Thursday, 7 August 2025, 08:05
Spain is a country that loves its pets. Since the 2020 pandemic, the number of companion animals has significantly increased, surpassing nine million dogs, six million cats, eight million fish, and five million birds: a 38% rise over the last three years.
To meet the demand of these pet owners, it is increasingly common to find pet-friendly tourist destinations, restaurants, and hotels where furry friends are welcome. Some establishments even offer specific menus for pets, treating them as another guest. While it’s easy to find them on planes and trains, cars remain the predominant choice for travelling with animals, with 82% of dogs and cats travelling by vehicle. After all, it offers users the most freedom to choose their destination, timing, and way of travelling with animals.
This summer, the General Directorate of Traffic has indicated that it expects a record number of long-distance journeys on Spanish roads, exceeding 100 million trips. This means a considerable portion will be made with pets, and surveillance measures will be reinforced, as improperly securing an animal could result in significant fines.
According to RACE data, one in five drivers transports their pets without any protection system. Of those who do, 87% use restraint systems, 11% place the dog in the trunk – but loose and without a separation net from the cabin – and 1% hold the animal in a passenger’s arms. The latter and having no system are practically the same.
It’s important to consider the physics of a traffic accident, where various opposing forces clash. An unsecured object increases its mass with speed, and in a 50 km/h accident, this is multiplied by 35. That is, a small dog weighing 10 kilos becomes a 350-kilo projectile that can cause fatal injuries to occupants.
Although the vast majority of drivers (91%) agree that transporting animals unsecured in the cabin is dangerous, more than half do not do it correctly, according to the DGT.
There are several animal restraint systems, varying according to the size and weight of the animal. The most widespread is the safety harness, which is anchored to the car through the seatbelt buckle or the Isofix of the seats. According to RACE, single-attachment options are not recommended because they are fragile, and their carabiner could break, especially with dogs weighing over 20 kilos. Double-attachment systems are preferable as they are more resistant and better distribute forces in an accident. These systems should always be used with a harness and not a collar, as the latter could cause severe 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 family cars, and prevents the dog from accessing the cabin to disturb the driver. The problem with this system is that in the event of a collision, the pet is not secured and would suffer blows against the interior. The safest are those that adjust from the car’s roof to the trunk floor and comply with DIN 75410 standards.
Finally, another option for securing a pet inside is a carrier. Here, it’s important to invest in a quality one that fits the size of your pet. Buying a cheap plastic one can cause it to break in an accident, something that can also happen if it’s secured with a seatbelt.
The proper position for a carrier in the car is on the floor, between the front and rear seats. This is usually done with smaller pets that fit in this position. For larger animals, it’s ideal to place it in the trunk, transversely to the direction of travel.
However, the DGT points out that the trunk can be a dangerous place due to the designed compression zones, where a car deforms its structure to absorb impacts.
Travelling with Dogs
Once we have chosen the appropriate restraint system for the pet, it’s advisable to consider some practical tips when travelling with them.
Animals are prone to motion sickness on the road, so it’s best to avoid feeding them – or giving them a large amount – before setting off to prevent vomiting. Ideally, they should be accustomed to travelling by car since they were puppies to better tolerate it. Cats benefit from having the carrier covered, as if they were a bird. In any case, a veterinarian can provide a sedative or antiemetics to make the journey more bearable.
It’s recommended to make stops every two hours so that animals can take a walk and relieve themselves before hitting the road again. Here, it’s also important to keep them on a leash to prevent them from running off and posing a risk to other cars.
Regarding the cleanliness of the cabin, hair and vomit are two possibilities to consider when travelling 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 removable cover. Following these tips will ensure you arrive at your destination healthy and clean.
