Travelling With Your Dog In Hot Weather: Road Trip Safety Tips
When you’re heading out this summer, be that to the park, on holiday or to see family, you’re certain to want to take your dog on the adventure with you.
We can’t blame you!
We all love dogs - especially at Roadchef, where dogs (especially good boys and girls!) are welcome in all our motorway service areas to rest, relax, drink water and stretch their paws.
But, as temperatures soar and the sun begins to shine, how can you keep your dog safe and comfortable on your journey and when you stop for that Roadchef break?
Let us help with our 24/7, dog-friendly motorway services to support you every mile of the way.
Why considering heat matters
Extremes of temperature can be dangerous for humans and, with thick fur and soft paw pads to consider, can be extremely dangerous for dogs too.
Heatstroke is the first thing to consider and is seriously life-threatening in dogs. When the dog's body temperature reaches over 40°C, heatstroke can occur.
Outside of the vehicle, overexertion and the risk of burns to paws on hot surfaces are key considerations when playing with your dog in our grassy walking areas or walking on tarmac areas.
It’s believed that tarmac (or asphalt for any American readers) can reach over 60°C above the air temperature, with direct sunlight heating up walkways. The best way to test is to put your bare hand on the tarmac for five seconds - if it’s too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your dog's paw.
And whilst playing is fun, make sure you don’t overdo it in hot weather. Grab you and your dog some water, some ice cream (look out for doggy ice cream in some of our stores), and find a nice bit of shade to relax for a few minutes.
Remember, do not leave your dog in a hot car, even with the window open. According to the RSPCA, "When it's 22 degrees Celsius outside, the car could reach an unbearable 47 degrees within an hour." There is more information here.
Your dog should be with you at all times to ensure maximum safety and comfort for your pooch.
Preparing your car for dog travel
Preparing for the long journey is crucial - especially with puppies or dogs that aren’t used to being in the car for long journeys.
Taking shorter journeys, gradually extending in time and distance, is important to get your dog used to the strange and unique sounds of driving. Imagine you have to do something you’ve never done before and then have to do it for three hours!
The PDSA have some great tips on how to train your dog in a hot car here.
Before you hit the road though, think about two things - temperature and safety.
If you’ve got a newer vehicle, including many modern EVs, pre-condition your vehicle to give your car a ‘cool’ before you get in. It might be our favourite technological car advancement!
But don’t worry, if your car doesn’t precondition, just crack open a few windows before you and your dog get in to remove the hotter, stuffier air. Due to the greenhouse effect in sealed cars, your vehicle will be hotter than the outside air.
When you’re ready to go, consider using sunshades to block UV rays and direct sunlight to slow down the heating process.
Legally, Rule 57 of the Highway code states:
“When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”
Consider purchasing a dog seat belt (available from good retailers from £6-£12) or a crate if your dog is high energy. A crate can be filled with items your dog is used to, ensuring that memorable scent and surroundings help to make your dog feel at home whilst on the move.
Packing the essentials
If water is the source of life, then drinking water should be scheduled into your and your dog’s journey.
Whilst humans need around 3L of water a day on average, with more needed if you’re exercising or sweating heavily, dogs need around 60ml per kg of their weight. The bigger the dog, the more water they’ll need.
Dogs should always have access to fresh water, and with a variety of non-spill water bowls currently available on the market, that’s easy to provide hydration to your furball.
Look out for panting, sunken eyes or excessive sleeping compared to normal - this might mean your pooch needs to take on some fluids.
Water, for both you and your pet, is available to purchase from all Roadchef outlets, whilst those with refillable bottles can get water for free, simply by asking a member of our team.
Why not consider purchasing additional clampable fans or cooling mats for that extra touch?
Cooling mats are great for providing a cool surface for your dog to rest on, whilst wicking away excess heat from your four-legged friend.
For those additional extras that you may have forgotten to pack, you can find all the essentials - food, water, treats, poo bags - are available at WHSmith and Roadchef & Co-op stores across the UK motorway.
Where to stop for a heat-safe break for your dog
With dog drinking bowls at all sites, great walking routes and a variety of outdoor shaded spots to take a break in, you’d be barking mad not to choose from 31 great Roadchef sites.
Every site boasts amenities for you and your dog, including award-winning toilet facilities (exclusively for human use, of course!), wonderful outdoors spaces (here’s looking at you, Killington Lake and Annandale Water) and places to blow off some steam.
If you’re looking to stay out of the sun or just need a night’s rest, Roadchef’s dog friendly hotels boast the latest air conditioning technology for a home-away-from-home that keeps you cool at a price that’s cool.
You can book your dog to stay in any of our 15 Days Inn by Wyndham hotels or the UK’s only pair of Super 8 by Wyndham hotels from just £15.
Look out for our dog treats at check-in desks.
Look out for heat-stress signs in your dog & what to do if they occur
You know your dog better than anyone else and spotting the signs of heatstroke and stress is your responsibility to keep our four-legged friends safe on a road trip.
Look out for excessive panting or drooling (or both) as this is a sign your dog is desperately trying to regular its body temperature.
Whilst your dog will be tired from the travelling, additional lethargy or apathy to treats, walks or your general presence can be a sign of issue.
If you spot any of these signs, find your nearest Roadchef immediately and settle your dog in an outdoor shaded area, carrying them to that location if the tarmac is too hot to walk on.
Find cool (not ice) water and ensure your dog drinks.
In absolute emergency cases call an emergency vet.
There's more great tips from the RSPCA here.
Away from heat stroke and heat-related issues, dogs can get car sick. Whilst puppies are most susceptible to car sickness due to their developing ear structure, older dogs can get car sick too.
Whilst this is often linked to fear - either due to a new experience or association with going to the vet - you can limit the effects of car sickness by introducing them to the car slowly or avoiding heavy meals before you hit the road.
It’s all about the added extras of the outfit
Whilst you can wear vests, shorts or light colours, dogs can dress for the occasion too.
You can purchase cooling jackets to give your pooch’s body a lower temperature, boots to wear for walking on tarmac (only recommended if absolutely necessary) or cooling bandanas to give your dogs head protection whilst making them look like a 90s wrestler or metal band frontman.
When to go and planning your route
We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again - planning prevents poor performance and hitting the road with your pooch is no different. Our online journey planner makes it easier to plan your route and give yourself time for those much-needed rest stops, food and drink breaks and EV recharges.
Travelling during cooler hours is definitely recommended, and we’re open every day of the year to support every journey.
Our 24/7 McDonald’s and 24/7 WHSmith stores means you can always grab a snack for the journey onward and take that much-needed rest break in comfort and walkies in great locations across the UK.
Roadchef is here for you and your dog at all times
Hopefully now you’re ready to hit the road with confidence. Our dog-friendly motorway services are here for you - inside our main amenity building and outside in our shady seating areas.
We’ve got water available to purchase at WHSmith or we can top up your water bottles for free at any of our units to keep you hydrated, whilst you can grab all the essentials from WHSmith or Roadchef & Co-op stores.
If you’re heading longer distances, to Europe for example, we’ve got more great tips over on the Motorway Matters blog to keep you informed on hitting the road with your pooch.