Long-Distance Moving with Pets: Cross-Country Tips

Preparing Your Pets for a Long-Distance Move

Moving is stressful enough for humans—for pets, it can be disorienting and anxiety-inducing. Start preparing your pet 4–6 weeks before your long-distance move. Schedule a vet visit to ensure vaccinations are up to date, obtain a health certificate (required for air travel and some cross-border moves), and discuss anti-anxiety medication if your pet is prone to travel stress.

Gradually introduce your pet to their travel carrier or crate in the weeks before the move. Leave it open in a familiar room with treats and a favourite blanket inside. For dogs, take short car rides that build up to longer drives. Cats should be secured in a well-ventilated carrier at all times during vehicle travel—never let a cat roam freely in a moving car.

Traveling with Pets by Car

For cross-country drives of 3,000+ km (Montreal to Calgary or Vancouver, for example), plan for 4–5 days on the road with your pet. Stop every 2–3 hours for bathroom breaks, water, and short walks. Research pet-friendly hotels along your route—chains like Best Western, La Quinta, and many Holiday Inn locations accept pets, though fees of $25–$50/night are common.

Pack a pet travel kit: food and water bowls, enough food for the trip plus a few extra days, medications, waste bags, favourite toys, and a first-aid kit. Keep your pet's routine as normal as possible—same feeding times, same commands. Never leave a pet alone in a parked car, especially during summer when interior temperatures can become lethal within minutes.

Air Travel Options for Pets

If you're flying to your destination while your household goods travel by truck, you have options for your pet. Small dogs and cats (under 8–10 kg including carrier) can fly in the cabin on most Canadian airlines for $50–$120 one-way. Larger pets must travel as checked baggage or cargo, costing $200–$500 depending on the airline and distance.

Specialized pet transport services offer door-to-door ground shipping for pets that don't tolerate flying. These services typically cost $500–$1,500 for cross-country routes and include climate-controlled vehicles, regular stops, and photo updates. This can be a good option for brachycephalic breeds (pugs, bulldogs) that some airlines refuse to transport due to breathing risks.

Provincial Pet Regulations & Cross-Border Rules

Within Canada, there are no customs requirements for moving pets between provinces, but municipal bylaws vary. Some cities limit the number of pets per household or require specific breeds to be muzzled in public. Research your destination city's bylaws before you arrive.

For cross-border moves to the US, dogs must have a valid rabies vaccination certificate. Cats don't require specific documentation for US entry but should still have current vaccinations. Certain exotic pets (birds, reptiles, small mammals) may require CITES permits or USDA/APHIS endorsement. If you're moving to a US state with breed-specific legislation, verify your dog breed is permitted. Up & Out can connect you with pet transport specialists as part of your long-distance moving plan.