Road travel with a pet in Italy is governed by Article 169 of the Italian Highway Code. A single pet is allowed to travel loose in the car as long as it doesn't distract the driver or block their view — jumping onto the front seat or climbing across the dashboard counts as a violation, not just bad manners. If travelling with more than one pet, they need to be properly secured: an approved carrier, a rigid divider separating them from the driver's area, or the rear boot compartment behind a barrier.
The single most important rule doesn't come from the Highway Code at all — it's common sense that Italian summers make non-negotiable: never leave a pet alone in a parked car. Cabin temperatures climb dangerously fast even with a window cracked, and Italy's peak season overlaps directly with its hottest months.
Worth knowing if the unexpected happens: under Article 189, paragraph 9-bis of the Highway Code, anyone involved in a road accident that injures an animal is legally required to ensure it gets prompt assistance, and failing to do so carries sanctions.