Buying a pet-friendly vehicle

For many people, pets are important members of the family, so you need to make sure your animals will be comfortable and happy wherever they are. This includes making sure you buy a vehicle that caters well to pets, offering them a comfortable journey with plenty of room when you're heading off on holidays, to the vets or just down to the local park.



One of the most important factors to consider when looking for a car to carry your dog is space, making roomy vehicles such as SUVs and wagons popular choices among owners of larger animals. However, there's more to think about than just giving your pet enough room to relax - you also need to ensure they are properly secured and will be comfortable throughout the trip, especially if you're planning a long-distance journey.



A recent survey revealed that more than 30 per cent of pet owners take their animals on holiday with them, rather than leaving them in a kennel or in the care of friends and family. If you think your pet will be spending a lot of time in your car, you should look for some or all of the following features to make sure you offer the most comfortable travelling experience.

Cargo management systems can be very useful when transporting dogs or other pets in secure boxes, and many larger vehicles feature metal dividers or vertical grates to keep these even more secure. Some vehicles are now designed specifically with pets in mind, such as Nissan models that feature pet guard dividers, while some Volvo vehicles include nets in the cargo area to keep dogs safely protected and separate from passengers.



These features offer pets the freedom to move around, but keep them well contained and are much safer in the event of crashes, where impacts could cause considerable injury to your pet and damage to your vehicle, requiring car window repairs and other maintenance.



You don't have to buy a huge vehicle to carry your pet though, especially if you own a smaller animal. Buying a car with fold-up or fold-flat backseat cushions and passenger seats can instantly offer more space inside your vehicle when carrying pets to and fro, and choosing cars with stain resistant and washable furnishings will make it easier to clean your vehicle. You should also be aware of safety issues when keeping pets inside vehicles, particularly in the hot summer months when even just a few minutes in an unsheltered car can cause considerable damage to pets' health.