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Cumbria Times
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1:36 PM 12th April 2022
travel

How To Travel Safely With Your Pooch!

 
The Highway Code states ‘a seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard’ are the best ways to restrain your animal in the car in the UK - but what is best?

LeaseCar.uk have explored the different options open to motorists to enable them to make the best decision for their pet.

The Highway Code’s advice means the UK Government feels these are the safest and most appropriate ways to travel with a dog in the car and state that dogs should never just be restrained by their collar alone.

A spokesperson for LeaseCar.uk said:
“Whether travelling long distance or short, if you want to take your pet dog with you then you need to consider the safest option before embarking on your journey.

“With numerous options available it is worth taking some time to explore which will best suit you and your pet.”

It is also worthwhile exposing a pet to travelling in the car at a young age so they can get used to this mode of transport, and to be aware that they can also suffer with motion sickness, so to travel carefully on the road.

Here are the key considerations as outlined by LeaseCar.uk on what you need to think about:

Take time to ensure you have researched the product you are considering and ensure it is properly installed in the vehicle.

Travel harness - These are a popular option with many pet owners as they come in a wide variety of sizes to suit the size of your animal. They are usually fairly straightforward to attach to your pet so they can sit securely in the car seat.

Crate - This might be a suitable option particularly if the crate is something that has been used for training purposes while the pet has been young, as it will be familiar with the surroundings.

Dog seat belts - These are similar to seat belts used by humans, and the idea is to plug into the buckle and clip onto the dog’s harness. The seat belt is adjustable to meet the size of your pet. These can help your pet stay upright without allowing them to roam around on the back seat.

Boot gate - Some animals find they are happiest in the boot of the car, and a gate can help ensure that the pet doesn’t make its way into the backseat while on the journey. This solution also gives the pet plenty of space in which to settle.

Carrier - A carrier is useful for holidays or long journeys as it is a portable version of a crate and is user friendly if needing to get in and out of the car a lot.

LeaseCar.uk