Traveling with a dog in the car - this applies

Are you thinking about taking your dog on a driving holiday? Before you get in the car, however, there are some rules you should know.

Interest in getting a dog has increased explosively, statistics from the Swedish Kennel Club and the Swedish Agency for Agriculture show. Here are tips for the trip!

Sudden braking, changing temperatures and too long periods in the car can quickly turn the transport into a stressful moment for the dog. But by planning and preparing for as comfortable and safe a car journey as possible, you increase the chances of a positive car experience - also for your four-legged traveller.

As a dog owner, you should think about this:

1. Protect the dog from injury

By either using a transport cage adapted to the dog's size, a load grid or a dog-adapted safety belt, you protect the dog from injury when braking. If you use a transport cage, it must be designed and placed in a way that gives the dog both shade and good ventilation. You can also choose to transport the dog in the car's combi compartment, provided that you have good supervision over the animal throughout the journey and that there is no luggage or other loose objects that are at risk of falling and causing damage.

2. Take regular pee and water breaks

Taking into account our own needs during the car journey is one thing - but it is much more difficult for the dog to communicate when he is hungry, thirsty or in need of a pee. The requirement is to rest the dog and give it water at least every 6 hours during the car journey, as well as food no more than 24 hours apart. The dog must not be kept in the car for more than three hours straight when it is stationary.

3. Help your dog avoid motion sickness

A dog that is sick must not be transported by car (the exception is if you urgently need to take it to the vet). However, there are many dogs who get motion sickness during the journey - and even then there are some things to think about. Make sure the dog has access to liquid, but avoid feeding it a few hours before departure. Keep the temperature in the car cool and rest the dog often. Avoid curvy and bumpy roads if possible. You can also ask your vet to recommend a stress-relieving scent pheromone to keep in the car, or a special dietary supplement with a calming effect.

4. Never leave the dog in a hot or cold car

Most people today know that a parked car in the sun quickly turns into a death trap for the dog. But dogs can also suffer from the cold in a car, and the temperature can drop just as quickly in minus degrees as it rises in plus degrees. The limited space in a car prevents the dog from keeping warm by moving around and the condensation quickly makes the air in the car damp and raw.

An animal must never be left unattended in the car if it is possible for the temperature inside the car to exceed +25°C or below -5°C. To stay within those limits, it is not enough to park in the shade or leave the window slightly open.