“I am a veterinarian and this is what you should do to get your dog or cat used to traveling in the car”

We make more and more plans with our pets and going on vacation was not going to be an exception. For many, the proximity of summer invites them to search for pet-friendly accommodation or dog beaches, but also to make the appropriate modifications to their vehicle to transport their faithful companion safely. However, traveling with pets in the car also implies guaranteeing the fulfillment of all their physiological and ethological needs, an explicit issue in the recent Animal Welfare Law.

Article 18 of the General Traffic Regulations refers to the driver’s obligation to guarantee the proper placement of the transported animals to guarantee their own safety, that of the vehicle’s occupants and that of other road users. That is why the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) urges you to choose between restraint systems such as carriers, harnesses or dividing grids, depending on the size and type of the animal.

Under these regulations, carrying a pet loose in the passenger compartment implies a serious risk for both the animal itself and the occupants. “Collisions can cause very severe trauma to animals and even to the passengers of the vehicle. Depending on the speed, they can cause irreparable damage,” says Diana Vega, a veterinarian with more than a decade of experience. This practice can lead to a fine of up to 100 euros.

Likewise, each restraint system reports its own standards. The carriers must be placed on the floor of the vehicle or in the trunk, in a transverse position to the vehicle. For this last case, the DGT recommends reinforcing retention with a dividing grid that separates the animal from the other packages in the trunk. “The smaller the free space between the carrier and the rest of the vehicle’s load, the less impact the animal will suffer in the event of collusion,” argues Vega, owner of the Animalia SerVet veterinary clinic in Ponferrada.

Regarding harnesses, the number of attachments to the seat belt – one or two – and the length of the anchorage – a short connection system is preferable – are some determining aspects. “There are ways to transport them that minimize the trauma they may suffer in the event of a collision or braking,” says this veterinarian, who invites you to consider the different types of harnesses, but “never” collar-type restraints.

When it comes to training a pet to travel in the car calmly, accustoming them from puppyhood is a tactic that will have a positive impact on their behavior. “You have to work from home, from less to more, gradually and always with positive reinforcement,” explains Diana Vega. For example, if we want our pet to feel comfortable in the carrier, “we will first have to teach him to get into it. We can use reinforcements such as food, toys or caresses to normalize it and see it as a pleasant place,” he adds.

This veterinarian also recommends taking short trips with our pet and little by little “increasing the duration depending on their response.” The behavior of the animal thus becomes a decisive factor when choosing a carrier or harness. “Several factors apart from size influence this decision, as it may be nervous or need contact with guardians,” concludes Vega, although he clarifies “we always recommend that cats travel in a carrier and be covered so that they are more relaxed.” .

Beyond safety issues, the Animal Welfare Law urges drivers in its article 59 to provide pets with water, food and rest periods appropriate to their species and size. “Stops should be made every 3 hours so the dogs can relieve themselves and drink some water. In the case of cats, it is recommended to carry pads in case they urinate or defecate in the carrier,” advises the veterinarian.

Meal planning is even more important in the event that your pet becomes motion sick. “We recommend that they eat a small portion of wet food, easy to digest, 2 or 3 hours before departure and that they relieve themselves 15 minutes before, so that they travel on an empty stomach,” explains Vega and adds, “if we cannot “To get used to it, there are products that minimize the anxiety and fear that these trips cause, although each case must be evaluated with a trusted veterinary clinic.”

Regarding the necessary documentation to travel with animals, this veterinarian recommends carrying at least a “microchip, health card, rabies vaccination and up-to-date deworming.” When traveling outside the European Union, pet owners must inform themselves “2 or 3 months in advance” of other requirements they may need.