Moving is stressful for people and even more disorienting for pets, who don't understand why their world is suddenly in boxes. With a little planning, you can keep your animals safe and reduce their anxiety through the whole process. Here's how to handle a move with cats, dogs, and other companions, whether you're moving within Atlanta or across [the metro area](/service-areas).
Before the Move: Prepare Early
Keep your pet's routine as normal as possible in the lead-up. Update their ID tags and microchip information with your new address before move day. If your pet gets anxious in the car or around strangers, talk to your vet about options well in advance.
On Moving Day: Safety First
Moving day is chaotic — doors propped open, strangers coming and going, heavy items in motion. The safest move is to keep pets out of the action entirely:
Set them up in a quiet, closed room with food, water, and familiar bedding, and put a note on the door · Or board them for the day, or leave them with a friend · This protects them from escaping through open doors and keeps the crew's path clear
During Transport
Never transport a pet in the moving truck. Take them in your own vehicle in a secure carrier or harness. Bring water, a leash, and any medications. For longer drives, plan stops for dogs to stretch and relieve themselves.
At the New Home: Ease the Transition
Set up one room first with your pet's familiar items — bed, bowls, toys — and let them adjust there before exploring the rest of the house. Keep their feeding and walking schedule consistent. Cats especially benefit from being confined to one room at first, then gradually given more space.
The Bottom Line
Pets do best when they're kept safe, calm, and out of the moving-day chaos. Confine them during the move, transport them yourself, and reintroduce the new space gradually. A little planning spares them a lot of stress.
Call us: (404) 514-4814 · Mon–Sat, 8am–6pm · Licensed GA HHG #9320 · BBB A+
No — reputable, licensed movers will not transport pets, and federal regulations prohibit it for interstate carriers. Pets must travel in your own vehicle in a secure carrier or harness. The cargo area of a moving truck has no climate control and no way to monitor the animal.
If your pet is anxious, escape-prone, or your move involves heavy foot traffic and propped doors, boarding for the day or leaving them with a friend is the safest choice. Otherwise, a closed quiet room with food, water, and a note on the door works well.
Most dogs settle within a few days to a couple of weeks; cats often take longer — 2 to 6 weeks is typical, and they should be confined to one room at first before gradually exploring. Keeping feeding and walking schedules consistent speeds adjustment for both.