How to Help Pets Adjust to a New Home

Moving to a new home is stressful enough for humans, but for pets—who rely heavily on routine, territory, and familiar smells—it can be downright confusing. One day everything smells like them, and the next, it doesn’t. Their favorite corner? Gone. Their usual windowsill view? Replaced. Even if your new home is bigger and better, your pet doesn’t know that. They just know everything is different.

Whether you’re bringing a newly adopted animal into your home or relocating with a longtime companion, helping them transition smoothly is key to reducing anxiety and setting the stage for long-term comfort and security.

Here’s how to ease the adjustment period so your pet can start to feel at home—wherever home happens to be.

Before the Move: Prep With Familiarity in Mind

Preparation makes all the difference. Pets are sensitive to change and can pick up on your stress, boxes, and disrupted routines well before the actual move.

Stick to your usual schedule as much as possible: meal times, walks, and play sessions should stay consistent
Introduce moving supplies gradually: let pets sniff the boxes and suitcases so they don’t associate them with immediate upheaval
Create a “safe zone” amid the packing chaos where their bed, toys, and food remain undisturbed
Update ID tags and microchip information with your new address ahead of time, just in case your pet slips out during the move

For newly adopted pets, try to get as much background information as possible so you can anticipate their needs and comfort preferences in their new environment.

During the Move: Prioritize Calm and Containment

Moving day can be loud, hectic, and disorienting—prime conditions for pets to become anxious or even bolt.

Secure your pet in a quiet, closed-off room or leave them with a trusted friend or pet sitter until you’re ready to transport them
Use a familiar crate or carrier lined with a well-loved blanket or item that smells like home
Minimize stimulation: avoid loud music, shouting, or movers going in and out of rooms where pets are waiting
Keep them well-exercised and fed, but avoid feeding too close to travel time to prevent nausea

Plan ahead so their arrival at the new home is smooth, not rushed.

First Day in the New Home: Keep Things Small and Predictable

The goal isn’t to overwhelm them with the entire house—it’s to create a feeling of safety and control.

Start with one room as their transition zone: include their bed, toys, food, water, and litter box (if applicable)
Let them explore gradually, at their own pace—don’t force introductions to every room all at once
Offer treats, praise, and calm interaction to build positive associations with the new space
Stick to familiar routines: feed them at the usual time, go on the same-length walks, and keep bedtime consistent

Keep visitors to a minimum for the first few days, and avoid introducing other pets too quickly.

Cats Need Special Consideration

Cats, in particular, are territorial and often take longer to settle into new environments. You can help your feline friend adjust by:

Confine them to one room at first with everything they need
Use Feliway diffusers or calming sprays to mimic comforting feline pheromones
Gradually allow access to other rooms, especially once they start marking territory (rubbing cheeks, exploring)
Keep litter boxes in quiet, accessible spots and avoid moving them too often

Let your cat come out of hiding on their own schedule. Some adjust in a day, others in weeks.

Dogs Often Benefit from Structure

Dogs, especially those that struggle with anxiety or have been through multiple homes, rely heavily on structure to feel safe.

Reinforce basic training cues in the new space (sit, stay, down) to give them a sense of familiarity
Take short leash walks around the neighborhood to introduce new scents and sights slowly
Avoid leaving them alone for long periods in the early days—they may feel abandoned in a strange place
Provide chew toys and puzzles to help them decompress and self-soothe

A confident, calm tone from you goes a long way toward helping your dog feel safe.

Watch for Adjustment Challenges

It’s normal for pets to behave a little differently during a move, but keep an eye out for:

Loss of appetite
Accidents in the house
Excessive hiding or vocalizing
Aggression or clinginess
Destructive behavior

If symptoms persist beyond a few weeks, it may be time to consult your vet or a behavior specialist to rule out anxiety or underlying medical issues.

Give It Time—And Trust

Every pet is different. Some settle in quickly, sniff the perimeter, and flop down like they’ve always lived there. Others need days—or weeks—to feel secure. The key is patience, reassurance, and plenty of love.

A new home is more than fresh paint and a different floor plan. For your pet, it’s a whole new world. But with your guidance and presence, they’ll learn that home isn’t just where the food bowls live—it’s where you are. And that’s a feeling no address change can take away.