Moving House with Pets in London
A stress-free guide to relocating with cats, dogs, and other pets. Tips for keeping them calm, safe, and happy throughout your move.
Moving house is stressful enough for humans, but for our four-legged friends it can be genuinely overwhelming. Pets thrive on routine and familiar scents — a house move turns their world upside down. With the right preparation, you can make the transition much smoother for your furry family members.
Keeping Pets Calm on Moving Day
Moving day is chaotic — strangers in your home, doors left open, furniture being moved. This is a recipe for stressed and potentially escaped pets. Here's how to manage it:
- Create a safe room: Designate one quiet room (a bathroom or spare bedroom) as your pet's sanctuary on moving day. Put their bed, water, food, toys, and litter tray in there. Put a sign on the door: "Pet in here — do not open."
- Ask a friend or sitter: The best option is to have a trusted friend, family member, or pet sitter take your pet for the day. A walk in the park or a day at a friend's house is far less stressful than being in the middle of the move.
- Pheromone products: Feliway (for cats) and Adaptil (for dogs) are synthetic pheromone diffusers that have a calming effect. Plug one in the safe room a few days before the move and continue using it in your new home.
- Keep routines: Stick to feeding and walking times as closely as possible. Routine is comforting — disruption adds stress.
- Vet-prescribed sedatives: For severely anxious pets, speak to your vet about short-term calming medication. Test it before moving day to see how your pet reacts.
Pet-Friendly Temporary Accommodation
If your move involves a gap between properties, or you're staying in temporary accommodation, finding pet-friendly options in London is essential:
- Pet-friendly hotels: Premier Inn, Holiday Inn, and Travelodge all accept pets at most London locations. Book ahead — pet-friendly rooms are limited and fill up fast.
- Airbnb with pets: Use Airbnb's pet filter to find properties that welcome animals. Message hosts before booking to confirm pet policies and any additional fees.
- Boarding kennels and catteries: For the actual moving week, consider professional boarding. It's often the least stressful option for everyone — your pet gets professional care while you handle the chaos.
- Friends or family: Don't underestimate the kindness of loved ones. A weekend with grandma or a trusted friend is a holiday for your pet.
Finding Pet-Safe Removal Companies
Not all removal companies think about pets. Here's how to make sure your movers are pet-conscious:
- Ask about pet experience: When getting quotes, ask removal companies if they're comfortable working around pets. Professional movers handle pets every day and know how to work without startling them.
- Brief the team: On moving day, tell the removal team about your pet immediately. Show them the "safe room" door and explain that it stays closed. A good team will respect this completely.
- Microchip and ID check: Before moving day, make sure your pet's microchip details are up-to-date. A stressed pet can slip out an open door — current microchip info is your safety net.
- Move pets last, settle first: The ideal order: move all your belongings first, then transport your pet to the new home, and keep them in a quiet room while you unpack. They should be the last to leave the old house and the first to be settled in the new one.
Settling Pets into Your New Home
Once you're in the new property, help your pet adjust with these proven tips:
- Start small: Confine your pet to one room initially — their safe room with familiar bedding, toys, and scent. Gradually expand their access over a few days as they gain confidence.
- Use familiar items: Set up their bed, blankets, bowls, and toys exactly as they were in the old house. Familiar scents are enormously comforting for pets in a new environment.
- Cats need extra patience: Cats are territorial and take longer to adjust. Keep them indoors for at least 2-3 weeks so they recognise the new home as "theirs." Use a Feliway diffuser and provide plenty of hiding spots.
- Dogs need routine walks: Establish your new walking route immediately. Dogs take comfort from regular exercise and known paths. Use the same walk times as before.
- Be patient: It can take weeks or even months for a pet to fully settle. Watch for signs of stress: changes in appetite, hiding, excessive grooming, or unusual behaviour. Give them time and extra love.
Finding a New Vet in London
Registering with a new vet should be one of your first priorities after moving. Here's how to find a good one in London:
- Ask for recommendations: Check local community Facebook groups, Nextdoor, or ask neighbours. London pet owners are vocal about good (and bad) vets.
- Check 24-hour emergency vets: Note the nearest emergency vet clinic — you don't want to be searching at 2 AM. Medivet, Vets Now, and PDSA have 24-hour London locations.
- Transfer records: Ask your previous vet to transfer your pet's records to the new practice. This ensures continuity of care, especially for ongoing conditions or medication.
- Update microchip details: Don't forget to update your pet's microchip with your new address. You can do this through databases like Petlog or Identibase — it only takes five minutes online.
Pet Moving Day Essentials Kit
- Food and water bowls (familiar ones)
- Enough food and treats for a week
- Familiar bedding, blanket, and toys
- Leads, harnesses, collars with ID tags
- Litter tray and litter (cats)
- Poo bags and cleaning supplies
- Current vet contact details and records
- Calming pheromone diffuser (Feliway/Adaptil)
- Medication if prescribed by vet
Moving with Pets? We Can Help
Professional removal services in London with pet-friendly teams. We're used to working around your furry family members.