{"id":7764,"date":"2021-05-13T10:39:16","date_gmt":"2021-05-13T09:39:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stoneacre.co.uk\/blog\/?p=7764"},"modified":"2025-04-01T11:39:28","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T10:39:28","slug":"dog-car-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stoneacre.co.uk\/blog\/dog-car-travel-guide","title":{"rendered":"The Dog Car Travel Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For many households in the UK, pets are an important part of the family. Whether you\u2019ve recently welcomed a new furry, feathered, or scaly companion or have had your pet for years, ensuring they are comfortable and safe while travelling is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some animals take to car travel with ease, while others may need time and training to feel at ease on the road. If you’re introducing your pet to car journeys or looking for ways to make trips safer and more enjoyable, this blog is full of helpful tips and advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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First, we explore the legal requirements for travelling with pets, as failing to comply could result in fines and points on your licence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Law on Dog Car Travel<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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We\u2019ve all seen a dog with its head hanging out the car\nwindow looking incredibly adorable. However, not only is this unsafe for the\ndog, but it is also potentially illegal and fails to meet rule 57 of the\nHighway Code, which sets out specific standards for dog car travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rule 57 of the Highway Code states:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWhen in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are\nsuitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure\nyou, or themselves if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog\ncage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Disobeying the Highway Code does not carry a direct penalty,\nbut it does put the driver at risk of getting a \u00a31,000 fine if pulled over by\nthe police for driving without proper control of your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You could also face the higher charge of failing to drive with due care and attention, which carries a maximum fine of \u00a35,000 and nine penalty points if the case goes to court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What\u2019s more, if your pet is found to have caused on contributed to an accident because it is not secure in your vehicle, your car insurance could be invalidated as well your pet insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So it is really not worth the risk. Instead, get your dog used to travelling securely and not distracting you while you are driving. Below we take a look at some of the options available to you to make sure your pet stays safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Securing a Dog for Safer Travel<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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To keep your pet safer on car journeys and to ensure that you comply with the Highway Code regulations, you should use make sure the dog is secure in your vehicle. Fortunately, there are a range of options available to keep your pet safe on the move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dog Crate<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A dog crate provides a safe, enclosed space for your dog to\ntravel in comfort. A dog crate can be useful for nervous travellers, especially\nif they are crate trained in the home, as the idea of having a safe space will already\nbe familiar to them. You can line it with their favourite blanket or pop in\ntheir favourite toy on any journeys to help them feel more relaxed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should choose a crate that is the right size for your\ndog, giving them enough space to sit, stand, and turn around in, yet be small\nenough to keep them secure. The crate should be a sturdy material and easy for\nyou to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dog crates can seem quite bulky in your boot, and while many people choose to carry it permanently in the boot, you do have the flexibility to remove it should you need to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dog Carrier<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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For smaller dogs, a crate may be too big, and the better\noption may be to use a dog carrier. Carriers tend to be lighter weight than\ncrates and can even be made from fabric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Each carrier will have instructions on the best way to\nsecure them in the car, but many are best secured on the rear seats using the\nseatbelt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some carriers can also double up as a bed if you are heading\non a stay away from home, thereby reducing the amount of stuff you need to\ncarry for your dog.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dog Car Seatbelt<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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An option for large and small dogs is a dog car seatbelt\nwhich helps keep your dog secure if travelling them on the back seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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They come in all shapes and sizes, so it is easy to find a\ndog seatbelt that suits both yourself and your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Most dog seatbelts are harnesses that you fasten around your\ndog and then attach to the car to keep your pet safe when travelling. Some dog\nseatbelts will clip in to tether points in the car, while others will require\nyou to thread it through the seatbelt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Boot Guard<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For people who want to put their dog in the boot, having a boot guard fitted is one of the most hassle-free solutions. You can buy and fit the guard yourself or have it fitted for you at a garage. Many manufacturers have dog guards available for specific models<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A dog guard will help keep your dog secure in the boot and prevent it from getting loose. However, unlike a crate, it doesn\u2019t take up space in the boot, so you can easily carry other luggage when your dog is not in the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Now you know a bit more about the best ways to ensure your dog travels safely in the car, it is time to look at some travel dos and don\u2019ts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Getting a Dog Used to Car Travel<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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The best way to get your dog used to car travel is to start by getting them used to the car. You could get them to sit in the boot (if this is where they will be travelling) for short periods and feed them a couple of treats. As they get used to this, you can shut the boot and get in the driver\u2019s seat for short periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Once the dog is comfortable getting in and out of the car\nand sitting in it for some time, you can start making very short journeys. You\nshould start as you mean to go on, and introduce the method you will use to\nsecure your dog in the car from the start. The earlier you can do this and the\nmore consistent you are, the better they will accept it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To provide some reassurance, travel your dog with one of\ntheir blankets, their bed or a favourite toy. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If possible, it is a good idea to go to fun places with your\ndog. For example, instead of walking to your local park, you could take your\ndog in the car. Doing this will help your dog associate car travel with a\npositive outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Once you have got out and about locally, you can increase the amount of time the dog spends in the car. Break up longer journeys by making regular stops and giving your dog a short walk. While most dogs quickly get used to travelling, some dogs do not adapt quite as well. Below we take a look at dog travel sickness and how you can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dog Travel Sickness<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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That\u2019s right, dogs can get travel sick just like us humans.\nFor owners with a pet with travel sickness travelling in the car can quickly\nbecome a worrying and unpleasant experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Typical symptoms of dog travel sickness include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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