A guest post from the team at Starwood Pet Travel

When you're moving, your own boxes get labeled, inventoried, and argued over. Your dog's stuff usually gets thrown in a tote bag the night before. That's a mistake, and it's one we see all the time.

Our team has relocated thousands of pets across town, across the country, and around the world. The smoothest moves almost always have one thing in common: the dog's packing was planned as carefully as the humans'. A missing vaccine record can stall a border crossing. A forgotten bag of their usual food can mean an upset stomach on day one in a new home.

So here's the checklist we'd hand a friend. It's split into five "bags," each with its own job, so nothing important ends up buried in a moving truck.

Bag 1: The paperwork folder

This is the most important bag, and it isn't really a bag. It's a waterproof folder that stays with you, not in the moving truck. Make a digital copy of everything too, saved to your phone and emailed to yourself.

• Vaccination records, especially rabies, with dates and the vet's signature
• Microchip number and the registry it's enrolled with (update it to your new address before you leave)
• Health certificate if you're flying or crossing a border; timing windows are strict, often 10 days or less before travel
• Import permits or country forms for international moves
• Recent medical history, including any conditions, allergies, and current prescriptions
• Your current vet's contact info and, ideally, a new vet lined up at your destination
• Two recent photos of your dog, in case you're ever separated

International moves are where paperwork gets complicated fast. Some countries require blood tests months in advance, and a single date out of order can mean quarantine. If you're heading abroad, check the rules for your destination early. Starwood keeps up-to-date pet travel requirements by country that are a good place to start.

Bag 2: The travel-day bag

Think of this as your dog's carry-on. It holds everything needed from the moment you leave the old house until you're settled at the new one, plus a day of buffer for delays.

• Food for two to three days, in their usual brand, portioned into zip bags
• Collapsible water and food bowls
• Bottled water from home; a sudden water change can upset some stomachs
• Leash, collar, and ID tag with your cell number (not your old landline)
• Poop bags and paper towels
• Medications in their original labeled containers
• A towel or two for muddy paws, spills, or an anxious drool session
• High-value treats for rewarding calm behavior at rest stops and check-ins
• Enzyme cleaner and wipes, because accidents happen to the best of dogs

One tip from our team: don't change your dog's food in the weeks before a move. New food plus new surroundings is a recipe for a rough first week. Keep everything they eat boringly familiar.

Bag 3: The crate

Whether your dog is riding in the back seat or flying in an airline's cargo hold, the crate is their home in transit. Get it early, at least a few weeks before the move, so it feels familiar rather than scary.

Getting the size right. Your dog should be able to stand up without their head touching the top, turn around comfortably, and lie down in a natural position. For air travel, airlines follow IATA crate standards, which also cover ventilation, hardware, and construction. A crate that's fine for the car may not pass at the airport.

What goes inside:

• An absorbent pad or thin bedding
• Water and food dishes attached to the door, refillable from outside
• A worn T-shirt or blanket that smells like you
• A "Live Animal" label, arrows showing which way is up, and your contact details on the outside (for flights)

What stays out:

• Leashes and collars with dangling tags, which can snag
• Chew toys that could become a choking hazard
• Thick, fluffy bedding that can overheat a dog or trap moisture

Practice makes this part easy. Feed meals in the crate, toss treats inside, and work up to short car rides. A dog who naps in their crate at home will handle travel day far better.

Bag 4: The comfort kit

Dogs read the world through their noses and their routines. A move scrambles both, so this bag is about bringing a little of "home" along.

• Their bed or blanket, unwashed. It's tempting to clean it before the move. Don't. That familiar smell is the point.
• One or two favorite toys for the car or the new house (not the crate on a flight)
• A long-lasting chew for the first evening, when everything is strange
• Their routine, written down. Feeding times, walk times, bedtime. If a friend, sitter, or pet transporter is handling any leg of the trip, this note is gold.

Your dog will also take cues from you. Packing days are loud and chaotic, so if you can, keep their walks and meals on schedule, or let them spend the most hectic day with a friend or at daycare.

Bag 5: The first-48-hours box

Label one box "DOG – OPEN FIRST" and keep it in your car, not the moving truck. When you arrive, you'll want to set up a calm, dog-ready room before the furniture chaos begins.

• A week's worth of food, plus a can opener or scoop if needed
• Baby gate or exercise pen to keep them safely contained while doors are open
• Spare leash and an extra ID tag with your new address
• Cleaning supplies for their bowls and any accidents
• Their bed, a toy, and a familiar blanket to set up in one quiet corner

Before you let your dog explore, walk the yard and check fences, gates, and any gaps. New homes come with new escape routes, and lost dogs are most common in the first few days after a move. Keep them on a leash outside until you're confident the space is secure.

What to leave out

A few things don't belong in any of these bags:

• Sedatives, unless your vet specifically prescribes them for this trip. Most airlines won't accept sedated pets, because sedation can affect breathing and balance at altitude. If your dog is anxious, talk to your vet about safer options well ahead of time.
• Brand-new gear. A new harness, collar, or crate on moving day adds stress. Break everything in first.
• A full meal right before departure. A light meal a few hours ahead is usually easier on travel tummies. Ask your vet what's right for your dog.

When to call in a pro

A local move across town? You've got this. But some moves have enough moving parts that it's worth getting help:

• You're moving internationally, especially to a country with quarantine or rabies titer rules
• Your dog needs to fly in cargo, or is a large or snub-nosed breed with airline restrictions
• Your own travel dates don't line up with when your dog can fly
• You're juggling a job relocation, kids, and a house sale at the same time

Pet relocation specialists handle the paperwork, the airline booking, the IATA-compliant crate, and the timing so your dog arrives safely and legally. If that sounds like your situation, you can get a free pet relocation quote from Starwood Pet Travel in about a minute.

The quick-scan checklist

Screenshot this one for moving week.

☐ Vaccine records, microchip info, and health certificate in a waterproof folder

☐ Digital copies of every document on your phone

☐ Microchip registry updated with your new address

☐ New vet identified at your destination

☐ Two to three days of usual food and water for travel day

☐ Medications in original containers

☐ Leash, collar, and ID tag with your cell number

☐ Correctly sized crate, introduced weeks in advance

☐ Unwashed bed or blanket and a favorite toy

☐ Written routine for anyone helping with the trip

☐ "DOG – OPEN FIRST" box in your car

☐ Yard and fences checked before your dog explores

About the author

Starwood Pet Travel is an IATA-certified pet relocation company that has helped families move their dogs and cats around the world for decades. Their team handles everything from health certificates and import permits to flights and door-to-door delivery, so pets arrive safely and families can focus on settling in.