Tips on moving pets interstate

For many of us, our pets are part of the family and we wouldn’t dream of leaving them behind when moving to your new home- even if it means a little more hassle around an interstate move. 

Whether you have birds, dogs, cats, fish or any other type of animal, your pets are going to find the pet travel and relocation process stressful and may find their new habitat unfamiliar and insecure. This may then lead them to feel unwell, resulting in changed behaviour, aggression or depression. As a responsible owner who loves their pet, you’re going to want to make everything as easy and stress-free as possible for them.

We thought it was a good idea to share some pet-friendly tips for moving pets interstate:

Plan, Plan, Plan..

An interstate move is a big deal and there can never be enough planning to do, especially if you’re moving interstate with a pet. 

• If possible, take the trip yourself first to know what to expect and how long things will take. This will make the real thing a lot easier for you and your pets.
• How do you plan on travelling? Are you going to be driving or flying? Generally, it’s better to take a direct flight because it will take less time and therefore put less stress on your pet. If you’re taking to the skies, get in touch with the airline well in advance to find out what you need to do in terms of preparation, paperwork and other considerations, such as your pet’s cage.
• If you’re driving, do make sure that you have enough food for your pet, as well as familiar toys and blankets to help them feel secure. Plan out regular stops for walks if you have a dog, and if you are staying in hotels along the way, clarify that they are pet-friendly.

Clear It With a Vet

We highly recommend telling your vet about the moving plans and ask them for any advice on how to keep your pet calm, and if there is anything else you should know about transporting it safely.

Make sure to let them know that you are moving interstate so that they can issue any required paperwork and treatment histories, including vaccination and other legalities. If your pet is generally a little anxious or prone to panicked behaviour, you can also talk to your vet about safe methods of sedation.

Treat Your Pet

The best way to prepare your pet for moving interstate is to introduce it to the new changes as early as possible. For instance, if you have a dog or a cat, leave your packing boxes and materials (not the cardboard ones) out in the open so that they can get used to the smells, and of course make sure that you don’t pack away their beds, food bowls, blankets and toys until the last moment.

When moving day come around, put your pet in a quiet room away from all the moving staff, travel crates,
trucks, noise and bustle. Of course, they will still notice strangers in the house and a lot of noise, but by separating them from it all you can at least reduce their anxiety. Then, once you’re ready to go, plenty of treats snacks and familiar objects are essential.

Give Your Pet Plenty of Attention

On moving day its important to give your pet some plenty of attention to help distract it from the journey.

Settling In

Once you’ve arrived at your new home, it’s time for introduction and exploration. While you might be excited about a new environment, your pet will instantly feel like they are in another world. Give them the time to come out of their cage or container at their own pace and make sure to be present, but not too pushy. Talk to them gently so that they can hear your voice and maintain as much familiarity as possible. 

Let them explore the new home at their own pace, and simply follow them as they cautiously make their way from room to room. Then, place their food bowls and beds in similar rooms as before, such as the kitchen. For dog owners, taking them out for plenty of walks around the outside of the house will help them feel more secure, and for those with cats that go outside, wait at least a week or two before letting them go. And once outside, stay close with treats that make an audible rattle so that you can call them back if they go too far.

Talk To Your Removalists

Chances are that your interstate removalist has experience in dealing with pets and can advise you on the best way to make the move.

They may even be able to provide you with specialist equipment such as cages and containers or recommend where to rent or buy them so it’s a good idea to see what advice they can offer. 

At Zoom, we know that transporting pets interstate can be a handful- so if you have any questions at any time, just give our team a call and they’ll be more than happy to advise for a stress-free move –  Good luck!

Need Moving Assistance?

We hope you enjoyed our blog post on moving pets interstate. For more interstate moving tips check out

• Avoiding The Challenges of Moving Interstate
• Moving Interstate For Work
• Three Never Fails Moving Interstate Tips

Additional Moving Services

We highly recommend checking out our removals insurance, use our free moving boxes and consider our movers and packers services too they all help improve your overall peace of mind for any move.