Animals

Paws on tour: Dogs set to travel 1.4 billion miles this summer

Published

2 years ago

28th July 2021

Editor

white and black short coat puppy on black window car

Millions of pet owners are packing up their cars with dogs and cats as well as family, friends and luggage this summer, reveals new research from Direct Line Motor Insurance.

Nearly 12 million owners plan to take their dogs on road trips, each travelling an average of 123 miles. This means the nation’s dogs will be driven a combined 1.4 billion miles across the UK this summer.

Dogs are not the only ones going on holiday this year, as many cat owners also say they can’t bear to leave their feline friends behind. Some 3.6 million owners plan to take their cats on road trips over the next few months, driving 98 miles each, meaning British cats too will travel a total of 349 million miles.

‘Va-cat-ions’ are being fuelled by younger owners: a third (33 per cent) of cat owners aged 18-34 plan to take them on holiday, compared to just four per cent of owners over the age of 55.

Further research from Direct Line suggests the rise of staycationing is driving this trend, with 6.3 million dogs and 2.3 million cats expected to be taken on UK holidays this summer. The research found that British breaks are booming, with 36.9 million trips taken last year, with over 13 million Brits (25 per cent) not currently finding overseas holidays an appealing prospect due to the pandemic.

***Some 3.6 million owners plan to take their cats on road trips over the next few months***

Lorraine Price, Head of Motor Insurance at Direct Line said: “This summer is set to see another boom for staycations as we pack up our cars and hit the road for well deserved holidays. We are certainly a nation of animal lovers, which is clear from the number of dog and cat owners who plan to pack their pets in the car when they set off this summer. Driving with pets can be stressful, so it’s worth spending time planning how they’re going to be safely secured and that there are plenty of opportunities for stops along the way if going on a long journey.”

Nearly 20 million people (37 per cent) say their holiday habits have changed this year, with pet ownership a key factor. A quarter (25 per cent) would feel uncomfortable leaving their dog with someone else while they went on holiday, while a fifth (20 per cent) say their holidaying habits have changed since they got a dog. One in five (19 per cent) wouldn’t normally drive on a UK holiday, while one in seven (15 per cent) wouldn’t normally take their pet on a UK holiday but will this year.

How holiday habits have changed this year

How holiday habits have changed	Percentage of people whose holidays have changed due to this
I wouldn’t normally go on a holiday in the UK but will this year	35 per cent
I would feel uncomfortable leaving my dog with someone else while I went on holiday	25 per cent
My holidaying habits have changed since I got a dog	20 per cent
I wouldn’t normally drive on a UK holiday but will this year	19 per cent
I wouldn’t normally take my pet on a UK holiday but will this year	15 per cent
This year is the first time I’m planning on taking my dog on holiday	9 per cent
My holidaying habits have changed since I got a cat	9 per cent
All whose holiday habits have changed	37 per cent