Travelling with your pet in summer: some practical tips

The long-awaited moment of the holidays has arrived, and it’s time to get in the car and head to the holiday destination. A holiday in which, perhaps, you will be accompanied by your dog or cat, who also deserve a bit of fun. But if you are going to travel with your pet, you should know that not everything goes when it comes to travelling.

If you have to share your car with your pet, remember that it is not an inanimate object, but a living being. For that reason, bear in mind that it may be uncomfortable, move around and hinder driving, cause distractions or even dangerous situations. That is why it is necessary to transport your dog or cat with the appropriate safety measures.

If your pet has never travelled by car, it is best to get it used to it gradually, so that it does not get car sick and cause problems during the journey. Before embarking on a long trip, it is best to make some short journeys so that it gets used to the car and the movement. But be careful, because even on short trips you must not let the animal loose inside the car.

The ideal way to carry your pet in the car is in a carrier. There are many models on the market, from the simplest to the most complex. The former can be fastened with the seat belt and turn out to be quite safe. This system immobilises the carrier and secures it, preventing it from being thrown forward in the event of sudden braking.

In addition, it is the best system for transporting your pet, as it is calm, in a space where it feels comfortable and, above all, secure and safe. Before putting it inside, it is best that it gets used to it too. The more relaxed the animal is, the better the journey will go.

For larger animals, there are custom-made safety bars. These are welded to the bodywork and separate the space for the pet from the space used by people. They are installed permanently and have the drawback that they cannot be removed. Nevertheless, there are other telescopic models that are secured by pressure and can be removed if necessary.

The simplest option is to use a safety harness§h29§, which works like a normal lead. This harness is attached by the seat belts and prevents the animal from being loose. Its main problem is that it does not keep the dog still, but it prevents it from being thrown forward in the event of a collision. In its favour, it is the cheapest option of all those we have reviewed, and it can be obtained for about ten euros.