Moving house can be a big change for the whole whānau — and that includes your pets.
While you're thinking about boxes, furniture, keys and transport, your dog or cat may simply notice that their familiar surroundings are changing. Moving day can also mean unfamiliar people coming into the house, doors being opened frequently and furniture being moved around.
With a little preparation, you can make the transition easier for both you and your pet.
If you're moving within Christchurch, relocating to another Canterbury town or heading further afield, here's a practical guide to help you prepare your pet for moving day and settling into their new home.
Pets become accustomed to their surroundings and daily routines. Their home is familiar territory, from where they sleep to where they eat and the sounds they hear each day.
During a house move, many of these things change at once.
For example, moving day can involve:
The SPCA New Zealand guide to moving house with a dog recommends keeping a dog's routine as consistent as possible during a move and using familiar belongings, such as their favourite bed or toys, to help them feel secure. It also advises making sure the new property is secure so a dog cannot escape while adjusting to the new surroundings.
Don't leave everything until the morning of the move.
As soon as your moving date is confirmed, think about how your pet will be looked after before, during and after the move.
Create a simple pet-moving plan covering:
Having this organised means you can concentrate on the actual move without constantly worrying about where your pet is.
One of the most useful things you can do on moving day is to keep your pet away from the main activity.
With movers carrying furniture and boxes in and out, doors may be open much more frequently than normal.
This creates a potential escape risk, particularly for nervous dogs and cats.
Consider keeping your pet:
If your pet remains at home, place a clear note on the door reminding everyone not to let them out.
For dogs, the SPCA specifically highlights that moving house is a higher-risk period for losing a dog and recommends ensuring their new home is secure.
When you're packing, it can be tempting to box everything up at once.
For your pet, however, familiar items can be useful during the transition.
Keep their:
These don't need to go onto the moving truck straight away.
Instead, keep them easily accessible so you can set up a familiar space as soon as you arrive.
Moving to a new home is already a major change.
Where possible, keep your pet's routine similar to what they are used to.
Try to maintain their normal:
For dogs in particular, maintaining a familiar routine can help them adjust to the new surroundings. The SPCA's moving-house advice also recommends spending time with your dog in the new home and helping them gradually become comfortable there.
Just as you might prepare an overnight bag for yourself, prepare one for your pet.
Your pet bag could include:
Keep this bag with you rather than packing it into the moving truck.
That way, you won't have to search through boxes if your pet needs something during the journey.
Dogs may find the activity of moving day particularly confusing because they can see people moving furniture and belongings around.
Before the movers arrive, give your dog some exercise if this fits their normal routine.
Then keep them in a safe and secure area away from the loading process.
When you arrive at the new property, don't immediately give your dog unrestricted access to the entire house.
Instead, start with a safe area containing familiar belongings.
Once things have settled down, allow your dog to explore gradually.
Before letting your dog explore outside, check:
A new house may have different fencing, gates or outdoor spaces from your previous property.
Taking a few minutes to check them can help prevent an escape.
Cats can react differently to a house move.
Many cats are strongly attached to familiar territory, so the sudden change can be unsettling.
For the first part of the move, keep your cat in a secure carrier and away from the loading and unloading activity.
At the new property, consider setting up one quiet room with:
Once your cat appears comfortable, you can gradually introduce them to more of the house.
Never leave a cat loose while movers are carrying furniture through open doors.
Once your pet's arrangements are sorted, you can concentrate on your belongings.
This is where professional movers can make a difference.
Moving a whole household involves much more than loading boxes. Large furniture, appliances and fragile belongings may require careful planning and handling.
Christchurch Movers provides house moving services across Christchurch, Canterbury and other parts of New Zealand, including packing and transportation.
If you want the moving team to handle the heavy lifting while you concentrate on your family and pets, you can discuss your requirements when requesting a quote.
There isn't one solution that works for every household.
Your options may include:
This can be a good option for pets who are comfortable with someone they already know.
If your pet becomes particularly anxious around strangers or unfamiliar environments, temporary care may make moving day easier.
If your pet remains at home, choose a room away from the main moving activity and make sure everyone knows that the room is off limits.
This can be suitable for cats and other pets that normally travel in carriers.
The most important thing is to prevent your pet from getting underfoot or escaping while furniture and boxes are being moved.
A house move is also a good time to check that your pet's identification information is up to date.
For dogs, the SPCA recommends updating microchip details after moving house or changing contact numbers. The organisation notes that outdated microchip information can make it harder to reunite lost dogs with their owners.
Check your pet's:
Keep your vet's contact information handy as well.
If you're moving from Christchurch to another part of the country, you'll need to think about the journey as well as the house move.
Before travelling, consider:
For longer relocations, speak with your veterinarian if you have concerns about how your pet will cope with travel.
If you're moving internationally, the requirements are different.
New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has specific requirements for cats and dogs entering New Zealand. Anyone bringing a pet into New Zealand should check the latest MPI requirements rather than relying on an older moving guide.
If possible, get the basics ready before introducing your pet to the entire property.
Set up:
For dogs:
For cats:
You don't need every room completely unpacked.
Your pet is likely to benefit more from having a familiar, calm space than from having a perfectly organised home on the first day.
Before the movers arrive, look through your belongings and decide what actually needs to come with you.
This applies to pet belongings too.
Check:
There is little point transporting items you no longer need.
Decluttering can also make packing and unpacking easier.
If you're moving only a few larger belongings rather than an entire household, you can also consider a single-item moving service in Christchurch.
Before moving day, make sure you've covered these essentials:
☐ Confirm your moving date
☐ Arrange your Christchurch house movers
☐ Decide where your pet will stay during moving day
☐ Check your pet's identification details
☐ Prepare a pet travel bag
☐ Keep familiar bedding and toys available
☐ Arrange medication if required
☐ Plan your pet's transport
☐ Keep your pet away from the moving activity
☐ Keep doors and gates secure
☐ Keep food, water and medication accessible
☐ Keep your pet's essentials with you
☐ Don't pack their favourite comfort items into the moving truck
☐ Check the old property before leaving
☐ Check fences, gates and doors
☐ Set up a quiet area for your pet
☐ Keep familiar belongings nearby
☐ Maintain normal feeding and exercise routines
☐ Introduce the new home gradually
☐ Update any remaining address details
If your move is taking you outside Christchurch, the same preparation applies, but you'll also want to plan the transport distance and timing.
For example, if you're relocating to Rolleston, you can find out more about moving services in Rolleston.
If you're heading north, Christchurch Movers also provides moving services in Rangiora and moving services in Kaiapoi.
Discuss the exact pickup and delivery addresses with your moving company so they can understand the requirements of your move.
Moving house with a pet requires a little more planning, but it doesn't have to become overwhelming.
By arranging your pet's care in advance, keeping their routine familiar and making sure they are secure during loading and unloading, you can make moving day easier for everyone.
And when it comes to the physical move, you don't have to do all the heavy lifting yourself.
Christchurch Movers offers house moving, furniture moving, packing and storage, single-item moving and other relocation services.
If you're planning a move in Christchurch or elsewhere in Canterbury, contact the Christchurch Movers team for a free quote and discuss what you need help with.
Phone: 0800 215 205
Email: info@christchurchmovers.nz
Address : Christchurch Central
Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
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