Travelling with companion animals - by car, plane, ferry and train - presents welfare challenges that can be minimised with preparation, appropriate equipment and welfare-conscious planning.
Travel welfare for companion animals is shaped by three overlapping concerns: the physiological stress of movement and unfamiliar stimulation, the safety risks of improper restraint, and the physical discomfort of inappropriate crating or accommodation. Motion sickness is underrecognised because dogs often do not vomit (the most obvious sign) but show anxiety, drooling and restlessness that owners may attribute to excitement rather than nausea. Safe car travel for dogs requires crash-tested restraint systems - fashionable but unrated harnesses provide no crash protection. Air travel in cargo is a significant welfare concern; where possible, approved cabin carriage is preferable for small animals.