How to stay safe when travelling with pets this summer

Keeping your four-legged friends safe and secure is paramount when hitting the road.

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Skoda Dog Crufts

Thousands of pet owners will be looking to take their four-legged friends away on a car-based adventure this summer. The thought of an exciting getaway is a tempting one, that’s for sure, but there are some aspects you need to keep in mind to ensure the safety of everyone in the car – pets included.

Here, we’ve taken a look through some of the primary things you’ll need to consider when travelling with pets this summer.

Pets need to be properly restrained

When driving in the UK – or further afield – you’ll need to make sure that your pets are suitably restrained. That could be with a proper seat harness, which typically locks into the standard seat anchor and will need to hook onto a dog harness to ensure they are secure.

If this isn’t an option, then you’ll need to keep the dogs in the boot with a proper guard to create a suitable partition between the rear luggage area and the back seats. You’ll be able to find these via the car’s manufacturer or a third-party supplier, and they’ll fit in neatly without too much fuss.

Volkswagen Dog Restraints
Dogs should be properly restrained when travelling (Credit: Volkswagen UK)

Keep water and snacks at hand

Just as with humans, pets need frequent water breaks to keep them comfortable. Particularly during the summer, plenty of fluids is vitally important, so make sure that you’ve got a good supply of fresh water on hand. You might want to top-up a refillable bottle whenever you stop, too.