---
title: "Travelling With Pets in the UK"
description: "UK guide to travelling with dogs and cats — car safety, Eurotunnel and trains, heatstroke risk, microchipping law and collar tags."
url: "https://pethealth.org.uk/health/travelling-with-pets-uk"
canonical: "https://pethealth.org.uk/health/travelling-with-pets-uk"
date_published: "2026-06-25"
date_modified: "2026-06-25"
source: "PETHEALTH+"
---

# Travelling With Pets in the UK

When travelling with pets in the UK, secure dogs safely in the car, never leave them in hot vehicles, and ensure dogs wear a **collar and tag with your name and address** in public. For EU trips, plan ahead with an AHC — see our EU travel guide.

## Travelling by car

According to the RSPCA and Blue Cross, car travel is the most common way UK owners move pets. Plan for comfort and safety:

- **Restraint** — use a crash-tested harness attached to a seatbelt, a fixed travel crate, or a secure boot partition. Unrestrained pets are a distraction and projectile risk
- **Breaks** — stop every 2–3 hours for water, toileting and leg stretch on lead
- **Never on the lap** — airbags and sudden stops cause serious injury
- **Motion sickness** — ask your vet about acclimatisation and anti-nausea options before long journeys

Keep vaccination records, microchip details and pet insurance information accessible. For cross-border travel, carry required health certificates.

## Heat in cars — a serious risk

According to the RSPCA, **never leave a dog (or any pet) in a parked car** on a warm or sunny day — even with windows cracked or in shade.

| Outside temperature | Inside a car after 30 minutes |
|--------------------|------------------------------|
| 22°C | Can exceed 47°C |
| 26°C | Can exceed 37°C in minutes |

Dogs cannot cool effectively by sweating. Heatstroke causes organ failure and death within minutes. If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, dial **999** — police can authorise entry. Carry water, a cooling mat and plan routes with shaded stops.

Cats and small mammals overheat equally fast — never transport them in unventilated carriers in direct sun.

## Eurotunnel and ferries

According to Eurotunnel, **Le Shuttle** carries dogs, cats and ferrets in your vehicle:

- Pets remain in the car during the crossing — never in the boot without ventilation
- Book pet tickets in advance; fees apply per pet
- For EU travel, you need an AHC and meet rabies rules — see [Travelling to the EU with pets](/health/travelling-to-eu-with-pets-uk)

Ferry operators (P&O, Brittany Ferries, DFDS and others) have varying pet policies — some allow foot passengers with pets in carriers; others require vehicle travel. Pet-friendly cabins book quickly in summer.

## Trains and public transport

UK rail policy varies by operator:

- **Assistance dogs** — permitted on all services under equality law
- **Pet dogs** — often allowed on some regional and open-access operators in carriers or on lead; many mainline services restrict non-assistance animals
- **TfL** — dogs on lead or in carrier on most London services; check peak-time rules

Always confirm with the operator before travel. Carry water, waste bags and a muzzle if your dog may be anxious in crowds.

Local buses and taxis are at the driver's discretion — call ahead.

## Microchip and tag law

According to UK legislation and the RSPCA:

### Microchipping (dogs)

- All dogs must be **microchipped by 8 weeks** and registered on a UK-approved database
- Keep contact details **up to date** — outdated records delay reunions and may lead to enforcement action
- See [Microchipping pets UK](/health/microchipping-pets-uk) for cats and compliance details

### Collar and tag (England and Wales)

Under the **Control of Dogs Order 1992**, every dog in a **public place** must wear a collar with:

- Owner's **name**
- Owner's **address** (postcode acceptable)

Telephone number is recommended but not legally required. Tag and microchip serve different purposes — both matter when a pet is lost far from home.

Scotland requires identification on collars for dogs in public. Northern Ireland has separate dog licensing rules.

## Cats and small pets

Cats should travel in a secure carrier — never loose in a moving car. Line the carrier with familiar bedding. Covering the carrier can reduce stress but ensure airflow.

Small mammals and birds need species-appropriate carriers, stable temperature and no direct sunlight. Avoid opening carriers outdoors — escape risk is high.

## Before you travel

- Register with a vet at your destination if staying long-term
- Update microchip database with holiday contact if possible
- Pack food, medications, familiar bedding and a recent photo
- Check pet-friendly accommodation policies — many UK hotels and cottages accept dogs by prior arrangement

## FAQs

### Is it illegal to leave a dog in a hot car in the UK?

There is no specific 'hot car' offence, but owners can be prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 if a pet suffers. Never leave dogs in cars on warm days — interior temperatures rise rapidly and can kill within minutes.

### Do dogs need a collar and tag when travelling in the UK?

In England and Wales, dogs in public must wear a collar with the owner's name and address on a tag or plate. Scotland has similar requirements. Microchipping is also legally required for dogs.

### Can I take my dog on Eurotunnel or UK trains?

Eurotunnel Le Shuttle carries pets in your vehicle for a fee — they stay with you in the car. Most UK mainline trains do not allow dogs except assistance dogs, though some operators permit small pets in carriers. Always check before booking.

### How should I restrain my dog in the car?

Use a crash-tested harness, travel crate or boot guard. Unrestrained pets can injure themselves and passengers in a collision and may invalidate insurance if they distract the driver.

## Sources

- [GOV.UK — Control of Dogs Order 1992](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/901/contents/made)
- [RSPCA — Dogs in hot cars](https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/health/dogsinhotcars)
- [Blue Cross — Travelling with your dog](https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice)
- [Eurotunnel — Travelling with pets](https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/traveller-info/travelling-with-pets/)

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Last modified: 2026-06-25