Pets are family members — and they experience moving stress in ways that can be difficult to recognize and manage. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds all pick up on the chaos of packing, the presence of strangers, and the disruption of their familiar environment. With the right preparation, you can help your pets navigate a move with minimal stress. Here’s how to manage moving with pets in the Twin Cities.
Start Acclimating Your Pet to Changes Early
Pets notice changes long before the actual moving day. Moving boxes, the removal of furniture, and changes in your behavior all register as signs of disruption.
Start acclimating pets early: allow them to investigate moving boxes, maintain regular feeding and play schedules, and keep their rest areas intact as long as possible.
Moving Day: Keep Pets Out of the Action
Moving day is genuinely unsafe for pets — doors constantly opening, heavy items being carried, and strangers moving through every room.
Options: board your pet for the day, arrange for a trusted friend or pet-sitter to take them, or secure them in a single quiet room with food, water, litter/a bathroom area, and their favorite items. Post a note on that door: ‘Pet Inside — Please Don’t Open.’
Transporting Your Pet
If your pet travels in a carrier, take the carrier out weeks before the move and leave it accessible with bedding inside so they associate it with comfort, not just vet visits.
For longer transport (if crossing the metro), bring water, familiar toys, and minimize stops. Keep the car at a comfortable temperature for the animal.
Never transport pets in the moving truck — the environment is inappropriate and potentially unsafe.
Setting Up a Safe Space at the New Home
When you arrive at the new home, set up a safe room for your pet before the chaos of unpacking begins: food, water, litter box or designated bathroom area, and familiar bedding.
Allow the pet to explore the new home gradually — room by room over the first few days, rather than a flood of new spaces at once.
Signs of Moving Stress in Pets
Loss of appetite or excessive eating, hiding, changes in litter box use, excessive vocalization, and unusual aggression or withdrawal are all signs of moving-related stress.
Most pets adjust within 1-2 weeks. If signs of stress persist beyond three weeks, consult your veterinarian.
Ready to Move? Let’s Make It Easy.
At Cheep Cheep Movers, we make local moving in the Twin Cities affordable and stress-free. Whether you need a full-service move or just some extra muscle, we’re here to help.
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