Travelling Safely with your Pet

Whether taking your pet on an adventure to enjoy the brighter and milder weather or bringing them on a routine trip to a vet or a grooming appointment, ensuring your pet’s safety while you travel is paramount. The Highway Code stipulates for drivers to “make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves if you have to stop quickly”. Taking the correct measures will not only help protect your beloved four-legged friend but will also keep you and other road users safe.

Before you set off on any journey, it’s important to make sure you have the correct restraints, depending on the size and type of your pet – ultimately you will want something that ensures your pet’s safety and comfort at the same time. The USPCA Pet Supplies Shop stocks a range of restraints and travel essentials for your pet:

Seatbelts / ISOfix Harnesses

These come in a range of sizes and can be used for your pet sitting in the back seat or in the boot.

Crates / Pet Carriers

Make sure the crate/carrier is nice and roomy for your pet, allowing them ample space to lie down comfortably during the journey. Soft or hard pet carriers are available at the USPCA Pet Supplies Shop, depending on your preference. For those already crate training their pet at home, there is an added benefit of using these for transport as your pet has already built-up strong familiarity with it.

Boot Bar Guards

Some dogs may prefer to sit in the boot, restrained by a harness or crate. You may also want to invest in bar guards to stop them attempting to jump through to the back seat / front of the vehicle.

In addition to its pet travel safety range, the USPCA Pet Supplies Shop also stocks seat covers and boots mats – an essential for pet parents whose pup prefers to get their paws good and muddy while out adventuring!

Whilst travelling is a normal day activity for us humans, it can be quite daunting for our pets – some may be very anxious travelers and will need a little help getting used to it. Check out some additional tips for travelling with your pet – including what to keep in mind on those longer-haul trips!

• Introduce your pet to travelling as early as possible in the younger stages of their life. Helping them experience this at a young age will go a long way in countering any anxiety and distress and get them used to the motion of travelling.
• If you’re afraid your pet may experience travel sickness, try starting them off with shorter journeys and gradually work their way up to longer periods of time.
• Make regular stops during long journeys to allow your pet to stretch their legs, drink plenty of water, and relieve themselves if needed. Be extra mindful of this during warmer spells of weather as the temperature of a car can rise rapidly over a short period of time.
• Do not leave your pet unaccompanied in the car – especially in warmer weather – even if it is just to do a quick errand. Not long is too long.
• Bring along some favourite toys or blankets for your pet to give them a sense of comfort if they are a little unsure of travelling.
• Make sure you have packed all the essentials – from a travel water bowl/bottle, poop scoop and waste bags, treats for the destination and a first aid kit, you can never be too prepared. The USPCA Pet Supplies Shop has all you and your pet could need for any trip.

Here’s to many and happy safe adventures together!