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Car travel safety

• Make sure that your dog is safely restrained by using a car harness, a travel crate or dog-guard.

• Provide fresh drinking water at all times (non-spillable bowls are available) and make plenty of stops on your journey for him to stretch his legs and relieve himself. Never exercise your dog on the hard shoulder of a motorway – wait for a service station.

• Never leave a dog alone in a car, especially on a warm or hot day. Ensure that the sun is not directly on him whilst you are travelling and try to make your journey during the coolest part of the day. If you use a sunshade attached to the window, make sure that it does not obscure your vision. Make sure that someone stays with your dog when you stop at a service station.

• Don’t feed your dog just before travelling as this will help reduce the likelihood of him suffering from car sickness.

• Remember that the inside of a car legally constitutes a public place. Anyone who is bitten when sticking his or her fingers through your car window could report you under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. If you have been ordered to keep your dog muzzled in public then you must muzzle him whilst he is in the car also.

• Don’t let your dog stick his head out of the window as passing vehicles could injure him, his eyes or ears could be damaged by particles in the air or he could try to jump out.

• Only sedate your dog if completely necessary and as a last resort. Only use sedatives that have been prescribed specifically for your dog by your vet.

• Find out if your vehicle recovery service will allow your dog to travel in the cab with you if necessary. It may not be safe for your dog to travel in your towed car.

Please also see

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents 'Carrying Pets Safely' leaflet

Hot weather safety (opens new browser window)