Taking your pet in the car
How to keep your pet safe and as comfortable as possible on a long journey.
As a pet owner it's your responsibility to make sure your pet is healthy and fit enough to go on a long journey. Your pet shouldn't travel if it's ill or injured or heavily pregnant and likely to give birth during your trip.
Read the tips below to make sure you're prepared to take your pet on a long trip.
Make your pet comfortable
- The container your pet travels in should be a suitable size, big enough for your pet to stand up, sit and lie down in a natural position and to turn around easily. No part of your pet such as his head, paws or tail, should protrude or become trapped.
- Your pet should be well ventilated through a nearby window throughout the journey especially if the weather is hot or you have the heating on.
- Make sure you have fresh water available at all times if the journey is going to last for more than a few hours.
- You should have appropriate and absorbent bedding for your pet.
- Stop to give you and your pet a chance to stretch every few hours.
Keep your pet safe
- Secure your dog or cat as they can be a danger to the driver and passengers if they're not.
- If you have an accident, this will prevent them from running out into the traffic and possibly being killed or causing another accident.
- It's best if your pet is kept in the back seat or hatch of your car, ideally in a pet container, as front-seat airbags could seriously injure your pet, if it deployed.
Prevent travel sickness
- Get your pet used to its pet container before your journey by taking them on a few short trips.
- Limit your pet's water intake just before travelling.
- Don't feed your pet for three to four hours before travelling.
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