A move is an event that alters the routine of any home, and dogs — animals especially sensitive to changes — are the first to notice it. If you have a dog and are going to change homes, this step-by-step guide will help you plan the move to reduce their stress to a minimum and make the adaptation to the new home as quick as possible.
Before the move: prepare your dog in advance
Dogs perfectly read their owners' emotions and changes in their environment. Starting to prepare the animal with 2-3 weeks in advance makes the difference between a traumatic move and a peaceful transition.
Visit to the veterinarian
Take the opportunity to do a general check-up, update the health certificate and the chip (especially if the move involves a change of region or, as in the case of the Canary Islands, traveling by ship). The veterinarian can also prescribe a natural calming agent or Adaptil-type pheromones for very nervous dogs.
Keep their routine intact
Even though you're busy with boxes and paperwork, try to keep the walks at the same times, meals on the same schedule and the same games. Dogs are guided by routines and breaking them multiplies their anxiety.
Don't hide the boxes from them
Start placing empty boxes around the house several days before so they get used to their smell and stop being a strange element. If your dog is very curious, let them explore them peacefully.
Moving day: protect your dog
Loading day is the most critical moment. There's noise, unfamiliar people, doors continuously opening and all the furniture disappearing. It's very easy for a frightened dog to escape or suffer an accidental injury.
Take them to another house or dog boarding facility
The most recommended option is for your dog to spend the day with a trusted family member, friend or at a dog boarding facility. This way you avoid stress and possible incidents. Pick them up when everything is loaded and empty.
If they have to stay at home
Reserve a closed room with their bed, favorite toy, fresh water and a large sign on the door warning the moving team. Visit them every 30-60 minutes to calm them down. Don't open windows and check that the door closes properly before each operation.
Moving with dogs to the Canary Islands: regulations and ship
If your move is from the mainland to the Canary Islands, the dog will need to travel by ship (most low-cost airlines don't accept dogs in the hold and cabin prices are very high for large breeds).
We regularly work with the shipping companies Naviera Armas–Trasmediterránea and Fred. Olsen, which offer pet-friendly cabins or climate-controlled cages in the animal area. We coordinate the move with the date of the dog's ship so it arrives at the destination at the same time as their belongings and reduces the adaptation period.
Mandatory documentation
- Health certificate up to date (mandatory rabies, valid 1-3 years depending on vaccine)
- Microchip and updated REIAC certificate
- Pet passport if you come from outside Spain (United Kingdom, etc.)
- For potentially dangerous breeds (PPP): license and current RC insurance from the new municipality in the Canary Islands
The first days in the new home
Once at the destination, dedicate the first hours exclusively to your dog. Place their bed, food bowl and toys before you start unpacking boxes, so they'll have a "safe corner" from minute one. Avoid washing their blankets and toys — the smell helps them recognize their territory.
Short walks in a familiar area
For the first 3-4 days, short walks on the same streets, always on a leash (even if they're a dog trained off-leash). They need to memorize the references of the new neighborhood before exploring freely.
Updated identification
Change the tag with your phone number and new address. Update the registration in the REIAC or in the dog census of the new municipality (in the Canary Islands many municipalities require it in the first 30 days).
If you need temporary storage
When the key handover at the destination doesn't coincide with the container arrival date, hiring temporary storage in Tenerife is the most convenient solution. Your dog moves directly to temporary accommodation and their belongings are kept safe until you hand over the new house.
Do you need a quote for your move with a pet?
At Horizont Atlantic we have 15 years coordinating moves with animals between the mainland and the Canary Islands. We send you a personalized quote in 24-48 hours, with no obligation, with your move and the estimated cost of your dog's transport included.
Frequently asked questions about moving with dogs
How to reduce my dog's stress on moving day?
The dog should NOT be at home during loading and unloading: have them spend the day at a dog boarding facility, at a trusted family member's house or on a long walk with someone they know. When they come home, they should find a quiet space with their blanket, favorite toy, water and food in their usual bowls (these items should NOT be washed beforehand — the familiar smell is key).
Do I need any paperwork to move my dog to the Canary Islands?
Yes: mandatory identification microchip (common throughout Spain), health certificate up to date with rabies vaccination, recent veterinary health certificate (some transport companies request it). If you fly: IATA-approved cage, transport operator declaration. For potentially dangerous breeds: PPP license updated to the new address.
Is it better to take the dog by plane or ship?
For moves between the Canary Islands and mainland, it depends on the dog and the duration. Plane: 1.5-2h, small dogs in cabin or medium/large dogs in pressurized hold. Cost: 100-300 € depending on weight. Ship: 30-40h, dog in cage on deck or in pet-friendly cabin (more expensive). The ship is usually less stressful if the dog tolerates long journeys well and you have your own cabin.
How to facilitate the dog's adaptation to the new house?
First days: maintain identical routines (walk times, meals, sleep), don't leave them alone more than usual. Walk around the new neighborhood several times a day so they get to know the smells and other dogs. If your dog is anxious, consider Adaptil (calming pheromone). Average adaptation period: 2-4 weeks, with mild initial behavioral regressions (crying, unusual barking, new territorial marking).
What if my dog is very old or has health problems?
Consult your veterinarian before the move. For very old dogs (10+ years in large breeds, 14+ in small breeds) or with heart disease, avoid flying (stress from pressurized hold). Better to transport by car or ship with a cabin, mild sedation under veterinary prescription if necessary. Bring your regular medication and veterinary report for your new veterinarian at the destination.
For transfers to the archipelago —Tenerife, Gran Canaria and the other islands— there are specific procedures. We explain them and process them in pet transport to the Canary Islands.
