Companion Animal Travel and Transport: Welfare During Journeys

Travelling with companion animals - by car, train, plane, or boat - presents specific welfare challenges requiring careful preparation and attention to animal stress.

Key Facts

Motion sickness affects approximately 17% of dogs and a significant proportion of cats during car travel
Dogs should be secured during car travel - both for safety and to prevent stress from unrestrained movement
Air travel is stressful for all animals; cargo hold transport carries higher risk than in-cabin travel
Short-faced (brachycephalic) breeds are at higher risk of respiratory distress during air travel
Microchipping is required for EU travel with pets; rabies vaccination titres needed for some destinations
Cats and rabbits experience higher stress from car journeys than dogs in most studies
Familiarisation with carriers well in advance of travel significantly reduces transport stress

Welfare Considerations

Companion animal transport welfare requires pre-journey preparation, appropriate containment, and attention to signs of stress during travel. Animals that have been gradually familiarised with their carrier and have had short positive car journeys experience less distress than animals whose only experience of travel is the annual vet visit. For air travel, research carrier policies and breed restrictions carefully before booking - brachycephalic breeds face real health risks from air travel that should inform the decision to travel at all. The most welfare-appropriate choice is sometimes to board an animal rather than travel with it.

What You Can Do

Familiarise cats and dogs with their carrier or crate weeks before any journey
Use pheromone sprays (Adaptil for dogs, Feliway for cats) in carriers to reduce travel stress
Secure dogs in cars using crash-tested harnesses or crates rather than loose in vehicles
Consult your vet about motion sickness medication if your animal is consistently distressed during travel
Research breed-specific air travel restrictions before booking any flight with a companion animal