Pet themes 2009
Bon voyage!
Cats should stay in a secure transport box when travelling by car, on holiday with their owners. This is a practical way to travel provided that they are used to it – your cat needs to have learnt that the box is a safe place and the journey shouldn’t be too long. Under no circumstances should cats clamber about freely in the car – the risk of accident is too great.
Many dogs love to travel by car. The car becomes a kind of territory on wheels if they have done this regularly as a puppy.
There are a variety of legal provisions for transporting dogs in cars, e.g., animals may not travel unsecured in the passenger area, otherwise you risk a fine.
Canines don’t belong on the front passenger seat and must be restrained with dog safety belts or sat in a secure transport box on the back seat. They are only allowed to travel in the boot of an estate car when there is a stable partition separating it from the passenger area. Transport boxes ensure greater safety in the boot too.
Dogs that don’t travel so well by car have to gradually get used to it several weeks before going on holiday. At best, take them for a daily drive for as long as they feel comfortable, slightly increasing the distance every day.
You can use calming pheromones (scents) to support this training.
Birds and rodents are prone to stress and should never be taken on long car journeys. The drive to boarding facilities should be the longest trip they take. These small animals are also particularly sensitive when exposed to cold or warm temperatures.
The following rules apply to all animals travelling by car so that they survive the journey with no ill-effects to their health:
Protect your animal from the sun during the journey with roller blinds or sun screens
Never leave an animal in a parked car on a sunny day, even for a few minutes
Take plenty of drinking water with you – collapsible travel bowls are very practical
Don't set the air conditioning too cold
Avoid draughts
Don’t smoke
Take a break every two hours to take your dog for a walk
With the right preparation, you will arrive at your holiday destination stress free.
Have a great trip!
