When it comes to our furry friends, they deserve as much comfort and safety as we can offer. Whether it’s letting your dog run free along a beach, or taking your cat for a reassuring vet check-up, the destination itself may be fine but the journey often isn’t. From vomiting to whining and clawing… some pets really suffer with car anxiety.
But there are steps that you can take to minimise their distress and make it enjoyable for both you and them. Take a look at our top tips and drive smoothly, even with your precious pet in tow, using Halfords pet travel accessories.
Causes of car anxiety
To help your pet adjust to travel, it’s important to figure out what’s causing them to be upset. Generally, it comes down to five things…
- Unfamiliarity – the whole environment of being inside a car is strange and alien to your pet. They can’t understand where they are, where home is, or what’s going on!
- Motion sickness – if you suffer with car sickness, you may be able to sympathise. The swaying and stop-and-starting can make your pet feel nauseous and anxious, just like it does with people.
- Noise – whether it’s beeping, shouting, loud music, or even your engine, there’s plenty of overwhelming noise involved when travelling. Plus, animals are often more sensitive to noise.
- Separation anxiety – if your loving pet can’t see you, and they’re in an unfamiliar environment, it’s more than enough to set them on edge.
- Routine – being fed later, having limited access to water, or trying to sleep somewhere that isn’t their bed, can all contribute to a disrupted routine and further distress.
Preparation
To make the experience as smooth as possible, you should begin your travel prep early.
Practice short trips
Familiarise your pet with the feeling of car travel through brief trips out. The rides only need to be about 5 minutes long but it’ll still benefit your pet’s wellbeing – especially if they’re young. Your furry pal can slowly adjust to the noises, scents, and motion through manageable practice runs. It’s always best to ease them into it rather than risk creating more fear/trauma by forcing them to behave during a long road trip.
Introduce their pet carrier
Let your pet have a sniff and a look at their carrier, harness, or crate prior to the journey. You may even want to enclose them inside for a while. That way, they recognise their carrier as a snug, safe space rather than a cage.
A trip to the vets
Although many animals fear visiting their local vets, it might be a good idea to pop in prior to travelling. If you’re planning on going overseas, your dog may need booster vaccinations (particularly rabies). Otherwise, it can be reassuring to get your pet micro-chipped so that they can be easily identified if lost in a new area.
Pet-friendly stops
Prior to setting off on your journey, it’s probably worth researching any pet-friendly attractions or stop-offs. For example, if you need a hotel overnight, you’d be lucky to find one that will accept your pet unless pre-organised. You may also want to organise some fun activities and destinations that will welcome your pooch, once you arrive at your destination… after all, it’s their holiday too!
During your journey
You can carry out all the preparation in the world prior to your journey, but ultimately animals are unpredictable! You’ll need to keep up your efforts, particularly during the actual journey, if you want your pet to travel calmly and safely. Legally, your dog must be suitably restrained while inside the car to minimise the risk of distracting the driver. According to the Highway Code, you mustn’t let your dog ride in the passenger seat either. Otherwise, if you neglect these law you may receive a £5,000 fine or even a trip to court.
Security
Depending on the size and temperament of your pet, they may need different travel accessories. If your dog is excitable or mischievous, a dog barrier or crate will save your journey. Most dog barriers are super easy to install and limit your pooch to the boot of the car without making them uncomfortable.
However, giving your dog a compact and secure space such as a crate, also has its benefits. Dog crates can decrease the chances of your dog becoming injured, whether that’s self-inflicted or through a road accident. At Halfords, we offer a great range of dog crates including the premium and expert-approved Thule Allax Crate.
Thule Allax Crate
With elite protection features and crash-test approved, the Thule Allax Crate allows for great visibility so you can see your dog, and vice versa. Additionally, it’s equipped with an emergency escape hatch and uses an innovative crumple zone to protect from rear collisions and even a roll-over scenario. This crate truly revolutionises the world of pet travel so that you and your pooch can travel with peace of mind.
Pet carrier
If your pet measures on the smaller side, a carrier may be more efficient and better suited. You should always check that your pet carrier allows for good ventilation and solid support. They’re ideal for short walks or journeys as they supply hands-free convenience, but you should avoid them for long-term use as they limit your pet’s natural movement.
Dog harness
When travelling, you’ll also want to use a dog harness to keep your pet secure and settled. If you need to know how to apply a dog harness, rest assured that it’s straight-forward. Simply, slip the neck section over your pet’s head and clip the straps beneath their belly. You should always be able to fit two fingers between the harness and your dog’s body, otherwise it’s too tight.
If your dog suffers particularly badly with separation anxiety, a harness may be the best option as you can situate them on the back seats and still ensure their safety. Typically, you’ll connect the dog harness strap to your car’s seatbelt so there are no car modifications required.
At Halfords, we offer affordable and robust dog harnesses from trusted brands, including Battersea and Kurgo.
Comfort
While safety is always the top priority, your pet doesn’t know that. You should also make sure to comfort and reassure your beloved furry friend. If your dog is panicking, they are more likely to injure themselves.
You may want to bring your pet’s favourite toy or blanket so that they feel at home and can soothe themselves with familiar scents. If your pet particularly suffers, it may be worth trying the Pet Remedy Kit. Designed to calm and reassure, the kit comes with calming wipes and a travel-sized spray. Infused with essential oils like Vetiver, Pet Remedy is the perfect additional support for your nervous pet.
Regular breaks
You should make sure to stop every 1-2 hours so that your pooch can stretch their legs, go to the toilet, and have a sniff around. Otherwise, your dog will grow agitated and may begin to misbehave. Use this time to encourage hydration and offer them some fresh water. For travel, lightweight silicone or BPA-free plastic bowls are great, and they often fold down flat for easy storage. Browse our excellent feeding range stocked with dog-expert brands including KONG and Battersea, whether it’s a collapsible bowl or an insulated bottle.
Ultimately, the most important thing to remember is patience! Your pet doesn’t know where they’re going or why, so speak softly to them and offer plenty of treats. And remember to never, ever leave them in a car by themselves – especially if it’s warm outside.
With our top tips, reliable travel accessories and some TLC, your pet is sure to settle into the journey. Over time, they’ll even start to enjoy car rides, along with the rest of the family!
Shop now at Halfords for all of your pet travel needs.
