Your dog should be relaxed during the journey. It is a good idea for him to be able to run around before the trip if he is active on walks and to satisfy his physiological needs. If you don’t have this option, a short walk should suffice. This will make him calmer in the car. Your pet should also have a drink of water before starting the drive.
Food and water access
Do not give him anything to eat for several hours before the journey. Your pet can have constant access to water before starting the drive, but it is better if he does not eat anything before the trip. Some dogs take the trip badly and may end up returning the food. Also, do not feed your dog while you are driving. Give him water only during stops. Only when you reach your destination can you reward him with a meal.
Make sure your dog is comfortable
Your dog gives off heat by yawning, so he should be able to adopt a comfortable position that allows him to do so. The temperature in the car mustn’t be too high. You can open the windows and create a breeze or turn on the air conditioning with the air blowing into the back of the car. Under no circumstances should your dog stick his head out of the window. Many people find the pictures available on the Internet of a dog with its mouth open, leaning out of a car window onto the road, charming, but this behaviour can be dangerous. The dog may, for example, snag its head on something, which could be fatal.
Take breaks
If you are going on a journey of several hours or more, do not forget about the stops. They are very important for the driver and passengers, but also the dog. They should be done every 2 hours or so, although some dogs (e.g. puppies and dogs with joint problems) should be able to leave the car more often. This is an individual issue. The dog can then take care of its physiological needs, go for a short walk, relax, experience new smells and have a drink of water. Never let your dog run free without a leash during a stop. If he gets frightened, he may run off into an area that is unfamiliar to both him and you.
What do the regulations say about transporting a dog by car?
Check properly what are dog transporting regulations in the country you are visiting. In most countries, there are no specific guidelines that regulate the rules on transporting dogs in cars. What is known is that a dog should be transported safely and under no circumstances should it obstruct the driver’s view or distract his attention, nor should it be transported on your lap without any protection. However, the regulations do not say exactly what is meant by the word „safe” transport of a dog. We encourage you to consider securing your dog with a harness and a seatbelt, or a car cate.
What are the consequences of transporting your dog incorrectly?
In some countries you might get a warning or a fine, for improperly transporting your dog. However, there are much more serious consequences of transporting your dog incorrectly. The dog may distract you, move around in the car, get in your way and obstruct your visibility. This all leads to dangerous driving, which can end in an accident on the road. Your pet might cause injury to the driver or passengers during an accident, so it is a good idea to prepare your dog for driving in such a way that the journey is safe for both your pet and all passengers.
Do NOT leave your dog alone in the car
Under no circumstances should you leave your dog alone in the car on warm days, even if the car window is open and the car is in the shade. The temperature inside the car rises very quickly, which leads to heatstroke and, as a consequence, death. Even 5 minutes in such car conditions can endanger your dog’s health and life.
Remember, if you see a vehicle in a car park with animals inside and you have reason to believe that they are in danger, react immediately. Call the emergency number and inform the operator of the situation. Time is of the essence, so if officers cannot arrive within a few minutes, you may be asked to break a window in the car to save the animals’ lives.
Motion sickness in dogs
It affects not only humans but also dogs. Some dogs do not tolerate car journeys well. They drool, are restless (yawn) and have difficulty breathing. They may also feel nauseous and have a vomiting reflex. Therefore, do not feed your dog for several hours before a trip.
Rapid braking or driving on uneven surfaces can exacerbate the symptoms, making the dog feel worse, but unfortunately, roads do not always allow for steady driving. It is also very important to get your pet used to drive a car well in advance. This is especially important if you are planning a long journey and want to take your four-legged friend with you.
Never give your dog medication designed for people with motion sickness on its own. Any medicine or dietary supplement you want to give your pet should be consulted with your veterinarian. You need to know that what works in humans can be toxic to animals. In addition, human adult medicines are dosed for people of average body weight (usually 70 kg), which is much heavier than a medium or large-breed dog. Too high a dose of some drugs can cause adverse reactions in animals.
