For most pet parents, traveling presents a dilemma – you want to take your pet with you wherever you go, but they might not be willing to come along for a ride. Even if your dog is eager to join you for a road trip, the problem is that taking them out for a car ride is not as easy as it sounds.
You need to follow proper dog car safety tips to ensure that your pet is comfortable during the trip. Careful preparation is also important for ensuring that you don’t inadvertently put yourself and your pet’s life in danger.
Here, we discuss some of the top tips for keeping your dog safe in the car.
Restraining your dog is the first and foremost step for ensuring a safe journey. Unrestrained pets can not only distract the driver and cause an accident, but they are also at a high risk of injury in case you have to brake suddenly or make a sharp turn.
Some of the common options for securing your dog in the car include:
A dog harness seat belt, also known as a safety harness, is a special tool for restraining your dog in the car. It includes a loop or a clip with which you can attach it to your car’s seatbelt. It fits snugly against your pet and prevents them from moving around without bringing them any discomfort.
Simple and easy to use, safety harnesses for dogs come in a wide variety of styles, and are compatible with almost all car types.
A harness seat belt is good for well-behaved dogs that won’t try to wiggle out of it the minute you put it on.
A zipline harness is designed to be used in conjunction with a dog harness. It is different from the dog harness seat belt in the sense that it allows some movement, while still keeping your pet out of harm’s way. If you have a highly active or young pooch that gives you a hard time settling in, consider using a zipline harness to restrain them during car rides.
Kennels or travel crates are a great way to keep your pet safe not only in the car, but throughout the entire length of the trip, including the time when you might have to get out of the car and take them with you.
A kennel offers more protection as compared to other alternatives, and is suitable for almost all types of dogs as it makes them feel more relaxed and comfortable during the ride.
When buying a travel crate for your dog, make sure that it will fit easily in your car. Also, it needs to be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around easily.
A carry box, also known as a dog booster seat is car safety equipment that is primarily designed for small-sized dogs. It is like a small basket that keeps your dog in one place while also giving them a good view of their surroundings.
When taking your pooch out for a ride, place the box on the backseat of the car and put your dog in it. The claps in the carry box can then be connected to the pet harness so that your dog does not jump out of the box.
A dog barrier is an ideal tool for restraining larger dogs in a car. It is installed in the space between the driver seat and the one next to it and prevents your pet from catapulting to the front in case you brake suddenly.
Dog barriers can also be attached between the back seats and the cargo area. It’s better to secure your dog with a safety belt or harness in addition to using a dog barrier. This provides the maximum amount of safety for your pet in case of any untoward accident.
Remember: Never clip the leash to your dog’s collar (connect it to the harness instead) and then into the vehicle’s seat belt. Connecting the leash to the collar can cause the pet to choke
Traveling safely with your pet involves more than keeping them seated firmly throughout the trip. For a smooth ride, you need to prepare your dog mentally as well, especially if you plan on going for a long trip.
Let your dog get used to the idea of traveling by taking them on a series of short drives first. Gradually increase the duration of each ride until you feel they are ready for the main trip. This also gives you an idea of whether your pet experiences motion sickness or not.
If you notice your dog getting uncomfortable at any point, try to pull over and let them out for a few minutes. They might want to stretch, pee, or take a break from zooming down the highway at an incredible speed.
Whether you want to go grocery shopping or grab a quick drink from the gas station, never ever leave your dog alone in the car. The temperature inside the car tends to rise very quickly when the cooling system is turned off. There are various cases of pets suffering from heatstroke when left in a car for a considerably long period of time.
It might be cute to see dogs poking their head out of a car’s window and enjoying the wind blowing in their face. But it’s not at all safe for your pooch!
The air can dry their eyes, making them red and itchy. Plus, your pet is at risk of getting hurt by any flying objects or from other vehicles on the road.
Feeding your dog on the move can not only make them feel nauseated, but can also cause them to choke. Also, it’s better to give them a lighter meal before the trip to reduce their likelihood of getting motion sickness.
However, you must carry their favorite treats and plenty of water along with you and feed them from time to time. Just try to pull over or at least reduce the car speed when doing so.
Follow these dog car safety tips every time you pull out of your driveway with your pet, and rest assured, you will have great fun on the road together.
by Bobby J Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™ .
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