Traveling with pets: How to take your pet on the road for hours

Spain is a country that loves its pets. Since the 2020 pandemic, the number of pets has multiplied considerably, exceeding nine million dogs, six million cats, eight million fish, and five million birds: 38% more than in the last three years.

To meet the demands of these owners, it's becoming increasingly common to find pet-friendly tourist destinations, restaurants, and hotels where pets are welcome. Some establishments even offer pet-specific menus, just like guests. They're easy to find on planes and trains, but cars are the predominant option for traveling with pets, and 82% of dogs and cats traveling do so in a vehicle. Ultimately, this is what allows travelers the most freedom, both in choosing their destination, their time, and the way they travel with pets.

For this summer, the General Directorate of Traffic has announced that it expects a record number of long-distance trips on Spanish roads, exceeding 100 million. This means that a significant portion of these trips will be made with pets, and that surveillance measures will be strengthened, meaning that an animal being handled incorrectly could result in substantial fines.

According to RACE data, one in five drivers transports their pets without any type of restraint system. Of those who do, 87% use restraint systems, 11% carry their dog in the trunk—but loose and without a net separating it from the passenger compartment—and 1% carry the animal in a passenger's arms. The latter and having no restraint system are practically the same thing.

It's important to consider the physics of a traffic accident, in which several opposing forces collide. An unsecured object's mass increases with speed, and in a 50 km/h accident, this increases by 35 times. That is, a small, 10-kilogram dog becomes a 350-kilogram body that is thrown forward and can cause fatal injuries to the occupants.

Although the vast majority of drivers (91%) agree that transporting animals unrestrained in the passenger compartment is dangerous, more than half of them do not do so correctly, according to the DGT.

There are several animal restraint systems, which vary depending on the size and weight of the animal. The most common is the safety harness, which is anchored to the car using the seat belt attachment or the Isofix anchors on the seats. According to RACE, single-attachment options are not recommended because they are fragile and their carabiner could break, especially for dogs weighing more than 20 kilos. Those with double attachments are preferable, as they are more resistant and distribute the forces better in the event of an accident. These systems should always be used with a harness and not with a collar, as this could cause serious damage to the animal's spine or neck.

Another restraint system, more suitable for larger animals, is the dividing grid. This is an option for vehicles with large trunks, whether SUVs or station wagons, and prevents the dog from accessing the passenger compartment and disturbing the driver. The problem with this system is that, in the event of a collision, the pet is unrestrained and would hit the interior. The safest ones are those that fit from the car roof to the trunk floor and comply with the DIN 75410 standard.

Finally, the other option for securing a pet indoors is a carrier. The important thing here is to invest in a quality one that fits your pet's size. Buying one made of poor-quality plastic can cause it to break in the event of an accident, something that can also happen if it's secured with the seat belt.

The proper position for a carrier in a car is on the floor, between the front and rear seats. This is usually done for smaller pets, who can fit in this position. For larger animals, the ideal position is in the trunk, facing away from the direction of travel.

The DGT points out, however, that the trunk can be a dangerous place due to the designed compression zones, where a car deforms its structure to absorb impacts.

Once you've chosen the right pet restraint system, it's a good idea to keep in mind some practical tips when traveling with your pet.

Animals are prone to road sickness, so it's best to avoid feeding them—or even large amounts—before setting off to prevent vomiting. Ideally, they should have been accustomed to traveling in the car since they were puppies so they can handle it better. Cats benefit from having their carrier covered, like a bird. In any case, a veterinarian can give them a sedative or antiemetic to make the trip more bearable.

It's recommended to stop every two hours so the animals can walk and relieve themselves before returning to the road. It's also important to keep them on a leash to prevent them from darting off and posing a risk to other vehicles.

When it comes to cabin cleanliness, hair and vomit are two possibilities to consider when traveling with pets. The most effective way to keep the upholstery clean is to equip the area where the animal will be with an easy-to-clean or remove cover. Following these tips will ensure you arrive at your destination safe and clean.