Moving is stressful for people, and it can be even more confusing for pets. Dogs and cats rely on routine and familiar surroundings, and a house full of boxes, strangers carrying furniture and doors left open is about as unfamiliar as it gets. A little planning goes a long way to keeping them safe and calm.
At Quick ’n’ Slick, our team mascot Lola is a reminder that pets are part of the family. This guide covers everything from the weeks before your move to the first few weeks in your new home.
Before the move: prepare gradually
Pets pick up on change quickly. The more gradual the build-up to moving day, the calmer they’ll usually be.
- Bring out boxes early. Let your pets get used to them over a couple of weeks, rather than having the house turned upside down overnight.
- Introduce the carrier. Leave the cat carrier or dog crate out with a blanket inside, so it becomes a familiar, safe place.
- Keep the routine steady. Feed, walk and play at the usual times, even as the packing builds up.
- Pack their things last. Leave beds, toys and bowls until the end, so their space feels normal for as long as possible.
- Check in with your vet if your pet gets very anxious, and ask for copies of their records.
Paperwork: microchips and council registration
A move is the easiest time to forget the admin, and it matters most if a pet gets lost in the new neighbourhood.
| Task | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Update microchip details | If your pet gets lost, the microchip needs to point to your new address and phone number |
| Register with your new council | In Victoria, dogs and cats must be registered with the local council, so register with your new council if you’ve changed council areas |
| Update ID tags | A tag with your phone number is the quickest way back home |
| Check local rules | Some councils have cat curfews or rules about where dogs can be off-lead |
| Find a local vet | Know where to go before you need one |
Your new council’s website explains its registration process and local rules. Many councils also have rules about keeping cats contained, at night or at all times, so it’s worth checking before you move.
Renting with a pet in Victoria
If you’re moving into a rental with a pet, check the arrangements before you sign. Victorian renters can ask their rental provider for consent to keep a pet using a pet request process. Consumer Affairs Victoria explains how it works and what a rental provider can and can’t do. Sorting it out before the move avoids stress later.
Moving day: keep pets safe and out of the way
Moving day is the riskiest part for pets. Doors are propped open, people are carrying heavy furniture, and a frightened cat or dog can slip out in seconds. Choose one of these options:
| Option | Best for | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| A quiet, closed room | Calm pets that are fine on their own for a few hours | Put a sign on the door so no one opens it |
| With a friend or family member | Dogs that are used to them | Drop them off before the crew arrives |
| Boarding or day care | Anxious pets, or big moves | Book early, as places fill up |
If your pet stays in a room at home, set it up with water, a bed, a litter tray or familiar toys, and keep it closed until the truck is loaded. Tell the crew where your pets are when they arrive.
Travelling with your pet
Pets should always travel with you, never in the removal truck. Here’s how to make the trip easier:
- Cats should travel in a secure carrier, with a blanket that smells familiar.
- Dogs should be restrained in the car, with a harness, a crate or a dog guard.
- Never leave pets in a hot car, even for a few minutes. Melbourne summer days can be dangerous.
- Bring water, a lead, poo bags and any medications.
- Keep it calm. Quiet music and a steady drive help nervous pets.
Pack a pet essentials box
Just like your own essentials box, pack one for your pets and keep it in the car with you:
- Food, treats, and food and water bowls
- Bedding and a favourite toy
- Litter tray and litter for cats
- Lead, harness and poo bags for dogs
- Medications and vet records
- Cleaning supplies for any accidents
Our room-by-room packing guide covers your own essentials box too.
Settling in: the first few days
When you arrive, resist the urge to let your pets explore the whole house straight away. Start small:
- Set up one quiet room first, with their bed, bowls, toys and litter tray, before you let them out of the carrier.
- Keep routines the same: meals, walks and bedtime at the usual times.
- Expand gradually, letting them explore one room at a time.
- Check the yard and fences for gaps before letting dogs out unsupervised.
- Spend time with them. Your presence is the most familiar thing in a new place.
Signs your pet is stressed
Every pet reacts to a move differently. Keep an eye out for signs that yours is finding it hard:
| Sign | What can help |
|---|---|
| Hiding more than usual | Give them a quiet, safe space and let them come out in their own time |
| Not eating | Keep their usual food and feeding times, and talk to your vet if it continues |
| Restlessness or pacing | Extra walks or play, and a steady routine |
| Toileting accidents | Patience, a familiar litter tray, and more frequent toilet breaks |
| Excessive vocalising | Familiar bedding and time with you |
Most pets settle within a few weeks. If your pet’s behaviour worries you, or it doesn’t improve, talk to your vet.
Older pets and pets with health conditions
Older pets, and those with health conditions, can find a move harder. Talk to your vet before the move about anything that might help, keep medications with you rather than packed, and choose a cool, calm day for the move if you can. Make sure the new home has an easy, comfortable spot set up for them from the first night.
Moving with a cat
Cats are often more unsettled by a move than dogs, because they’re attached to their territory. Many vets suggest keeping a cat indoors for at least a couple of weeks after a move, so it learns that the new home is its base. Check your council’s rules too, since some councils require cats to be kept contained at night or at all times.
When a cat does start going outside, do it gradually and under supervision, ideally just before a meal so it has a reason to come back.
Moving with a dog
Dogs usually adjust quickly as long as their routine stays the same. Walk your dog around the new neighbourhood early on, so it learns the smells and sounds. Check fences and gates carefully, because a new yard can have gaps you don’t know about. If your dog is anxious, keep the first few days quiet and predictable.
Small pets, birds and fish
Smaller pets need their own planning:
- Rabbits, guinea pigs and birds should travel with you in secure, well-ventilated carriers, out of direct sun.
- Fish need special care. Ask your aquarium supplier how best to move them, and move tanks empty.
- Reptiles are sensitive to temperature, so ask your vet about travel arrangements.
Animal enclosures and fish tanks are specialist items under our terms and conditions, so please mention them when you book.
Getting help from friends and family
If a friend or family member your pet already knows can look after them on moving day, it’s often the calmest option. Drop your pet off before the crew arrives, and collect them once the new home has a quiet room set up. Leave food, a familiar blanket and clear instructions, and make sure they have your phone number.
Choosing a moving date that suits your pets
If you can, avoid moving on very hot days, especially with older pets or flat-faced breeds that struggle in heat. A mild weekday with an early start is easiest for everyone. Our guide to the best time to move in Melbourne covers seasons and timing.
Your moving-with-pets checklist
- Bring out boxes and carriers a couple of weeks early.
- Book boarding or a pet sitter for moving day if needed.
- Pack a pet essentials box to travel with you.
- Keep pets in a closed room or away from home on moving day.
- Travel with pets in the car, never in the truck.
- Set up a quiet, familiar room first at the new home.
- Update microchip details and ID tags.
- Register with your new council if you’ve changed council areas.
Ready to plan the move itself? Our instant quote takes about a minute, and our moving checklist covers everything else.
