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.

In short: start about four weeks out with a vet check-up and crate training, prepare the crate and supplies two weeks out, and confirm every detail with your transport provider the week before. On travel day, feed a light meal a few hours ahead, hand the driver clear notes, and keep the first 48 hours at the destination calm and low-stimulation.

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

Here's the full timeline at a glance before the detailed checklist:

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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

On the road, it helps to know what a settled pet looks like versus what's worth flagging:

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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.