Travel Tips for Staying on the Move with Your Pet!

Our pets are not just animals, they are a huge part of our families, so it stands to reason that we want to take them with us on holidays, adventures and days out. Whilst the thought of frolicking on the beach or running through the woods with them might seem perfect, getting them to your destination is sometimes more difficult, and so a lot of thought needs to go into how you plan to transport them.

In this article we have put together some of our top tips on the best way to travel with your pets to keep them safe, happy and stress free.

The Highway Code

According to The Highway Code, it is the responsibility of the driver to ensure that all animals in the vehicle are suitably restrained. This is to ensure that they are not able to distract the driver and cause an accident, but also to prevent them from injuring you or themselves if an accident were to occur.

As a result of this, an accident caused by an animal who has not been properly restrained could result in an invalid insurance policy and a charge of ‘dangerous driving’. It is therefore imperative that you think carefully about how you intend to transport your pet in a way that keeps everybody safe and on the right side of the law.

Restraining your pet

When it comes to restraining your pet, this can be easier with cats or other small animals as they can be put into a specially designed pet carrier. You should ensure that you make this as comfortable as possible for them and that once they have been placed (or wrestled) inside that you have closed it securely.

This is because you do not want them to make an escape when are outside of the car, or to cause a problem while you are driving. You should also ensure that the carrier is secured in place using clips or a seatbelt.

When it comes to securing a dog, there are several different options. You could put them into a crate which can be secured to the seats or put in the boot, or alternatively you could invest in a harness that can be attached into place. If your animal is travelling in the front of your car, then you need to make sure that the airbag has been turned off.

Make them comfortable

Travelling can be stressful for your pets, and the back seat of your car will never be as comfortable as you r sofa, so it is understandable that animals can get a little restless. It is therefore important to try and make them as comfortable as possible. You could do this by installing quilted car seat covers, which will not only give your pet something to snuggle up on, but it will also help to protect your seats from pet hair, scratches and any little accidents that might occur.

In addition to this, you can also get specially made car pet beds which are warm and cosy and provide extra layers of comfort. These act like a home away from home and can be placed in your boot as a way to give your pet somewhere comfortable and peaceful to travel.

Food and drink

You should try not to overfeed your pet before any kind of long journey, as this can make them feel sick once they are on the move. Instead, try to feed them small amounts and give them a little extra if you stop for a break. It is important that all animals are kept hydrated through a journey, as dehydration can make them unwell and bring on travel sickness.

Exercise

Whilst it is difficult to let smaller animals exercise, you should give a dog chance to stretch its legs if you are on a long journey. Make sure you plan regular breaks that will allow them chance to burn off any pent-up energy and to relieve themselves without doing it all over your car seats.

Paperwork

If you are planning on taking your animal abroad, then you will need to make sure that you have all of your paperwork in place before you go. What you need will often depend on where you are travelling to, how long you intend to stay and what type of animal you are taking with you so you will need to do your homework.

It is important to remember that there is often a backlog in processing permits, health records and pet passports, so you should try to get this in order as early as possible to ensure that you are not left without it when you set off.

Once you get on the move, make sure that you keep all of your pet’s travel documents with your own so that they are easily accessible when they need to be checked and try to make copies of them in case they get lost while you are there.

Plan in advance

If you are taking a pet away with you, then it is important to make sure that they are going to be welcome. You should check that your hotel or campsite is pet friendly and also have a look for nearby pet friendly pubs and restaurants that you will be able to take your animal to when you get out and about.

There are now lots of apps available that can show you pet friendly walks, attractions and restaurants as well as vets and animal hospitals in case a problem occurs while you are away. You may even be able to find some pet sitting services that can take care of your animal while you go somewhere that they are not able to.

Travelling with your pet can be great fun and it can feel very special to involve them in precious family memories, but they just require a little forward planning to make sure that they are able to reach their destination in comfort whilst also remaining within the law.