Stress Free Travel with Your Dog: Safe & Legal Tips 2025

Travel can be a joyful experience for both dog and owner, but it also requires careful planning to ensure safety and reduce stress. Whether your dog eagerly jumps into the car or feels anxious, this guide shares practical, up-to-date advice to support stress-free travel with your dog across the UK in 2025.

1. Preparing Your Dog Before the Journey

1. Plan vehicle trips wisely. A good walk before travelling allows your dog to relieve itself and expend excess energy, helping it relax during the journey.
2. Avoid feeding your dog within two hours of travel to reduce the risk of motion sickness. For dogs prone to car sickness, consult your vet to discuss medication options well in advance.
3. Carry fresh water, bedding, poo bags, leads, and favourite treats to keep your dog comfortable and hydrated en route.
4. Consider using Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) products, such as calming sprays or collars, to ease your dog's anxiety. Adding an item with your scent, like a worn T-shirt, can also provide reassurance.
5. Regular health and microchip checks are essential. Ensure your dog is microchipped and information registered is current. Proper identification tags on collars with your full address and contact details comply with legal requirements stated in the Control of Dogs Order 1992.

2. Preparing Your Vehicle

1. If your dog is sitting in the front passenger seat, disable the airbag to prevent injury during impact.
2. Under UK law (Rule 57 of the Highway Code), your dog must be suitably restrained during travel using a seatbelt harness, dog carrier, crate, or dog guard. Not restraining your dog is a legal offence that may result in heavy fines, penalty points, and invalidated car insurance.
3. Choose the right restraint method:
   • Seatbelt harnesses: Ensure correct size and comfort. Familiarise your dog with the harness well before the journey by trying short trips.
   • Dog crates: If your dog uses a crate at home, a travel crate secured firmly in the vehicle can reduce travel stress.
   • Dog guards: Ideal for larger dogs, dog guards in the boot compartment give space to sit or lie down comfortably and prevent driver distraction.
4. Keep the vehicle well ventilated but avoid letting your dog hang its head out of the window due to risks from debris or sudden movements.

3. During the Journey

1. Drive cautiously and slower than usual, imagining you have a precious passenger onboard, because you do.
2. Allow plenty of travel time and avoid rushing to keep the atmosphere calm.
3. Keep the cabin temperature comfortable using air conditioning or slightly open windows, and consider sunshades to reduce glare.
4. Speak softly, keep music low, and manage your own stress; dogs are sensitive to their owner's mood.
5. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours for bathroom stops, water intake, and leg stretching for both you and your dog.
6. Never leave your dog unattended in a parked vehicle, particularly in warm weather, to avoid heatstroke risks and distress.

4. Understanding Legal Requirements for Travelling with Your Dog

In 2025, the UK has strict legal rules to protect your dog and other road users:

• Dogs must be clearly identifiable by microchip and collar ID tags with owner details.
• Suitably restraining dogs in vehicles is mandatory to avoid distractions and injuries.
• Restraining options include seatbelt harnesses, crates, or dog guards installed properly.
• The Control of Dogs Order 1992 requires visible name and address on the dog’s collar in public places.
• Failure to comply may result in fines up to £2,500, penalty points, or even invalid insurance in case of accidents.

5. Additional Considerations for Travel Insurance

Should your dog escape and cause injury or damage, uninsured owners could face liability costs. Many pet insurance plans include third-party liability coverage, but it is wise to verify this with your insurer or consider separate third-party insurance. For example, membership to organisations such as Dogs Trust offers annual third-party liability insurance at a reasonable cost.

6. Final Tips for Stress-Free Travel

• Test your dog’s travel equipment and acclimatise it to car rides in advance.
• Maintain up-to-date vaccinations and health checks before trips.
• Always have emergency veterinary contacts along your route.
• Be patient and observe your dog’s behaviour to adjust travel plans if necessary.

By following these essential guidelines, you can ensure that travelling with your dog in 2025 is safe, enjoyable, and legally compliant. A well-prepared journey enriches your experience and your furry friend's well-being.