Dog Cages for Safe Travel with Fido: Tips for Your Next Trip

     Dog cages turn out to be one of the best solutions to a pet owner's dilemma: "What do I do with the dog when I am traveling?"

Whether you are moving across town or taking a car trip across the country, a dog cage serves as a safe travel cabin for your beloved pet when you are travelling by car. They are a necessity if you are traveling by plane.

Your Dog's Mobile Home

One of the best ways to plan ahead is by crate training your dog from puppyhood. As dogs are instinctively denning animals, the cage becomes the dog's familiar "hangout," providing him with a sense of safety and security. This can be doubly important when passing through unfamiliar surroundings.

Furthermore, many hotels or motels will only accept dogs that are securely crated due to concerns about soiling of carpets, damage to furniture, not to mention dangers to other guests. If your travels involve visiting family and friends, they too will appreciate your concern for their property and peace of mind. Asking friends to "love me, love my dog" can be an unfair burden.

Car Safety Issues

There are even more benefits to putting four-footed friend in a cage before taking off in the car. For one thing, an unrestrained pet is a danger to the driver, occupants, and the pet. Should you be in an accident or even just brake suddenly, an unrestrained occupant (whether animal or human) becomes a projectile that can injure others as well as be severely injured. Crate your dog-and secure the crate. An alternative is a special safety dog harness that uses the seatbelt system installed in your car.

Who hasn't seen a happy dog sticking its head out the window of a moving vehicle, savoring all those passing smells? Alas, many have been injured by road debris and insects that enter their eyes, nostrils, or mouth. Others have even been strangled by accidently activating the electric window control, and many more have needed trips to the vet for respiratory distress due to cold air forced into their lungs. You wouldn't let your child stick her head or arms out would you, just because she begged, would you? Resist your dog's entreaties and keep him inside the passenger cabin.

Dogs and Pickups: A Dangerous Mix

If you are driving a pick-up, avoid the temptation to stick the dog in the back. It's been estimated that over 100,000 dogs die each year falling from pickups. Even a quick swerve can be enough to send your precious pet flying. Also, dogs may jump out of the truck bed, creating hazards and possibly accidents to others trying to avoid him. Have you touched the metal of the truck bed in summer? It can get hot enough to injure your dog or encourage him to leap out of it. If you want to put the dog in the pickup bed, make sure he is in a secured crate with protection from a hot metal floor.

Finally, animals cannot tell us when they are hot, cold, thirsty, or hungry. Remember that dogs, like children, should not be left in cars, particularly with the windows closed in the summer heat. It can be lethal as well as illegal. Keep in mind that when you are bundled up for cold, that your pet would appreciate some consideration too. Have a snuggly blanket on hand in winter. Carry water and food (with dishes) for your pet to make sure they do not attempt to sample any dirty water or food scraps at rest stops.

Using dog cages and following these tips can make traveling with "man's best friend" safe and fun for everyone.