Moving is stressful for everyone—including your pets!
Whether you’re relocating with a playful pup, a finicky feline, or even a tarantula, ensuring a smooth transition for your furry, feathered, or scaly companions is crucial. We sat down with longtime exotic pet owner Serendipity who shares their best advice on moving with snakes, rabbits and more! As professional organizers who have helped many clients move with pets, we’re sharing our best tips for making the whole process as seamless as possible.
General Moving Tips for Pets
1. Keep Pets Away from the Chaos
Moving day can be overwhelming for pets with all the noise, open doors, and strangers carrying boxes. The best approach? Don’t have your pets onsite. Consider boarding them at a familiar daycare or leaving them with a trusted friend or family member.
2. Introduce the New Home Early
If your pet will be attending a new daycare, take them there at least a month in advance so they can get used to the environment. For dogs, placing their bed near an air vent in the new home can help circulate familiar smells before they even arrive.
3. Pack a Moving Day Kit
Make sure you have a designated bag with all of your pet’s essentials, including food, water, toys, leashes, litter, and any medication they might need. This will keep you from scrambling to find their necessities in the midst of unpacking.
4. Designate a Quiet Room
If you must have your pet at home on moving day, set aside a quiet, secure room where they can stay undisturbed while people move in and out. Afix a sign to the door so everyone onsite knows the precious pet that is inside. Keep their bed, favorite blanket, and water bowl in there to provide comfort.
5. Moving with Multiple Cats?
Slow Introductions are Key!
If you’re moving with a cat into a home that already has another feline, you can’t just put them together and expect harmony. Instead:
- Keep them separated in different rooms at first.
- Scent swap: Rub a towel on one cat and place it in the other cat’s space and vice versa.
- Supervised sniffing: Let them sniff each other under the door or through a screen before introducing them face-to-face. Sometimes the introductory period can take several days. Be patient and soon your new family can (hopefully) all live in harmony.
Now, let’s dive into some expert advice for exotic pets!
Moving with Exotic Pets: Advice from Serendipity
Snakes: Warmth & Security are Key
- Each snake should be transported in its own enclosure.
- Serendipity uses big plastic totes with holes drilled into the top, as plastic retains humidity a lot better than glass (and it’s cheaper).
- Completely clean out the enclosure first—remove old bedding, water bowls, and accessories.
- Place the snake in a soft pillowcase on top of a towel-wrapped heating pad. Do NOT place the snake directly on the heating pad to prevent burns.
- Snakes feel safest when balled up and still, so they can tolerate a few hours in this setup without fear of them wriggling away.
- For short moves, keep the snake on the heating pad up until the second you leave, then plug the heating pad in upon arrival in the new home.
- For long moves, keep the heating pad running in the car, as heat is vital to any cold blooded animals survival.
- Once at the new home, set up their enclosure first and allow time for them to adjust to new smells before feeding—some snakes may not eat for a few hours or days after moving.
Jumping Spiders & Tarantulas: Delicate Handling Required
- Jumping spiders are meant to live in the wild, so Serendipity removed any objects that could fall and harm them and had someone hold their enclosure during transport to minimize shaking.
- Tarantulas are extremely delicate and require extra care:
- Use a Tupperware container lined with paper towels with a burrow in the center of it.
- Ensure the container has air holes and is snug—any jostling could injure them.
- Coax the tarantula in using a soft paintbrush to gently nudge it.
- Keep the spider on your lap or in a place where it is least likely to move around during transport.
- Upon arrival, place the closed Tupperware in their enclosure, allowing them to exit at their own pace. If they don’t come out, remove the paper towels from the tupperware and leave in their enclosure until they leave the temporary stay.
- Some owners even sedate their tarantulas if they have cross country moves and have to ship their spider. If you must ship your pet, research how professional arachnid breeders do it and follow their protocols.
Rabbits: Similar to Cats but with Special Dietary Needs
- Moving with a rabbit is much like moving with a cat, but their digestion must stay active at all times. Always have hay or food available during the move.
- Make sure their carrier has a cushion or towel for comfort.
- If taking a long trip, stop periodically to offer water, just as you would for a cat or dog.
- If your rabbit uses a water bottle, attach it to the carrier but only fill it 1/4 full to prevent spills.
- First priority upon arrival? Set up a temporary enclosed area so the rabbit can move around.
- Immediately place their litter bin/potty corner in the enclosure. Rabbits are clean animals and dislike sitting in their own mess.
Final Thoughts
Moving with pets—whether they have fur, scales, or eight legs—requires careful planning and patience. By keeping their stress levels low, ensuring safe transport, and gradually introducing them to their new home, you can help your pets settle in smoothly.
Have any moving day pet horror stories or success tips? Share them in the comments below!
