Pet Transport Checklist: How to Prepare Your Dog or Cat for a Long Trip

After moving hundreds of pets across the country, we've seen what preparation looks like when it works — and what gets missed when families are rushed. This checklist is the version we wish every owner had before their pet's first long trip.

Save it. Print it. Share it with your vet.

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4 Weeks Before Transport

Schedule a veterinary check-up

• Confirm your pet is healthy enough for travel
• Discuss travel anxiety — ask about behavioral options and whether medication is appropriate
• Update any vaccinations that may be required by the destination state
• Ask for a health certificate (most expire within 10 days, so don't get it too early)

Start crate training if needed

• Introduce the crate with the door open
• Feed meals inside the crate
• Work up to short periods with the door closed
• By transport day, the crate should feel like a safe den, not a trap

Gather paperwork

• Vaccination records
• Health certificate (time this to within 10 days of travel)
• Microchip documentation
• Vet contact information for emergencies en route

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2 Weeks Before Transport

Prepare the travel crate

• Must be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably
• Hard-sided crates offer more protection; soft-sided crates are only appropriate for calm, crate-comfortable animals
• Label the crate clearly: pet name, your name, phone number, destination address, vet contact
• Attach a small container of food to the outside with feeding instructions

Stock up on supplies for travel

• Enough regular food for the full trip plus two extra days
• Bottled water (or freeze-filled water bottles to prevent spills in transit)
• Regular medications with extra supply
• Familiar blanket or piece of worn clothing
• Favorite toy

Take several practice drives

• 20–30 minute rides familiarize your pet with vehicle travel
• Go somewhere neutral — not just the vet
• Reward calm behavior during and after

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1 Week Before Transport

Confirm all details with your transport provider

• Pickup time and exact address
• Driver's name and direct phone number
• Protocol for updates and check-ins during the trip
• What to do in a medical emergency on the road
• Delivery window at the destination

Begin adjusting feeding schedule if needed

• Light meal or half portion the evening before a long transport day
• Reduces motion sickness risk without leaving your pet hungry
• Do not skip water — hydration matters more than reducing food

Freeze a Kong or prepare chews

• A frozen Kong or long-lasting chew gives your pet something calming to focus on at the start of the trip
• Particularly effective for dogs who are anxious in new situations

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The Night Before

• Give a normal evening meal — don't overfeed
• Final walk or play session to tire them out
• Put their unwashed bedding and a piece of your clothing in the crate
• Double-check the crate latch and door hardware
• Confirm pickup time with your driver

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Transport Day Morning

For dogs:

• Walk before pickup — bathroom break and light exercise
• Feed a light meal 2–3 hours before, not right before departure
• Fresh water available up until pickup
• Calm, matter-of-fact goodbye — no prolonged emotional send-offs (they read your anxiety)

For cats:

• Confine to one room the night before to make morning easier
• Feed a small meal 2–3 hours before pickup
• Use Feliway spray inside the carrier if you have it (spray 30 minutes before loading so the alcohol scent dissipates)
• Keep the carrier covered with a light blanket during transport

What to give your driver:

• Feeding schedule and portion sizes
• Any medications with exact dosing instructions
• Behavioral notes (does your dog lunge at other dogs? Does your cat hide when stressed?)
• Your primary phone number and a backup contact
• Vet contact for emergencies

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During Transport (What to Expect)

What a good transport provider does:

• Sends a photo within the first hour confirming your pet is settled
• Checks in at every rest stop (every 3–4 hours minimum)
• Provides water at each break
• Never leaves your pet unattended in the vehicle
• Responds to your texts within a reasonable window

Signs your pet is handling the trip well:

• Sleeping or resting calmly in the crate
• Accepts water at rest stops
• Alert but not frantic when the driver checks on them

Signs to be aware of (notify your vet if present at pickup):

• Excessive panting not related to heat
• Refusal to drink water over a full day of travel
• Vomiting that continues more than once
• Disorientation or unsteadiness

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Arrival: The First 48 Hours

For dogs:

• Bathroom break before anything else
• Brief leash walk around the new space
• Set up their crate, bed, food, and water in one room before letting them explore
• Keep the first 24 hours low-stimulation — no guests, no big family events
• Maintain your normal walk and feeding schedule

For cats:

• Confine to one room for the first 2–5 days (bathroom + familiar items)
• Let them come out of the carrier on their own time — don't force it
• Litter box should be the first thing set up
• Keep outdoor cats inside for a minimum of three weeks

For both:

• Expect some appetite reduction for 24–48 hours — this is normal
• Watch for loose stools in the days following (common after transit stress)
• Give them time and space before expecting normal behavior
• Call your vet if anything seems off after 72 hours

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What to Keep Handy Post-Transport

• Your vet's number plus an emergency vet near the new home (find one before you move)
• Your pet's full medical records in a portable format
• A few days of extra food in case the move ran longer than expected

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Preparation is the single biggest factor in how smoothly a long-distance move goes for your pet. A calm, crate-comfortable animal with a clear feeding schedule and a well-briefed driver will have a very different experience than one who's never been in a crate and whose owner couldn't reach the driver for six hours.

If you're planning a long-distance move and want to talk through the logistics, we're easy to reach. Ask us anything — we're happy to help even if you don't end up booking with us.