Driving with pets

How to keep your pet safe in the car

Travelling in a car can be challenging for pets, so it’s important to make sure they’re as comfortable and safe as possible on your journey.

You’ll also want to make sure that you’re staying on the right side of the law to avoid accidents.

The Highway Code says that when animals are in a vehicle, they need to be restrained so they can’t distract you while you’re driving or hurt themselves if you stop quickly.

It lists seat-belt harnesses, pet carriers, dog cages or dog guards as possible ways to restrain animals in cars.

Laws on driving with dogs in the car

If you’re pulled over or you cause an accident while your pet is loose in the car, you could be charged with careless or even dangerous driving.

Depending on the seriousness of the incident, you could face a fine, points on your licence, and a driving ban. If your driving causes a death, you could even face jail time.

Plus, if your pet isn’t restrained and causes an accident, you may find that your insurance provider refuses to pay out.

Pet owner’s equipment checklist

There are a few items you’ll need to make sure your pet has a safe and comfortable car journey with you including:

• Restraints. When getting ready for a trip with your pet, make sure they’re familiar with the harnesses, belts, carriers and other pieces of equipment you’re going to be using before you go.

• Pet travelling kit. If you’re going on a longer journey, you might want to think about putting together a travel kit for your pet. Basic items include food, treats, water bowls, clothing, medication, toys, waste disposal bags and blankets.

• A collar and lead or harness. Keep your pet on a lead outside of the car to make sure they don’t run away.

• Seat covers. You can choose between covers that are soft and cushioned for your pet or more industrial designs, which may be waterproof if your furry friend has a toilet mishap.

• Anti-anxiety remedies. If your pet gets anxious when they travel, there are products you could try to help lower their stress levels while they’re in the car. These include compression coats, pheromone collars and supplements. Speak to your vet if you need advice on what to use.

When to avoid travelling with pets

Consider whether bringing your pet may do more harm than good if:

• Your pet is sick

• Your pet is a newborn

• Your pet gave birth 48 hours or less before the trip

• Your pet is heavily pregnant.

If you notice that your pet is unwell, it’s best to avoid travelling for anything other than an absolute necessity. If you have no alternative but to travel with a sick pet, follow these tips:

• Take all medication with you and make sure it’s up to date

• Take a copy of your pet’s medical records with you

• Regularly monitor how comfortable they seem

• Have a readily accessible list of emergency numbers ready to call if they take a turn

• Keep a pet first aid kit to hand.

Managing travel sickness in dogs

Just like humans, dogs can become sick as a result of the motion of travelling. According to the PDSA, some of the most common symptoms of travel sickness are:

• Drooling

• Excessive swallowing

• Excessive lip licking

• Retching

• Panting.

To help prevent motion sickness:

• Feed your pet two to three hours before travelling

• Tire your pet out with a walk before your journey

• Make sure your pet is not overheated

• Take your pet on shorter trips to get them comfortable with travelling

• Make sure your pet has something comfortable and stable to sit on while travelling

• Get a car harness or adapted seatbelt that allows your pet to face forward so they can better anticipate twists and turns

• Take routine breaks throughout your journey.

If your dog or other pet has severe motion sickness but you need to make a journey, your vet may be able to prescribe anti-sickness medicines. Never try to give your pet human motion sickness medicines as they won’t work and could have severe side effects.

Travel advice for different kinds of pets

Different species of pets have different needs when travelling. What works for a dog might not be best suited for a rabbit. Let’s take a look at some of the best tips for different animals:

Dogs

A dog will need to be restrained, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have access to some kind of movement. It should be possible for them to sit up to full height if they want to, as well as being able to lie down to get comfy.

If you transport your dog in a crate, make sure your pet can see you. This could reduce anxiety. Putting treats in the crate could also create a positive association for future journeys.

Cats

True to their stereotype, cats can be quite fussy when it comes to being driven. Carefully place your cat in a robust carrier, secured tightly to a seat. Your cat should have enough space to comfortably stand up, turn around and lie down. Make sure to include familiar items, with scents they can recognise as ‘safe’. Also think about giving them toys or occasional treats to keep them distracted.

On longer journeys, take regular breaks to allow your cat to move around the car (only while parked) and use the litter tray. Remember to make sure the car is secure, with all doors and windows shut, before you let them out of their carrier.

Rabbits

Easily spooked, rabbits need to be given time to understand and adjust to new surroundings. Make sure to fill their carrier with items they love (treats, food, toys and bedding that smells like home) and allow them to enter it at their own pace. Keep it dark inside, either by choosing a carrier with plastic sides or placing a blanket over the top of wire carriers.

Remember to always keep bonded pairs of rabbits together – don’t transport them alone.

Reptiles

Reptiles need to be kept warm when they travel. Think about using heat packs as part of their container but be sure to monitor the temperature to avoid them overheating.

Check what they’re travelling in is well-ventilated and lined with a soft, absorbent paper or towel. If your reptile likes a moist environment, you can line the base with moist paper towels. Though it might be tempting to include rocks and sticks to make them at home, these items could move during transit and cause injury to your cold-blooded friend.

Travelling with pets in the car in hot weather

If you’re planning a long journey on a hot day, it’s best not to bring pets with you. If it’s a short journey, such as a trip to the vet, be sure to do what you can to keep them comfortable.

While it might feel relatively mild out, research shows that the temperature in a car can reach as high as 47°C internally when the external conditions are just 22°C. This can cause heatstroke for most pets, which could be fatal.

Steps to take in hotter conditions include:

• Air conditioning. Keep the car as cool as possible. Air conditioning helps prevent the vehicle from becoming humid and stuffy. If you’d prefer, you could also open the windows a small amount, as long as its not enough for your pet to stick their head out.

• Pet sunscreen. Largely used for dogs, sunscreen is an important and often overlooked tool to fight against heatstroke and dehydration. It’s best to find products that have been specifically created for safe use on pets.

• Take breaks. Taking regular breaks gives everyone the chance to step out of a hot car and get some much-needed fresh air. This is also a good opportunity to give your pet some fresh water. Both of these factors could help to lower their body temperature and make them feel more comfortable.

• Shade them. If possible, try to create shade in your car to keep the concentrated heat of the sun off your pet. You may need to think about creating a makeshift shady area (using blankets, for example) to block out light.

If you’re transporting a dog and notice any of the following tell-tale signs of heatstroke, pull over safely as soon as you can and let them out for fresh air:

• Heavy panting

• Difficulty remaining balanced

• Vomiting and diarrhoea

• Unusual levels of drowsiness and lethargy

• Collapse

• High levels of drooling of foaming at the mouth

• Sticky, dry or bright red gums

• Muscle spasms, tremors or shaking

• Any odd or uncharacteristic behaviour.

Try to cool your pet down in any way you can, using cool water and fans to cool their body. Offer them cold water to drink, but don’t force them if they don’t want to. Act quickly as heatstroke could cause serious and lasting damage, or worse, if left untreated.

For more information: PDSA and the Goddard Vet Group

Advice on taking pets abroad

When travelling to any country in the EU, your pet needs all of the following:

• A microchip

• A valid rabies vaccination

• An animal health certificate, that’s valid for the country you’re travelling to

• Tapeworm treatment for any dogs travelling directly to the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland, Malta or Norway.

If you’re taking your pet to Northern Ireland, you’ll need a Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document (PTD).

These rules apply to all pets, including any kinds of service animals. Each country will have a specific set of requirements, which you will need to understand and follow when transporting your pet.

Just as you’d expect when travelling to another country, pets will need to go through a traveller’s point of entry upon arrival. It’s at this stage you’ll be asked to show the documentation proving your pet has had the necessary checks and jabs done.

Read our guide to find out more about travelling abroad with your pet.

How does driving with a pet in the car affect my car insurance?

If you have an accident with your pet in the car, as long as you’ve followed the rules of the Highway Code, you should be able to make a claim without the risk of being rejected.