Moving House with Pets: Car Safety & Comfort Tips
Moving is stressful enough for people — for pets, it can be genuinely frightening. With the right setup, you can make the car journey safe and as calm as possible for your animals, while still fitting all your moving gear.
8 min read
Legal Requirements for Pet Transport in Australia
In Australia, dogs must be restrained if travelling in the cab of a ute or on a flatbed. For passenger vehicles, the requirement varies by state, but police can issue infringement notices if an unrestrained animal causes a distraction or is involved in an accident. The RSPCA recommends restraining all pets during vehicle travel as best practice.
Key legal requirements: dogs must not be in the driver's lap, animals must not obstruct the driver's view, and animals on ute trays must be tethered on leads short enough to prevent them falling from the vehicle.
Restraint Options by Pet Type
Dogs (small — under 10kg)
Crash-tested pet carrier secured with a seatbelt, or a dog-specific harness connected to the rear seatbelt. Carriers should be just large enough for the dog to stand, turn around, and lie down — too much space means more movement in a collision.
Dogs (medium to large)
Boot dog guard or cargo barrier (for SUVs and wagons), or a crash-tested large pet carrier. Boot guards contain the dog to the boot area without confining them in a small crate — suitable for calmer dogs on familiar journeys.
Cats
A hard or soft-sided carrier is essential — cats cannot be safely restrained by harness in a moving vehicle. The carrier should be secured on the rear seat with a seatbelt threaded through the handle, or wedged securely in the boot with surrounding luggage.
Birds / small animals
Keep in their existing cage if it fits, or transfer to a travel cage. Cover the cage to reduce visual stimulation and stress. Secure with non-slip matting and surrounding soft items in the boot.
Reducing Pet Stress on Moving Day
Moving day is chaotic, and animals pick up on human stress. Strategies that help:
- Keep routines as normal as possible: Feed at the usual time, walk the dog at the usual time, maintain calm voices.
- Load the pet last: Don't put the dog or cat in the car while you're still loading furniture and running back and forth — the wait will be stressful. Load the pet when you're ready to leave.
- Familiar smells: Put a worn item of your clothing in the pet carrier. For dogs, their usual bed or blanket. Familiar scents dramatically reduce anxiety.
- Pheromone sprays: Adaptil (dogs) and Feliway (cats) are synthetic calming pheromones available from vets and pet stores. Spray the carrier 30 minutes before the pet gets in.
- For longer moves (over 2 hours): Consult your vet about mild sedation options for anxious animals. This is especially relevant for cats, who typically travel less well than dogs.
Planning Your Car Layout with Pets
A pet in the car changes how you should pack everything else. Key considerations:
- Decide early whether the pet travels in the boot or the rear seat — this determines where you can pack other items
- If the dog is in the boot with a dog guard, the entire boot is the dog's space — all cargo goes in the cabin (rear seats) or a separate vehicle
- Keep water and a collapsible bowl accessible for rest stops
- Plan rest stops every 2 hours for dogs — 3–4 hours is too long without a toilet break and a stretch
- Never leave pets in a parked car in warm weather — even with a window cracked, temperatures rise dangerously fast
Plan Your Move Cargo Around Your Pet
Use stowey to plan your car layout before moving day — accounting for pet space, crates, and all your belongings.
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