Moving With Pets in Los Angeles: Complete Guide

After helping thousands of families relocate across Los Angeles, our Green Moving team has witnessed every pet moving scenario imaginable—from calm cats who sleep through the chaos to anxious dogs who need careful management. Moving stresses pets as much as humans, sometimes more. They thrive on routine, and moving disrupts everything familiar.

This guide shares what we've learned coordinating moves with pet owners, plus specific LA considerations that affect your four-legged family members.

Why Moving Stresses Pets

Understanding pet stress helps you minimize it.

What pets experience during a move:

- Their territory disappears box by box

- Strange people (movers) invade their space

- Familiar furniture gets wrapped and removed

- Smells, sounds, and sights become chaotic

- Their humans act stressed (pets sense this)

- Car rides to unknown destinations

- Completely new environment with unfamiliar smells

Dogs often become anxious, clingy, or hyperactive. Cats typically hide, refuse food, or attempt escape. Both may have accidents, exhibit destructive behavior, or show aggression they don't normally display.

The good news: With proper planning, most pets adjust within days to weeks. Your preparation directly impacts their stress level and adjustment speed.

Before Moving Day

Preparation starts weeks before the truck arrives.

Veterinary preparation (2-3 weeks before):

- Schedule checkup to ensure pet is healthy for the move

- Update vaccinations if due soon

- Get copies of medical records for your files

- Refill prescriptions to avoid running out during transition

- Discuss anxiety medication if your pet is prone to stress

- Ask about calming supplements or pheromone products

Pro Tip: If your pet has severe anxiety, talk to your vet about prescription calming medication for moving day. This isn't sedation—it's anxiety reduction that keeps pets calmer without making them groggy. Many pet owners wish they'd asked sooner.

ID and microchip updates:

- Update microchip registration with new address and current phone

- Ensure collar tags have your current phone number

- Consider temporary tag with both old and new addresses during transition

- Take current photos of your pet in case they escape during the move

Pet-proofing the new home (before move-in if possible):

- Walk through checking for hazards: toxic plants, open vents, gaps in fencing

- Identify nearest emergency vet and save contact information

- Locate any pest control products or hazards left by previous occupants

- Check fence security for dogs—test gates and look for gaps

- Remove or secure any items that could harm curious pets

Packing phase strategies:

Pets notice packing. Boxes appearing, items disappearing, and disrupted rooms create anxiety before moving day arrives.

- Maintain normal routines as much as possible during packing weeks

- Keep pet areas (bed, food bowls, litter box) undisturbed until last possible moment

- Give extra attention and exercise to burn anxious energy

- Consider pheromone diffusers (Feliway for cats, Adaptil for dogs) in rooms where pet spends time

- Pack a dedicated "pet essentials" box that travels with you, not on the truck

Moving Day for Dogs

Dogs need structure and clear boundaries on moving day.

Morning routine:

Keep normal feeding and walk schedule. Exercise your dog thoroughly before movers arrive—a tired dog handles stress better than an energetic one. A long walk or vigorous play session burns off anxious energy.

During the move (ranked by stress level, best to worst):

Best option: Board your dog for the day or have a trusted friend host them completely away from the chaos. Dog returns to calm, settled new home rather than experiencing the stressful transition.

Good option: Confine to one quiet room away from moving activity. Use baby gates or closed doors. Check regularly. Provide water, familiar bedding, and calming music or white noise.

Acceptable option: Keep on leash with a dedicated family member away from movers and activity. Not ideal, but keeps dog safe if other options aren't available.

Avoid: Letting dog roam free during moving. Doors open constantly. Movers carry large items blocking vision. Dogs escape, get injured, or cause accidents.

Real example: Last month, a client's dog escaped through an open door during loading, ran three blocks, and took two hours to recover. The move paused, movers waited on the clock, and everyone's stress level skyrocketed. Total cost of the "free-roaming dog" decision: approximately $350 in additional moving time plus immeasurable stress.

Transportation:

Drive your dog in your personal vehicle, not the moving truck. Use familiar crate or car restraint system. Bring water, treats, and waste bags. Stop for breaks on moves longer than an hour.

Arrival at new home:

Before unloading begins, walk your dog around the yard on leash. Let them sniff and explore boundaries. Check fence gates and security. Establish "home base" room where dog stays during unloading—with water, bed, and familiar items.

First days at new home:

- Walk the neighborhood to establish new territory and scent patterns

- Supervise all yard time until you're confident in fence security

- Maintain exact feeding, walking, and bedtime schedules

- Expect some regression in house training—it's normal and temporary

- Give extra exercise to process stress and new environment stimulation

Moving Day for Cats

Cats require different strategies than dogs. Their territorial nature makes moving particularly stressful.

Morning of moving day:

Do not let your cat outside. Cats sense change and may run, hide, or refuse to return. Keep indoors starting the night before the move.

During packing days:

As packing spreads through your home, confine cat to one undisturbed room—bathroom or bedroom works well. Include litter box, food, water, scratching post, and hiding spots. This becomes their safe zone while their territory transforms around them.

Moving day plan:

Early morning: Place cat in carrier before movers arrive. Cats are easier to catch in calm moments than during chaos. A cat hiding under furniture during an active move creates problems for everyone.

During loading: Keep cat in carrier in quiet room or in your car (weather permitting with AC). Do not leave carrier in moving path or near open doors.

Transportation: Drive cat in your personal vehicle. Never put cats in the moving truck—temperature extremes, noise, and shifting items create dangerous conditions. Cover carrier partially with light blanket to reduce visual stimulation.

Arrival at new home:

Set up "base camp" room before releasing cat from carrier. This single room becomes their entire world for the first 3-7 days.

Base camp includes:

- Litter box (placed away from food)

- Food and water bowls

- Familiar bedding with home scents

- Hiding spots (boxes, cat tent, or space under furniture)

- Scratching surface

- Toys

Close the door and let cat emerge from carrier on their own timeline. Some cats explore immediately; others hide for hours. Both responses are normal.

Gradual introduction (after 3-7 days in base camp):

Once cat seems comfortable in base camp—eating normally, using litter box, showing interest in the door—crack the door open and let them explore at their own pace. Don't force it. Some cats venture out within hours; others take weeks.

Pro Tip: Resist the urge to rush introduction. A cat given time in base camp adjusts faster overall than a cat overwhelmed by the entire house immediately. The slow approach actually speeds up total adjustment time.

LA-Specific Pet Considerations

Los Angeles presents unique factors affecting pet safety and comfort.

Heat awareness:

LA gets hot, especially inland valleys and desert-adjacent areas. Never leave pets in cars—interior temperatures reach dangerous levels within minutes even on mild days.

For summer moves: Schedule early morning start times. Ensure new home has AC operational before bringing pets inside. Have water available at all times. Watch for overheating signs: excessive panting, drooling, lethargy.

Coyote caution:

Coyotes live throughout Los Angeles—urban, suburban, and rural areas alike. They're most active at dawn and dusk.

Protection strategies:

- Never leave small dogs or cats outside unsupervised

- Accompany pets outside at dawn and dusk

- Install coyote rollers on fences if in high-activity areas

- Keep cats indoors (also protects local wildlife)

- Supervise dogs in yards until you understand local coyote patterns

Rattlesnakes:

Present in canyon, hillside, and foothill areas throughout LA. Most active in warm months.

Before letting dogs explore new yards in these areas:

- Walk the yard yourself first, checking corners and under bushes

- Clear debris piles where snakes might shelter

- Consider rattlesnake aversion training for dogs (available through local trainers)

- Know nearest emergency vet with antivenin on hand

Wildlife in general:

LA's wildlife includes raccoons, possums, skunks, and in some areas, mountain lions. Pet food left outside attracts wildlife. Supervise pets, especially at night.

Finding pet-friendly rentals:

If you're renting, competition for pet-friendly units is fierce in LA.

Strategies:

- Start searching early—8+ weeks before move

- Expect $200-$500 pet deposits plus $25-$100 monthly pet rent

- Prepare pet resume with photos, vet references, and training certificates

- Offer larger deposit for pets that might concern landlords

- Consider renter's insurance with liability coverage for pets

First Week in New Home

The first week sets the tone for your pet's adjustment.

For dogs:

- Maintain exact feeding, walking, and bedtime schedules from old home

- Walk the neighborhood daily to establish new routes and territory

- Supervise all yard time until confident in fence security and neighborhood safety

- Introduce one room at a time rather than overwhelming with entire house

- Keep familiar items accessible—same bed, same toys, same bowls

- Expect some sleep disruption—new sounds and smells keep dogs alert

For cats:

- Keep in base camp room for minimum 3-7 days

- Maintain same food, litter brand, and feeding schedule

- Provide multiple hiding spots—boxes work great

- Visit frequently but don't force interaction

- Let cat set the pace for emerging and exploring

- Once exploring house, keep one litter box in base camp as safety option

Watch for stress signs:

Dogs: Loss of appetite, excessive panting, pacing, whining, destructive behavior, house training accidents, aggression changes, excessive clinginess or hiding.

Cats: Not eating for 24+ hours, not using litter box, excessive hiding, excessive vocalization, aggression, over-grooming, attempting to escape.

When to call the vet:

- Not eating for 48+ hours

- Complete withdrawal or severe hiding

- Vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours

- Signs of illness (lethargy, discharge, breathing changes)

- Aggression that seems out of character

- Any injury or suspected injury

Other Pets

Dogs and cats get most attention, but other pets need moving consideration too.

Birds:

- Cover cage during transport to reduce visual stress

- Maintain stable temperature—birds are sensitive to extremes

- Set up cage in quiet area of new home away from high traffic

- Keep routine consistent: same feeding times, same sleep schedule

- Watch for stress signs: feather plucking, appetite changes, unusual vocalizations

Fish:

- Transport in bags with tank water, not in tank

- Keep temperature stable during transport (insulated container helps)

- Set up tank at new location before fish arrive if possible

- Cycle new tank water before adding fish

- Monitor closely for stress signs in first week

Small animals (hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits):

- Transport in secure carrier with familiar bedding

- Maintain temperature stability—small animals are vulnerable to extremes

- Set up habitat immediately upon arrival

- Keep in quiet area while household settles

- Maintain feeding schedule precisely

Reptiles:

- Maintain temperature during transport (heat packs in cold weather, cooling in hot)

- Transport in secure, escape-proof container

- Have heat sources ready at new location before arrival

- Allow adjustment period before handling

- Monitor appetite and behavior closely

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for pets to adjust to a new home?

Dogs typically show significant adjustment within 1-2 weeks, full comfort within a month. Cats vary more widely—some adjust in days, others take 2-3 months. Older pets and pets with anxiety histories take longer. Consistency in routine speeds adjustment for all pets.

Should I sedate my pet for moving day?

Talk to your vet. Full sedation is rarely recommended—it can cause complications and prevents pets from responding to their environment. However, anxiety-reducing medication (not sedation) can help pets with known anxiety issues stay calmer without being impaired. Your vet can recommend appropriate options.

My cat is hiding and won't eat at the new house. Is this normal?

Some hiding is normal and expected. Cats may hide for 24-48 hours after a move. However, not eating for more than 48 hours requires attention. Try warming food slightly to increase aroma. Place food near hiding spot. If no eating after 48 hours, call your vet—cats can develop health issues from not eating.

Can movers work around my pets?

Professional movers are accustomed to pets in homes. However, for everyone's safety and your pet's stress levels, we strongly recommend keeping pets contained or removed during actual moving activity. An escaped pet or a mover tripping over a dog creates problems for everyone.

Should I let my dog meet the movers?

Brief introduction with dog on leash is fine if your dog is friendly and calm. However, during actual moving, confine your dog away from activity. Movers carrying furniture can't watch for underfoot pets, and constant stranger traffic keeps dogs in sustained alertness that's exhausting and stressful.

Key Takeaways

- Update microchip registration and ID tags before moving

- Keep pets away from moving chaos—board them or confine to safe room

- Transport pets in your personal vehicle, never the moving truck

- Set up "base camp" room for cats and let them adjust gradually

- Maintain normal routines as much as possible to reduce stress

- Watch for stress signs and contact vet if concerning symptoms appear

- LA-specific hazards include heat, coyotes, and rattlesnakes—know your new neighborhood

- Most pets adjust within 1-4 weeks with consistent care and patience

Moving with pets requires extra planning, but the effort ensures your entire family—including the furry members—transitions safely to your new LA home.

Green Moving — Licensed (CAL-T 201327) & Insured. 1% of every move supports California environmental causes. Call (213) 829-4795 for your free quote.

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