Top Tips for Driving with Pets
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 5 months ago
5 min read
- Creative
- Travel
FixMyCar offers advice for pet owners on how to travel safely with animals.
Travelling with pets can be stressful for them and you. There's a lot to think about, especially if you're covering a long distance. Not only does your pet need to be comfortable and safe, but you must also ensure you're staying on the right side of the law. This guide covers everything you need to know.
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Advice for driving with pets
Use a carrier or crate. It should be well-ventilated and secure, free from strangling hazards like loose collars and leads.
Buy a specialised harness or seatbelt. It's essential to keep your pet suitably restrained. You can get equipment that allows your pet to move around and sit upright, keeping them comfortable.
Never leave your pet alone in the vehicle. Cars get hot surprisingly quickly even when the weather isn't that warm, and animals don't have the same ability to regulate their body temperature as us. Heatstroke kills - parking in the shade or leaving the window open isn't enough.
Get your pet used to travelling. Some animals understandably get anxious when travelling, so if you've got a long journey coming up, try to get them used to being in the car with a few shorter trips before you go.
Don't forget to pack supplies. You'll need to bring food, water, a bowl, poo bags and any medication. It's a good idea to pack more than you think you'll need in case you get stuck somewhere.
Check on your pet regularly. Pull over somewhere to ensure they're okay or ask a passenger to keep an eye on them throughout the journey.
Keep them hydrated. Your pet should have access to water. If you're worried about spillages, you can buy specialised bowls designed for use in cars.
Stop along the way. On longer journeys, plan a stop or two into your route to give your pet time to stretch their legs and get some fresh air.
Use window shades. This is an excellent way to keep the back of the car cool and shield your pet from hot sunlight.
The challenges of driving with pets in the car
It can be tempting to let your pet travel unsecured in your car - for many of us, they're like a family member. But doing so comes with several serious risks:
It could be distracting for the driver.
If unrestrained, your pet is more likely to be seriously injured in an accident.
You could end up committing a driving offence if you get too distracted.
Your insurance company might not pay out in an accident if your pet is unrestrained.
Dogs risk infection if they stick their head out of the window.
The law on driving with pets
There are laws about transporting animals in cars. If you fail to adequately restrain your pet, become distracted and then get pulled over, you could be charged with careless or dangerous driving.
The Highway Code states: "When in a vehicle, make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop too quickly. A seat-belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars."
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