Taking your dog with you on holiday or to visit family and friends is part of normal life for most dog owners. Following this advice can make travelling with your dog a much more relaxed experience.
Safety first
All dogs by law should be suitably restrained whilst travelling in the car; this will prevent any harm to them or you and prevent any distractions to the driver. Some dogs love to poke their nose out of an open window, but this increases risk of injury to you dog, from catching themselves on passing bushes, to falling out of the car, or being injured when passing close to other cars, a common hazard on Cornish lanes!
- Give your dog the chance to get used to the space in the car beforehand; the safest spaces are the car boot or back seat. Then do short practice runs with favourite blankets and beds.
- Make a stop en route to reward them with a treat. Toys or chews are good to have as a distraction too for the longer journey.
- Remember to stop frequently for toilet breaks!
Some dogs experience car-sickness; signs to look for are excessive drooling, panting, retching and vomiting. Avoid feeding a meal (at least 2-3 hours) before a journey to reduce car sickness, but if your dog is often car-sick, get your vet’s advice before any long car journeys, as there are a number of medications that can help to reduce car sickness.
