To make sure the journey is safe and fun for you and your furry passenger, follow these tips:
Buckle up
An unrestrained pet poses many possible dangers in a moving vehicle. In the event of an accident, he can become a canine missile and fly through the windshield, out of an open window or even into the driver.
Pets should also never ride in the front seat. According to pet safety expert Melanie Monteiro, author of The Safe Dog Handbook: A Complete Guide to Protecting your Pooch, Indoors and Out, “Airbags are designed for the height of a human, not a dog. If an airbag deploys while a dog is riding in the front passenger seat, the force can kill him.”
Monteiro advises securing the dog by using an amply sized crate, a car harness or a vehicle barrier. “Never use a neck collar to restrain your dog while driving, as this could cause a throat injury or even strangulation,” she says. If using a crate, make sure that it’s secured so that it cannot slide or roll over.
Don’t Let Fido Hang out of the Window
As much as dogs love the rush of the wind over their faces as they hang out the window of a moving vehicle, this is a serious breach of dog car safety. Dirt, rocks and road debris are all potential hazards that can strike the dog in the face or eyes, causing severe injury. Dogs have also been known to lower the window with their paws. In such a case, they could climb or even fall out of the window and into traffic.
Never Leave a Dog in a Parked Vehicle
The temperature in the interior of a parked car can rise to 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature within an hour, in effect turning the vehicle into an oven. Within minutes the dog can suffer dog heat stroke and even die. In addition, leaving a dog alone in a car exposes him to the tragedy of potential theft.
Don't Forget the Cold Water
Dogs don’t sweat to regulate their body temperature like humans do, so to help keep them cool and hydrated it’s vital to carry along an ample supply of cold, fresh water. Be sure to offer it to them often during the journey.
Bring Along a Dog First Aid Kit
With dogs, just as with children, it’s best to expect the unexpected. By bringing along a dog first aid kit, pet parents can react quickly to an emergency or unforeseen circumstance. Be sure to stow the first aid kit in a location that is easily accessible from the driver’s seat.
Make Sure the Dog is Wearing Up-to-Date Identification Tags
This is important whether the car trip is across the country or across town. At least then, if the unthinkable happens and the dog does somehow get loose, the chances of recovering him will be much greater.
Use Vigilance Unloading the Dog from the Car
An excited pooch could bound out of the car the second the door is opened. To prevent a possible tragedy, keep a taught hold on the dog’s leash when unloading him from the car. Check in all directions to make sure there are no moving vehicles or other potential hazards before giving the leash enough slack to begin walking.
With a little forethought and planning any car journey – whether it’s to the beach, the mountains or the corner store – can be a safe, tail-wagging experience.
Diana Laverdure - I have been writing professionally since 1987, when I graduated from Tufts University with a BA magna cum laude in English. In the early ...
