Travelling with Your Dog — A Practical Guide
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Travelling with a dog takes a little more planning than travelling without one, but it's completely manageable once you have the right setup. Here's what to think about for car journeys, days out and longer trips.
In the car
Under the Highway Code, dogs should be suitably restrained in a vehicle. In practice this means either a car seat belt clipped to their harness, a crate, or a dog guard separating the boot from the passenger area.
A car seat cover keeps hair and mud off your seats and is genuinely worth having if your dog travels with you regularly. It can also be used as a back-seat hammock, which some dogs find more comfortable.
Carriers for smaller dogs and cats
For cats and small dogs, a good carrier makes car travel, train journeys and vet visits much less stressful. See our guide to choosing a carrier for help picking the right one.
Water and food on the go
Dogs need regular water, especially on longer journeys and in warm weather. A portable water bottle with a built-in bowl is the easiest solution — one object that does both jobs.
For food on longer trips, a folding travel bowl is compact enough to throw in a bag without taking up much space.
Keeping your dog comfortable
Some dogs find travel stressful. A few things that help: keep the car cool and well-ventilated, bring a familiar blanket or toy, take breaks every two hours on longer journeys, and never leave a dog alone in a hot car.
Before you travel
- Make sure your dog's microchip details are up to date
- Pack their regular food — changing diet while travelling can upset their stomach
- Bring a copy of any medication they take
- If travelling abroad, check the current pet travel rules well in advance