Tips for travelling with pets

This article provides general information only and doesn’t take into account your individual circumstances. Terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions apply. Please read the relevant PDS. Accurate as at 9 October 2026.

Travelling with pets can take a little extra planning, whether you’re heading away, moving house, or preparing for a trip to the vet. Taking steps to keep your pet safe, comfortable, and appropriately secured can help make the experience easier for everyone. Different pets may cope with travel in different ways. While some may adapt well, others may find transport, unfamiliar environments, and changes to their routine more challenging. Understanding your pet’s individual needs and preparing ahead of time can help you support them throughout the journey.

To help you on your journey, we’ve put together some practical tips on preparing your pet for travel, keeping them safe and comfortable during the journey, travelling with cats, and the important things to check before you leave home.

Table of contents

• Preparing your pet for travel
• Check your pet’s ID before you travel
• Keep your pet safe and secure in the car
• Never leave your pet alone in the car
• Help keep your pet comfortable during the journey
• Travelling with cats
• Don’t forget the essentials
• Check your pet insurance policy before you leave

Preparing your pet for travel

A smooth trip starts before you leave home. Here are a few things to tick off before you and your pet hit the road:

• Help your pet become familiar with travel. If your pet will be travelling in a carrier, helping them become familiar and comfortable with it beforehand can make the experience less stressful. Leaving the carrier out at home and encouraging positive interactions with it can help your pet view it as a safe and familiar space. Similarly, if your dog will be travelling using a car harness or other restraint, help them become familiar with it before the journey. You can also help your pet become more comfortable with the car by allowing them to spend short periods of time in the stationary vehicle before travelling. If your pet isn’t comfortable travelling by car, start with very short journeys and gradually increase the length as they become more at ease, using reward-based training, treats, and praise to help keep the experience positive.
• Make sure they’re fit to travel. Ensure that your pet is healthy enough for the journey and that their vaccinations, parasite prevention, and identification details on their microchip and ID tag are up to date before you go.
• Have a chat with your vet. Ask whether your pet needs any additional preventative care for where you’re heading, or whether any health documentation may be required. If your pet takes any medication, pack enough for the trip and bring a copy of their prescription, if appropriate.
• Check any travel requirements. If you’re travelling across state or territory borders, relocating, or staying in pet-friendly accommodation, check whether there are any requirements that apply before you leave. Rules for travelling with pets can vary between locations and providers, so it’s worth checking ahead of time.

Check your pet’s ID before you travel

Being away from home can increase the risk of pets becoming lost or separated from their owners, so up-to-date identification is especially important when you’re travelling. Make sure your pet is microchipped and your contact details are current on the registry. An ID tag with your mobile number on their collar adds another simple way for someone to reach you.

Travelling interstate? Some microchips may only be listed on a state-based registry, so check whether your pet’s details can be accessed nationally before you go. That way, if you and your pet become separated while you’re away from home, there’s a better chance you can be reunited quickly.

Keep your pet safe and secure in the car

A pet moving around freely in a car can be a distraction and could put both of you at risk if you need to stop suddenly. Keeping them safely restrained helps protect them, you, and everyone else on the road.

When travelling by car, make sure your pet is safely and appropriately restrained throughout the journey. For dogs, consider a properly fitted vehicle harness, or a well-ventilated, crash-tested crate that’s securely fastened in place. Cats should travel in an appropriately sized, secure, well-ventilated travel carrier. Not all pet restraints and carriers have been safety and crash tested, so check whether a product has undergone crash testing before purchasing, and always follow the manufacturer’s fitting instructions.

Never leave your pet alone in the car

Even on a mild or overcast day, never leave your pet unattended in the car. Temperatures inside a parked car can rise quickly, putting pets at risk of heat stress and potentially fatal heatstroke, even with the windows down.

While you’re on the road, keep the car at a comfortable temperature and make sure there’s plenty of airflow. Keep an eye on your pet throughout the journey and watch for signs of overheating or heat stress.

Help keep your pet comfortable during the journey

A few simple things can help make the journey more comfortable for your pet, and a little easier for you too:

• Plan meals carefully. Some pets may be more likely to feel unwell during travel if they’ve recently eaten. If you’re concerned about your pet becoming nauseous during the journey, speak to your vet about how best to time their meals before you travel.
• Help your pet settle before you leave. Allow time for exercise and play before travelling to help your pet settle during the journey.
• Take regular breaks. For longer journeys, make sure your pet has access to fresh drinking water and opportunities to rest. If it’s safe and appropriate for your pet, regular breaks can also give them a chance to stretch their legs and use the toilet.
• Plan ahead for unfamiliar environments. New places can be exciting or unsettling for pets. Take steps to ensure your pet remains safe and secure during the journey and any stops along the way. Be particularly careful when opening car doors or carriers in unfamiliar locations, as pets may react unexpectedly to unfamiliar sights, sounds, or smells.
• Plan ahead for car sickness. If your pet tends to feel queasy or unwell during travel, have a chat with your vet before the journey. They can advise you on the best way to help keep your pet comfortable.

Travelling with cats

While some travel with cats may be unavoidable, such as trips to the vet or when moving home, many cats are strongly attached to the familiarity of their home environment.

Travel, transport, and changes to their routine can be stressful, so many cats are better off staying at home with appropriate care arrangements when their owners go away. Similar considerations may also apply to some dogs who find travel stressful or don’t cope well with unfamiliar environments. Our guide to finding a pet sitter can help if staying home is a better option for your pet.

If your cat does need to travel, help them get comfortable with their carrier gradually beforehand, and keep them safely contained throughout the journey.

Don’t forget the essentials

A little thoughtful packing can make travel with your pet much easier. Here are a few essentials to bring along for your pet:

• Their usual food and treats, with enough to last the whole journey, plus a can opener if you’ll need one.
• Food and water bowls, along with plenty of fresh water for the journey.
• Comfortable bedding or a travel crate, so they have a familiar place to rest.
• Their collar with an ID tag and, for dogs, a harness and lead, along with any carrier or restraint they may need during the journey.
• A few home comforts, such as their favourite toys or a familiar-smelling blanket, plus grooming essentials and a towel for any muddy or sandy paws.
• Plenty of poo bags for dogs and, if your cat needs to travel a long way, a travel litter tray and a supply of fresh litter.
• Any medications and prescriptions, along with a basic pet first aid kit.
• Vet contact details, including your usual vet, vet clinics near your destination and along your route, plus after-hours clinics in case you need help outside regular hours.

Check your pet insurance policy before you leave

Before you set off, take a moment to check your pet insurance policy. Make sure your contact and pet details are up to date, and refresh yourself on what your policy covers, including any limits, exclusions, or waiting periods that may apply.

It’s also worth checking how your cover works if your pet needs vet care while you’re away from home. Knowing what to expect before you travel means one less thing to think about if something unexpected happens along the way.

Don’t have pet insurance, or thinking about changing your cover? With RSPCA Pet Insurance, you can customise your pet’s cover to suit their needs and your budget, with annual cover limits up to $35,000, benefit percentage options up to 90%, a zero excess option, and a wide range of optional extras.

To learn more about how RSPCA Pet Insurance could support you and your pet, click here. Or, if you’re ready to take the next step, you can fetch a commitment-free pet insurance quote online.

Disclaimer

As with any insurance, terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.

References

[1] RSPCA Australia. What do I need to know about taking my dog on a road trip with my family? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/pets-and-holidays/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-taking-my-dog-on-a-road-trip-with-my-family

[2] RSPCA Australia. Do I need to restrain my dog when travelling in my car? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/caring-for-my-dog/do-i-need-to-restrain-my-dog-when-travelling-in-my-car

[3] RSPCA Australia. How can I protect my dog from heatstroke? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/caring-for-my-dog/how-can-i-protect-my-dog-from-heatstroke

[4] RSPCA Australia. Can I take my cat with me when I go on holiday? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/pets-and-holidays/can-i-take-my-cat-with-me-when-i-go-on-holiday

[5] RSPCA Australia. Why is it important to ensure my pet is microchipped? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/pet-ownership/why-is-it-important-to-ensure-my-pet-is-microchipped

[6] RSPCA Australia. How can I train my pet to feel comfortable in a transport carrier? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/pets-and-holidays/how-can-i-train-my-pet-to-feel-comfortable-in-a-transport-carrier