Moving Home with Kids & Pets: A Stress-Free Guide

Telling the Kids: Timing Matters

Children under 7 need simple, positive framing ("We're moving to a new house with a bigger garden"). Children 8–14 benefit from being included in decisions — ask them to choose their new bedroom, the paint colour, or which boxes carry their toys. Teenagers need the truth, early, and a clear plan for staying in touch with friends.

Never spring the news the week before completion. We've seen this trigger genuine school-age anxiety symptoms — sleeplessness, stomach-aches, behaviour changes. Four to six weeks gives children time to process, say goodbye, and start getting excited.

Moving Day with Little Kids (Under 8)

If at all possible, arrange childcare for move day itself. Grandparents, a close friend, or a paid childminder for 8–10 hours will cost far less than the stress and slow-down of supervising children around open doorways, stairwells and a loaded van.

If childcare isn't an option, set up a single "safe room" — ideally the old property's lounge — with the TV, tablet, snacks, toys and a child gate. Brief your movers: "Please don't open the lounge door without knocking." Our teams are used to this and will work around it happily.

Pack a clearly-labelled "Child First-Night Box" containing pyjamas, a favourite stuffed toy, the nightlight, bedtime book, toothbrush, sippy cup and a photo of the old bedroom. Unpack this box FIRST.

Dogs on Moving Day

Dogs pick up on stress instantly. A normally placid retriever can become bolty, clingy or nauseous simply from watching everything they know disappear into a van. The kindest option for most dogs is doggy day-care or a friend's house for the full 6–10 hours of the move.

If the dog must travel with you, walk them hard first thing, feed a LIGHT breakfast (half portion) at least 3 hours before the drive to reduce travel sickness, and always use a proper crash-tested harness or crate. Pack a go-bag: lead, water bowl, familiar blanket, 48 hours of food, medication, and their vaccination/microchip paperwork.

At the new house, lead them on-lead through every room, let them sniff, then confine them to one calm room with their bed and water while the rest of the house is unpacked.

Cats on Moving Day

Cats hate moving more than any other common pet. Three rules: carrier, quiet, and Feliway. Put the cat in a secure hard carrier by 6am, keep them in a closed bathroom (with water and a tray) until the moving van leaves, then travel them in the carrier on the back seat of your car — never in the van.

At the new house, put the cat + carrier + tray + water + food directly into a single spare bedroom with the door closed. Don't release them into the whole house until the following day. Plug in a Feliway diffuser in that room the day before you arrive if possible.

Never let a cat outside for at least 14 days after moving. They will try to walk back to the old house — we've had clients call from 30 miles away because the cat got out on day 2.

Settling In: The First Week

Unpack the kids' rooms first — even before the kitchen. A familiar bed, familiar toys and familiar pyjamas will buy you days of calmer evenings while you sort the rest of the house.

Register with a new GP, dentist and (crucially) vet within the first 7 days. Ask neighbours for school run recommendations. Walk the route to the new school before day one.

Build small rituals fast: Friday movie night, Sunday morning bakery run, dog walk at the same park. Rituals rebuild safety after disruption — for kids, pets and adults alike.