Summer is finally here — and if you are a dog owner in the UK, that means one thing above all else: adventures. Weekend breaks in the Lake District, beach days in Cornwall, road trips through the Scottish Highlands. Britain has some of the most dog-friendly countryside in the world, and summer is the perfect time to explore it together. See our Summer Pet Car tips.
Travel with Your Dog in the UK This Summer
But travelling with a dog requires more preparation than most people realise. From UK car safety laws that many owners are unknowingly breaking to the right kit for keeping your dog comfortable on long journeys — a little planning makes all the difference between a brilliant trip and a stressful one.
Here are seven essential tips every UK dog owner should follow before hitting the road this summer.
Tip 1 — Restrain your dog in the car. It is the law, and the fine is steep.
This is the one most dog owners do not know about — or know about and ignore, which is even more concerning.
The Highway Code, under Rule 57, states that dogs or other animals must be suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving, or injure you or themselves if you stop quickly.
Ignoring this can result in a fine of up to £5,000, points on your licence, and even a court appearance. If your dog is found to have caused or contributed to an accident, your car insurance could be invalidated.
Acceptable restraints include a dog seat belt harness that attaches to the vehicle’s seat belt, a dog crate or carrier, or a dog guard that separates the back seat from the boot.
A booster seat with a built-in safety tether is ideal for small to medium dogs — it keeps them secure, elevated so they can see out of the window, and away from the footwells where they could interfere with the pedals. Our dog car seat range includes adjustable booster seats, safety seat belt clips, and full pet car seats for dogs of all sizes.
Our top pick from the store: Washable Booster Pet Car Seat with Safety Belt — padded, machine-washable, and fully compliant with Highway Code Rule 57.
Tip 2 — Protect your car seats before your first muddy dog gets in
If you have a dog, you already know that car seats take a beating. Muddy paws, wet fur, drool, and the occasional accident — it adds up fast, and replacing or deep-cleaning car upholstery is expensive.
A waterproof car seat cover is one of the smartest purchases any UK dog owner can make before summer. The best ones cover the entire back seat and boot area, are non-slip on both sides, and can be wiped clean or put in the washing machine after a muddy walk.
Look for a cover with side flaps that hook over the headrests — this protects the door panels too, which is where most scratching damage happens when dogs jump in and out. Our waterproof car seat covers are universal fit and designed specifically for UK car interiors.
Our top pick: Universal Waterproof Dog Car Seat Cover for Back Seat — non-slip backing, waterproof inner layer, fits most UK cars, SUVs and estates.
Tip 3 — Bring water and a portable bowl on every journey
Dogs can dehydrate quickly in summer, especially in a warm car. Unlike humans, dogs cannot sweat — they cool themselves by panting, which loses fluid fast. On a hot UK day, a dog in a parked car can overheat fatally in under 20 minutes, even with the windows cracked.
The simple rule: bring more water than you think you will need. A foldable silicone travel bowl weighs almost nothing and can be clipped to a bag or lead. Our portable pet bowls collapse flat and pop open in seconds — ideal for car park pit stops and trail breaks.
Stop every 2 hours on a long journey, give your dog 5–10 minutes out of the car, and offer fresh water each time. Never leave your dog in a parked car in summer, even briefly.
Tip 4 — Plan your route around your dog, not just your sat-nav
This sounds obvious, but most dog owners plan their route for humans and add the dog as an afterthought. Instead, start by checking where you can stop safely with a dog.
A few things to look up before you leave:
- Dog-friendly service stations: most major UK motorway services are dog-friendly in outdoor areas. Moto and Roadchef both have designated dog walking areas.
- Dog-friendly pubs and cafés at your destination: apps like Doggo and BringFido are great for UK dog-friendly venues.
- Beach restrictions: many UK beaches have dog bans in summer between certain hours (typically 10am–6pm). Always check before you drive three hours to find your dog is not welcome.
The Dogs Trust has excellent resources for planning dog-friendly UK travel, including what to do if your dog gets into difficulty away from home.
Tip 5 — Never leave your dog in a parked car in summer
This deserves its own tip because it still causes dozens of dog deaths every summer in the UK, despite being widely publicised.
On a 22°C day — completely normal for a UK summer — the temperature inside a parked car can reach 47°C within an hour. At 47°C, a dog can suffer fatal heatstroke in minutes.
There is no safe version of “just popping in for five minutes.” If you cannot take your dog with you, leave them at home. If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, call 999 — the RSPCA advises this is a genuine emergency.
If your dog shows signs of heatstroke — heavy panting, drooling, glazed eyes, vomiting — move them to shade immediately, apply cool (not cold) water to their body, and get to a vet as fast as possible.
Tip 6 — Keep anxious dogs calm with the right setup
Car anxiety is more common than most people realise. Around 1 in 5 dogs shows some degree of travel anxiety, ranging from panting and pacing to severe distress and vomiting.
For smaller or more anxious dogs, padded dog booster seats allow your pet to see out of the window, which is proven to reduce motion sickness and travel stress. Sell The Trend
A few things that genuinely help anxious dogs in the car:
- Familiar smells: put their favourite blanket or a worn piece of your clothing in their seat
- A high position: dogs that can see out of the window are significantly less likely to experience motion sickness
- Routine: dogs that travel regularly from a young age almost always become confident passengers
If anxiety is severe, speak to your vet before a long trip. Some dogs benefit from short-term medication for long journeys. Our dog beds and calming range includes washable travel bed pads that can go straight into the car seat to give your dog a familiar, comfortable surface.
Tip 7 — Pack a dog travel kit the night before
The morning of a trip is not the time to be hunting for leads, bowls, and poo bags. Pack a dedicated dog travel bag the evening before, and keep the key items in it permanently so it is always ready.
Essential UK dog travel kit:
- ✅ Collapsible water bowl and a full water bottle
- ✅ Lead and spare lead (leads get lost or snap at the worst moments)
- ✅ Poo bags — more than you think you need
- ✅ Dog’s regular food plus a few treats for positive reinforcement
- ✅ A towel for drying muddy paws before getting in the car
- ✅ First aid basics: tick remover, wound spray, bandage
- ✅ Your dog’s vaccination record or pet passport if crossing into Scotland/Wales for camping
- ✅ Your vet’s out-of-hours number saved in your phone
All the travel essentials above — leads, bowls, seat covers, booster seats, safety belts — are available in one place at our dog travel accessories range, with free UK delivery on orders over £15.
Ready to hit the road?
Summer travel with your dog should be one of the highlights of the year — not a source of stress. Get the right kit sorted before you leave, follow the Highway Code rules, and plan your route with your dog’s needs in mind.
Browse our full dog travel accessories collection for everything you need, from waterproof seat covers and safety harnesses to portable bowls and retractable leads. Any questions about what to get for your dog’s size or your car type? Drop us a message — we reply within 24 hours.
For more dog care guides, visit the Affordium blog — new posts every week for UK dog and cat owners.
