Traveling with pets

Pets are often already part of the family. There are many reasons to take them for a drive, but it's always important to ensure their safety, ours and that of the road in general.

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One of the most frequent reasons for taking a pet is to go to the vet, which often leads them to associate motoring with something negative and makes them nervous and anxious.

Although pets are considered "cargo" by law, there are some special precautions to be taken when transporting them to ensure everyone's safety. The reactions of these animals are unpredictable and can influence the driving task, which can result in accidents. To prevent this from happening, they should be transported in vehicles and containers appropriate to the species and number of animals, always taking into account space, ventilation, temperature, safety and water supply.

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In Portugal, if you don't respect the rules and, for example, travel with your dog or cat loose in the car, the fine can vary between 60€ and 600€. If you are traveling to another country, check the rules there, as they may be different.

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Here are three options for transporting your pet:

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Carrier box: This can be the safest way to transport your pet. There are several models on sale, some of which are very affordable. To ensure total protection for your pets, you can opt for a crate with a rigid structure, which makes it easier to fasten with a seat belt;

Seat belt: this is a device that attaches to the animal's chest on one side and fits into the seat belt mechanism on the other. This way you can have a more relaxed journey, without your pet bothering you, and your pet can travel more freely because it's not locked up in a box;

Net, grid or grate: widely used for large animals, it consists of a partition, usually between the rear seats and the trunk. It's not as effective as the previous options, but in some situations it may be the only solution.

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Remember to take your pet's vaccination record and animal registration with you whenever you go out with your pet.

To make the whole process easier, you can take a few precautions, such as paying attention to food, as it can get sick during the trip, walking your pet beforehand to burn off energy, taking familiar objects with you in the car to control anxiety, making regular stops and avoiding open windows. If you know in advance that you're going on a long journey, ask your vet for advice, as there are natural calming options that can be recommended.

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Source: controlauto.pt

Translated with DeepL.com