Car Pet-Safety

There are very few things a dog loves more than cheese, ice cream and riding in the car. Every dog we have ever had couldn't wait to get in the car. Dogs are like people; they get bored, too, and like to get out every now and then.

Many years ago, pet safety in the car wasn't really something we thought about. We let our dogs roam in the back portion of the station wagon, sometimes even sitting in the front seat, (actually, our dogs preferred the front seat - better view that way and feeling more like the Big Dog!), and unrestrained. We didn't have the products that are available now to provide a safe traveling environment for our pets. Basically they were allowed to run around under our feet, jump in our laps from window to window, with licks of thank you for taking them to town - and all of this was done while trying to drive!

However, the downside to taking your pets on an excursion, to the vet, or just to town can create a distraction. When my son was small, we had a Siberian Husky. We always let her ride with us on the way to school. I usually rolled the window down a little so she could get some fresh air and check out the different smells. This one particular morning, a squirrel ran out in the road and she went after it by jumping in the front seat causing me go into the ditch. My son's head hit the windshield (didn't have seat belts then) - we were all okay, but this is a good example of how unrestrained pets can cause an accident. If you had to stop suddenly, a small, unrestrained dog could be thrown to the floor, or a larger dog could be thrown into the windshield or thrown from the vehicle. Any of these or other scenarios would be traumatic for both pet and owner.

Some additional tips to ensure a safe journey are to restrain your pet in the rear seat, (air bags could cause potential harm to the dog), no hanging heads out the window - no matter how much your dog begs - it could cause harm to the eyes from dust or dirt, no smoking in the car, no sitting on your lap, and never ever leave a pet in the car unattended on a hot or cold day. Hundreds of pets die every year because of heat exhaustion or exposure to the cold. Never let your dog ride in the bed of a pickup unrestrained. Put them in a cage or crate and tie the crate down so it will not move during the trip.

These days as we are more safety conscious, pet products become available to assure a safe ride for our families and pets (who are our families, too). Doggy seat belts, harnesses, pet crates, barriers, door pop/unlock systems to get your pet out fast in case of an accident, heat alarms that protect your pet from heat stroke or cold temperatures, and fans to help keep our pets cooler. Restricting the movement of your pet will make the journey more enjoyable for all aboard. Restraining your pet in the car should be just as important as buckling up yourself or other passengers.

If you are going to take a road trip with your best friend, make sure you have water for your pet to drink, some favorite toys and bedding or blanket from home to add some familiarity to its surroundings.

You would never let your children run loose in the car, so why would you allow your best friend to?