Moving house with a dog or cat: keeping them safe (UK)
Updated 5 October 2026 · 4 min read
Moving is stressful for pets. They can slip out in the chaos of moving day, and in a new area they don't know the way home. A little planning keeps them safe.
Before the move
- Update your pet's microchip with your new address before moving day, so a vet or warden can reach you if they get lost on the way or in the new area. Some databases charge for an address change: HomeAgain is free, PETtrac charges £6, and Petlog customers who joined from 13 January 2026 need a plan from £15 a year (see what microchipping costs).
- Get a new tag with your new details, or update your pet's PetTag profile. For a dog it's the law: in public, its collar must show your name and address, so that means the new one (the Control of Dogs Order 1992).
- If you're moving to a new area, register with a new vet before you go, as Dogs Trust suggests.
- Take a few new photos, in case you need them for posters.
- If your pet gets anxious, ask your vet for advice well before the day.
On moving day
- Keep your pet in a quiet room with the door shut and a sign on it, with water and bedding. Or ask a friend or a dog sitter to have them for the day. Cats Protection suggests booking a cat into a cattery the day before, if you'd rather, as long as their vaccinations are up to date.
- Pack their things last and unpack them first, so familiar smells are there when they arrive.
- Travel with cats in a secure carrier. For dogs, Dogs Trust suggests a dog guard, crate or seatbelt harness in the car, and regular stops on a long journey.
- When you arrive, set up a quiet space with their bed, toys and water before the boxes come in.
Settling in: dogs
- Check the garden fences and gates for gaps, and for toxic plants, before letting your dog out.
- Keep your dog on the lead in the new area for the first few weeks.
- Keep meals and walks at the usual times, so the routine feels familiar.
Settling in: cats
- Keep your cat indoors for at least three weeks, so they learn the new house is home. Our guide to letting a cat out for the first time covers the first trips.
- Let them out for the first time in the morning or early afternoon, just before a meal so they're keen to come back, and stay out with them. Cats Protection suggests leaving the door open so they can retreat, and starting with short trips.
- If you've moved nearby, your cat may try to go back to your old home. Ask the new owners and your old neighbours to let you know if they see them.
Update everything
- The microchip database
- Your pet's tag or PetTag profile
- Your vet, or register with a new one if you've moved further away
- Your pet insurance
Quick answers
How long should I keep my cat in after moving house?+
At least three weeks, so they get used to the new home. Then let them out for short trips just before mealtimes.
When should I update my pet's microchip after moving?+
Before moving day, as soon as you know your new address. If your pet gets lost in the new area, the microchip is how a vet or council finds you. Update your dog's tag too, because the law says it must show your current address.
Sources (4)
This guide is general information, not legal or veterinary advice. How we write our guides
