Such preparations should also enable you to comply with this directive by the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006:
You must not transport an animal in a way that causes, or is likely to cause, injury or unnecessary suffering to that animal.
Non-compliance of the Highway Code and the Welfare of Animals Order 2006 can get pet owners fined up to £2,500. Such a violation can also potentially invalidate their car insurance when accidents happen.
Travelling with dogs on road trips can be a fun journey. But careful preparation is needed to ensure their safety and comfort. Here are some tips and pointers to remember when travelling with dogs.
What to prepare before travelling with dogs
Travelling with dogs is enjoyable, but only if you are well prepared. Here are some of the things to do before going on a long road trip with your furry companions:
Travelling with dogs to-do #1: Get your dog checked by the vet.
This is especially important if you plan to bring your dog who has just recovered from a sickness or is under medication on a trip. Specific arrangements might be needed to comfortably accommodate him, which the vet can help identify.
If this is your dog’s first road trip or if your dog has motion sickness, the vet will also take this time to prescribe suitable anti-nausea medications.
Travelling with dogs to-do #2: Help your dog become acclimated with car travel.
How do you travel long-distance with a dog? Let your dog experience short road trips 1–2 months before bringing your pet on long journeys. Most of these trips must be something your dog will look forward to.
Taking him to a dog park or a beach is a great way to let your dog associate car rides with positive experiences. It will ease his stress level when the scheduled long car journey comes.
Travelling with dogs to-do #3: Plan your route early.
To make travelling with dogs smooth-sailing, start looking for pet-friendly destinations, from hotels to national parks, ahead of time. Inquire where their pet-relief areas are and what regulations they have set on bringing pets, as some have strict protocols to follow.
This will help you determine and narrow down which dog-friendly places are ideal to visit when travelling with dogs. Make sure to include mapping out nearby pet stores and veterinary clinics in the area, so that you know where to go during pet emergencies.
Travelling with dogs to-do #4: Make sure that your dog wears identification.
There is always a possibility that your dog may bolt away from the vehicle when at a pit stop. Always be ready for instances like this when travelling with dogs in car by ensuring that ID tags and microchips have up-to-date contact information.
It should contain your pet’s name, his medical needs, and microchip information. Also include your complete address and phone number.
Include a contact number of a friend or family member in case you are unable to receive messages or calls. Other information you can add is a reward offer and identifiable physical or personality quirk of your dog.
When travelling with dogs, always keep them on lead during stopovers. Do not forget to check their collars too. These should fit snugly around their neck without any chances of accidentally slipping off during the road trip.
Have a photo of your pets ready too, in case they do escape and you need to ask around to find them.
Travelling with dogs to-do #5: Stow in cleaning supplies in case of doggy accidents.
No matter how house-trained your dog is, potty accidents whilst travelling in a car can still happen. In some cases, your pooch might have carsickness and throw up in the car; this even happens to well-travelled dogs or those who have travelled the world.
Hence, make sure that cleaning wipes, paper towels, disposable gloves, bags, and odour remover are present in your car when travelling with your pets. This way, you can quickly get rid of the mess and lower the chances of bad dog odour retaining inside the vehicle.
What to pack for your dog’s car travel kit?
Be sure to ready the pet care essentials needed when travelling with dogs. Bring your furry friend’s:
- Dog food
- Water
- Food and water bowls
- Poo bags
- Medications
- Updated health records (including vaccination and health certificate)
- Grooming supplies
- Lead
- Pet first-aid kit
- Treats and toys
- Dog-safe sunscreen
- Pet passports
Tip:When travelling with dogs, make sure to bring at least 2 water bottles for each day of the trip. It is advised that the water should come from your home.
Avoid using water from other parts of the country because they have different mineral content, which can upset your dog’s stomach.
Also, measure and pack his meals in individual containers ahead of time for easy feeding.
How to travel with a dog in a car safely
Restrain your dog properly. In compliance with the Highway Code, keep your dog strapped using a doggy seatbelt along with a pet travel harness, crate, or guard. It lessens distractions whilst driving, and keeps both of you safe.
Do not let your dog take the seat in front passenger area as it puts him in great danger if ever a car crash happens. The impact may throw him out of the car and cause serious injuries.
What happens if dog owners fail to follow this protocol?
Non-compliance of the Highway Code and the Welfare of Animals Order 2006 can get pet owners fined up to £2,500. Such a violation can also potentially invalidate their car insurance when accidents happen.
Travelling with dogs for long-distance: Make it safe and comfortable
Long car journeys with dogs can be exhausting. Keep your canine companions happy and comfy during the long trip by following these tips:
Travelling with dogs tip #1: Feed your dog 3–4 hours before the trip to decrease the chances of motion sickness from occurring. When you stop for mealtimes, only serve small amounts of food your dog loves.
Avoid feeding your dog a heavy meal before and during car rides as it can trigger his motion sickness.
Travelling with dogs tip #2: Be warned that travelling with dogs at temperatures above 68 degrees Fahrenheit can lead them to suffer heatstroke. To avoid this danger, start your car journey during the earliest parts of the day as it has the coolest temperature.
Avoid afternoon road trips as the sun is blazing hotly around this time.
Travelling with dogs tip #3: Make the travelling more comfortable for your pet by installing a car window sun shade to block out the rays of the sun.
This helps in keeping the vehicles interior cooler and protects your dog from heatstroke and harmful UV rays that can damage his skin and eyes.
Travelling with dogs tip #4: Keep your car properly ventilated by cracking the window open, just enough to let the air in. But avoid opening it all the way when travelling with dogs, as they might jump out or put their heads outside, which is very dangerous.
It is also a good idea to turn the air conditioning on, especially during hot summer seasons, when travelling with dogs. Needless to say, do not leave your dogs unattended inside the car too.
Travelling with dogs tip #5: Make sure that your dog drinks enough water during the pet travel to keep him well hydrated. Since his body is taking in water, expect that he will need to relieve himself sooner or later. Let your dog have toilet breaks every 2–3 hours.
Travelling with dogs tip #6: If you transport your pet in a carrier during road trips, consider putting a rubber mat underneath. This will prevent the pet carrier from moving around when you are driving through curvy roads.
Travelling with dogs tip #7: No feeding of treats when travelling with dogs in a moving car for several reasons. Not only can it cause upset stomach, but also choking. Moreover, it distracts you from driving. Thus, just stick to praising your pooch for handling car trips well.
Know When to Leave Your Dog at Home
Some dogs can be trained to travel with their owners on road trips. However, others may not be so keen on joining the journey.
If your furry companion whines or panics whenever he is in the car, don’t feel guilty leaving him at home with a pet sitter. It is better for your pooch to be relaxed and comfortable.
Forcing him to go with you can make the entire trip a disaster. Reserve car rides for important matters such as bringing him to the vet.
