dogs – Pulpaddict

Dogs ‘prefer electric cars to diesel ones’

Dogs are more relaxed in electric cars than diesel cars, new research claims.

Online vehicle marketplace CarGurus partnered with the University of Lincoln on the new study, which looked at the effects on dogs of travelling in a diesel car versus an electric vehicle (EV).

The two-day investigation used 20 dogs, each taken on two 10-minute car journeys – one in an EV and one in a diesel. During the trip, their behaviour was analysed.

Led by Daniel Mills, Professor of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine at University of Lincoln, the study not only found that dogs were less settled in diesel cars compared with EVs, but those dogs appearing to show some signs of car sickness had notably reduced symptoms in an EV.

The study concluded there was no evidence to suggest EVs have a detrimental effect on dog welfare. This resolves anecdotal concerns that the differences in vibration and/or noise experienced in an EV may cause dogs to be unsettled or have increased car sickness.

While the dogs in the study lay for around a third of the journey’s duration regardless of powertrain, in diesel cars dogs broke their laying position on average 50% more than when in an EV.

Another notable finding from the study was that a small number of dogs appeared to feel markedly less nauseous in an EV compared to a diesel car. This was demonstrated by changes in behaviour and the fact that their heart rates reduced by up to 30% when travelling in an EV.

“Our results clearly show that dogs seem to be more relaxed in EVs, particularly when looking at behavioural traits such as restlessness,” said Professor Mills.

“Additionally, an interesting and somewhat unintended revelation from the study came from the dogs that we identified as having potential symptoms associated with travel sickness.

“During their journeys in the EVs, biometric recordings of these dogs revealed their heart rates slowed markedly more than when they were in diesel cars.

“This was of particular interest to us given an increase in heart rate is commonly associated with motion sickness.

“It’s an intriguing result, which raised additional questions for exploration within this field.”

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Record number of pets travelling on Le Shuttle

Home / Auto News / Record number of pets travelling on Le Shuttle

Gareth Herincx

4 days ago
Auto News

August was a record-breaking month for Eurotunnel Le Shuttle with the largest number of pet crossings to date – a total of 54,501.

Summer 2022 also set a record for pet travel on the service as a whole, with some 98,000 journeys across the summer holidays in July and August.

This takes the total volume of pets carried on Le Shuttle to more than 3.7 million since 2000.

A survey of existing Eurotunnel customers who have travelled with a pet in the last three years found that 61.5% regularly take their dog on holiday with them.

Many customers said that they choose Eurotunnel over ferry travel for the ability to stay with their pet throughout the journey, making it less stressful. Another key reason is that the journey is by far the quickest method to get to mainland Europe.

Eurotunnel Le Shuttle’s top tips for travelling with your pet

Ensure your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date before you book your holiday – don’t leave it until the last minute.
The EU Pet Passport, issued in Great Britain, this will no longer be valid for travel to the EU and you will be required to obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
If you have a long journey ahead of you, give your pet a light meal before you go and remember to pack small snacks for them (and the family).
Plan to make plenty of stops along the way.
Pack additional items like spare collars, leads, beds, as well as toilet bags and of course plenty of water. It’s thirsty work going on holiday.
Be aware there are more biting insects abroad than we have in the UK. Ask your vet how you can take preventative steps for your pet.
Print out instructions for the vet in the language of the country you are returning from.

Tags Channel Tunnel dogs Eurotunnel Le Shuttle pets travel

Gareth is a versatile journalist, copywriter and digital editor who’s worked across the media in newspapers, magazines, TV, teletext, radio and online. After long stints at the BBC, GMTV and ITV, he now specialises in motoring.

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Top tips for happy travel with your dog

Gareth Herincx

1 day ago
Auto Blog

MINI UK and partner Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, are on a mission to help you and your Very Important Pooches (VIPs) travel safely and happily during the festive period.

One in three households in the UK now include a dog and online searches for ‘how to travel with a dog’ have risen by 97% ahead of the holiday season, so MINI and Dogs Trust have compiled five top tips for calmer car journeys.

GET YOUR CAR AND CANINE ACQUAINTED
It’s a good idea to introduce car travel gently and as early on as possible. Dogs having choice around a new or scary thing improves their confidence long-term.

You can start by simply acquainting your dog or puppy with the car itself. Encourage them to have a good sniff and get familiar with your vehicle’s scent. Open up the doors and boot, allowing them to hop in and out at their leisure. A tasty reward for their nose work will help build positive associations with the car.

IT’S ALL IN THE BODY LANGUAGE
Signs of distress can be shaking, panting and pulling away from the car. There are so many reasons a dog might feel anxious about car journeys – so introduce your dog to the car slowly and try to take some trips purely for fun to the beach or park. That way you’ll begin to build positive associations. Watch out for signs of over-stimulation and stress and take a break and a few steps back to the point your dog was comfortable.

KEEP YOUR HOUND SAFE AND SOUND
Consider where your dog will travel and protect your pooch by securing them in place with a harness, guard or crate. That way they’ll be restrained if you have to make a sudden stop. It’ll also help to keep them out of the driver’s way, and avoid distractions while you’re on the move.

THREE-POINT TURN
Can your dog do a ‘three-point turn’ in the back of the car? Your dog should be able to stand up, turn around comfortably and lie down in their space in the car.

IN-CAR SNACKS
Everyone enjoys an in-car treat, including your doggie pals. Bring your pooches’ favourite treats on trips to reward them for being a great travel companion. You could prepare them a long-lasting chew for the journey or a passenger could drop them a little reward every now and then.

For more information about the MINI and Dogs Trust partnership, visit the MINI Dogs Hub.

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Keep your dog cool in the car

Gareth Herincx

1 day ago
Auto Blog

As the hot weather returns, road safety and organisation GEM Motoring Assist is encouraging pet owners to ensure their dogs are safe and comfortable on car journeys.

And remember, it’s both dangerous and illegal to leave an animal in a hot vehicle.

“If the dog becomes ill or dies, you are likely to face a charge of animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006,” warns GEM chief executive Neil Worth. “This offence can bring a prison sentence of up to six months and/or a fine of up to £20,000.”

Travelling with dogs in cars: hot weather advice

Leave your dog at home on warmer days.
If you do need to transport your dog, bring plenty of fresh drinking water, and a bowl. Ensure your dog is able to stay cool on a journey.
Don’t let your dog travel unrestrained. Instead, use a proper travel basket or crate to create a safer space. Dog seatbelts and travel harnesses are also available.
Make plenty of stops on long journeys give your dog a good drink of water. Animals are unable to sweat in the way that humans can. Dogs cool themselves by panting and sweating through their paws, so it only take a a few minutes for dogs left in cars on hot days to begin experiencing the distressing symptoms of heatstroke.
If you suspect your dog is developing heatstroke on a journey, stop somewhere safe and find somewhere cool and shady. However, if signs of heat exhaustion become apparent (for example excessive thirst, heavy panting, rapid pulse, fever, vomiting, glazed eyes, dizziness), you should go straight to a veterinary surgeon.
If you see a pet in a vehicle on a hot day, take immediate action. For example, if you’re in a supermarket, roadside service area or garden centre car park, note the car make, model, colour and registration number, then go inside and ask for an announcement to be made. If this doesn’t bring the owner out, or you’re in a location where finding the owner is impossible, then dial 999 and ask for the police.

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