust quickly, while others need more time to become comfortable in a new environment.

Need Help With Your Orlando Move?

Preparing your pet is only one part of a successful relocation.

MOVE IT ALL provides residential and commercial moving services throughout Orlando and Central Florida, including:

Local moving

Long-distance moving

Packing

Unloading

Furniture moving