Travelling With Pets - Do's and Dont's
What You Need to Know About Travelling With a Pet in the Car
There are a number of reasons why you would drive with your pet in the car. Regardless of whether you’re taking them to the vet or bringing them with you on holiday, it’s important to make sure that they are safely strapped in and won’t distract you while driving. At Liverpool Car Centre, we are going to expand on what necessities you need to know when travelling with an animal in the car.
What does the law say?
According to the Rules about Animals section of the Highway Code, Rule 57 states that “dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly.”. Because of this, if you happen to get into an accident that’s caused by your dog distracting you while you're driving, it can be classed as ‘dangerous driving’.
It’s also important to keep in mind that your insurance policy might require animals to be “suitably restrained” while travelling in a car.
How should you transport your pet?
Depending on the type of pet and that animal’s level of comfortability, there are a variety of options for you to choose from:
Pet seat belts
Harnesses
Crates and Carriers
Boot guards
Websites like PDSA and Pets at Home have a great range of harnesses and crates available for cats and dogs. So take the time to consider what would be the best for your pet, especially if they’re going to be taken on a long car journey.
How can you make car travel more comfortable for your pet?
All pets are different, some will have no problem jumping into the car and accompanying while others may struggle. But there are ways to encourage your pet to be more comfortable with travelling.
Introduce them to the car as early as possible, allowing them to socialise around your vehicle will help them view car travel as a normal experience. You can start with short trips to build up their confidence, working up to longer journeys. Be sure to end the journey with something fun like a treat or a long walk.
If your pet gets car sick, avoid feeding them during a car ride. Either give them plenty of time to digest their meal or wait until after the travelling to feed them.
Even though crates and harnesses keep your pet safe, it can be easy for your animal to get cramps. Take regular breaks to allow your pet to stretch its legs.
If it’s a hot day when travelling with your pet, make sure you keep the back of the car cool and have water ready to avoid dehydration.
Things to keep in mind when travelling with your pet
As fun as it may look, don’t let your pet travel with its head out of an open window. It’s incredibly risky for them to be injured by a passing vehicle or tree branches hanging over the roadside
While airbags help to keep us safe, it’s important to remember to turn them off while your pet is travelling with you.
Avoid leaving your pet alone in the car and it’s especially dangerous on warm days as dogs can overheat in minutes.
It may seem unlikely but it’s still possible your car could break down or you could be stuck in heavy traffic. Like water, it’s a good idea to bring a supply of food in case this happens.
So, now you know the ins and outs of travelling with your pet in your car. At Crossways Garage, we wish you happy travels with your favourite pet passengers.