Travelling with Your Pet This Summer: What Every Owner Needs to Know

With the warmer months approaching, more of us are hitting the road with our pets in tow. Whether it's a vet trip with your rabbit or a day out with the dog, a little preparation goes a long way. Here's what you need to know for dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs.

Dogs: Restrain, Refresh, and Never Leave Them Alone

Under Rule 57 of the Highway Code, dogs must be suitably restrained in a vehicle, using a crash-tested harness, a secure crate, or a boot guard. Never attach a seatbelt directly to a collar.

On longer journeys, take a break every one and a half to two hours, offer water regularly, and travel during the cooler parts of the day in warm weather - early morning or evening is best. Remember that the back of the car can heat up far quicker than the front.

Most importantly: never leave your dog in a parked car. According to the PDSA, animals in hot vehicles can be in serious distress - and in some cases die - in as little as 20 minutes. If you suspect heatstroke (heavy panting, drooling, red or pale gums, loss of coordination), cool your dog with cold water and contact us immediately. If you see a dog in distress in a car, call 999.

Cats: Keep It Calm and Contained

Cats Protection recommends only travelling with cats when truly necessary - they're territorial animals and find unfamiliar environments very stressful. When you do need to travel, use a sturdy, well-ventilated hard-sided carrier secured on the back seat with a seatbelt. Line it with familiar bedding and avoid feeding your cat for a couple of hours beforehand to reduce motion sickness. A pheromone spray such as Feliway, applied 15 minutes before travel, can help take the edge off.

Rabbits and Guinea Pigs: Small Pets, Serious Risks

Both rabbits and guinea pigs are prey animals that find travel genuinely stressful, so only travel when necessary. The RSPCA advises using a sturdy, ventilated carrier lined with familiar bedding and hay, partially covered with a towel to help them feel secure. Always transport bonded companions together as separation adds stress and can cause problems on reintroduction.

Crucially, both species are highly vulnerable to overheating. The BVA notes that guinea pigs and rabbits cannot sweat or pant to cool down. Keep the car well ventilated, avoid direct sunlight through windows, and never leave them in a stationary vehicle.

Not Sure if Your Pet Is Fit to Travel?

Always speak to us before any long journey, particularly if your pet is elderly, pregnant, or managing a health condition. Our teams at Oldbury, Harborne and Wednesbury are happy to help - whether that's pre-travel advice or urgent support along the way.

Most cats are not natural travellers. As territorial animals, they find comfort in familiarity and a moving vehicle, full of unfamiliar sights, sounds and smells, is the opposite of that. Cats Protection recommends only taking your cat on a journey if it is truly necessary, such as for a vet visit or a house move.

When you do need to travel with your cat, preparation makes a real difference.

Choosing the right carrier

A sturdy, hard-sided plastic carrier is the safest choice. It should be large enough for your cat to sit, stand and lie down comfortably, but not so large that they slide around during braking. Ensure the carrier has secure latches and good ventilation, with no sharp edges or faulty fastenings.

Place familiar-smelling bedding inside the carrier in advance, and if possible, leave the carrier out at home with the door open so your cat can explore it in their own time. Many cats associate the carrier with stress simply because it only appears when travel is imminent. Making it part of the furniture can help to reduce that anxiety over time.

A synthetic feline pheromone spray such as Feliway, applied inside the carrier approximately 15–30 minutes before travel, may also help to reduce anxiety.

During the journey

Secure the carrier on the back seat using a seatbelt. Never place it on the front seat, where airbag deployment poses a serious risk. Keep the car cool and drive smoothly, avoiding sudden braking or acceleration. A light blanket draped over part of the carrier can help your cat feel more concealed and secure - just make sure ventilation isn't compromised.

Don't feed your cat for a few hours before travel to reduce the risk of motion sickness. For longer journeys, aim to take a break every two to four hours to check on your cat and offer water.

If your cat becomes very distressed during journeys, speak to your vet. There are options to help, including prescription calming medication for particularly anxious cats.

Rabbits on the Move: Minimise Stress, Maximise Safety

The RSPCA recommends only transporting rabbits when absolutely necessary, and choosing a vet close to home to keep journey times as short as possible.

The right carrier and how to use it

Use a sturdy, non-collapsible, well-ventilated carrier that your rabbit cannot easily chew through or escape from - cardboard boxes are not suitable. The carrier should be large enough for your rabbit to sit and turn around, but small enough to feel secure.

Line the carrier with familiar, unsoiled bedding and add some hay for them to eat. A small hiding space, such as a cardboard tube or box within the carrier, or a partially draped towel can help your rabbit feel safer, especially as rabbits instinctively seek shelter from perceived predators.

Secure the carrier with a seatbelt on the back seat. Never place the carrier in the boot.

Rabbits and companions

If your rabbit lives with a bonded companion, always transport them together. Separation causes significant stress, and rabbits returned home smelling different can sometimes trigger aggression from their bonded partner. If only one rabbit needs to see the vet, bring the other along too.

Rabbits and heat

Rabbits are extremely vulnerable to overheating. Avoid travelling during the hottest parts of the day, and keep the vehicle cool and well ventilated. Signs of heatstroke in rabbits include drooling, lethargy, rapid shallow breathing, red or warm ears, and in severe cases, seizures. If you're concerned, contact us immediately.

Provide hay in the carrier for your rabbit to eat throughout the journey. On longer trips, offer water during breaks. Be cautious with water bottles attached to carriers during travel, as a sudden stop could result in the spout injuring your rabbit's eye. Leafy greens and cucumber are a safer way to keep them hydrated on the move.

Guinea Pigs: Small Pets, Big Needs

Like rabbits, guinea pigs are prey animals that can find travel extremely stressful. The RSPCA notes that guinea pigs are highly sensitive to temperature changes: temperatures above 26°C can cause heatstroke, while temperatures below 15°C can cause them to become chilled. This makes managing the car environment particularly important.

Carrier set-up

Use a secure, ventilated carrier and line it with newspaper and a generous layer of soft hay. Hay provides comfort, absorbs moisture, and gives your guinea pigs something familiar to nibble. Include some used (unsoiled) bedding so the carrier smells like home, and add a small hide or cardboard tube for security.

If travelling with multiple guinea pigs who live together, transport them together. A familiar companion reduces stress and avoids complications with reintroduction afterwards.

Feeding and hydration

Feed your guinea pigs well before the journey, as many are reluctant to eat or drink while on the move. A piece of cucumber or fresh greens makes an excellent on-the-go hydration source during longer trips. Plan regular stops to check on them, offer food and water, and ensure they're not overheating.

Avoid exposing guinea pigs to direct sunlight through car windows, and be aware that on warm days, even a few minutes in a stationary car can cause their temperature to rise dangerously.

General Tips for All Pets

• Never leave any pet unattended in a parked car, regardless of the weather or how briefly you plan to be away
• Withhold food for a couple of hours before travel to reduce the risk of motion sickness - this applies to dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs
• Carry fresh water and offer it at every break
• Travel during cooler parts of the day in warm weather, such as early morning or evening
• Choose the most direct route to minimise journey time and stress
• Speak to your vet before any long journey, particularly for elderly, pregnant, or health-compromised pets

When to Call Us

If your pet shows signs of heatstroke, significant distress, or is unwell following a journey, contact us as quickly as possible. At Orchard Vets, our teams across Oldbury, Harborne and Wednesbury are here to help, whether it's a routine check before a long trip or urgent advice when something doesn't seem right.

You can also find guidance on keeping your pet safe in warm weather in our summer pet safety blog posts, or learn more about recognising signs of stress in small animals.

Information in this blog has been drawn from guidance provided by the PDSA, RSPCA, Cats Protection, British Veterinary Association, Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, and the Kennel Club. If you have specific concerns about your pet's health or suitability for travel, please contact us  for personalised advice.