EXPERT COMMENT – LEAVING PETS IN THE CAR IN HOT WEATHER

News reports today show that temperatures have reached 28 degrees, with hot weather expected to continue rising over the course of the weekend. While many will be out enjoying the sunshine, motorists are reminded to keep an extra eye on their furry friends this weekend as temperatures peak. Car insurance expert at Confused.com, Alex Kindred comments:

“The hot weather has definitely been a long time coming so it’s likely we’ll see an increased footfall across our UK coastlines, parks and recreational areas this weekend. For motorists with pets, the decision to take them with us is always a popular choice. Our latest research found that nearly 1 in 2 (49%) of drivers travel with their four-legged friends, with dogs our most popular companion (68%).

“Our research found that 3 in 10 (30%) motorists have travelled more than 50 miles when with their pet, but the average motorists will only stop once during their journey. When travelling, it’s important to keep your pet cool so that they don’t become unwell. You can do this by:

• Keeping the air conditioning on
• Putting the sun shade on the window to block some of the sun coming in
• Crack the window a little for some breeze, but not so much that your pet can put their head out of the window
• Let your pet drink lots of cool water on your scheduled stops
• Get cool pads for your pet to sit on

“It’s also important to make sure that your pet is properly restrained when you travel, for the safety of all road users. You should also never to leave your pets unattended in your vehicle, especially when temperatures soar. If you’re travelling with pets this weekend, our guide on how to keep your pets safe while driving will help clear up any confusion, leaving you to plan a weekend in the sunshine.”