Whether you’re going on a road trip with your pet or enjoy taking them for a quick drive once in a blue moon, it’s important to ensure their safety and yours. Just as you ensure your children are safely buckled into their seats, you have to verify the security and safety of your dogs during the drive as well. Even the most well-trained dogs can become overwhelmed with excitement and nervousness while on the road.
It’s important to stay informed on pet and car safety as a dog owner. To ensure the safety of you and your pet, here are the four key safety tips for safe driving with your pet in the car.
1. Keep Your Dog Safe In The Backseat
The safest and most comfortable spot for your dog to sit is in the back seat. As tempting as it is to bond with your pet by having them sit on your lap during the ride, it is not the safest. When dogs are in the front seat, they can distract you while driving which is dangerous. If you experience a fender bender or accident, your pet is at a higher risk of injury because the airbag can crush them even when they’re inside a carrier.
2. Anticipate and Prepare For A Car Sick Animal
This mainly applies to longer road trips, however, dogs can still become car sick during short drives. You can prepare your pet for car rides and actually train them on how to alleviate driving anxieties. Prepare your animal by feeding them in the car that is not turned on and in the park. Allow your pet to grow comfortable with the idea of being in the car by taking them on short drives that lead to somewhere exciting for them, like the dog park. With proper, consistent preparation and training, your dog may eventually start to look forward to car rides!
3. Pack Water and Food
Likely you carry a water bottle and even a few snacks for a drive, so it’s a good idea to do the same for your pet. Keep your dog nourished prior to the drive, but have a water bowl in the car, food and a water bottle for when you take a break from the drive. Any time you stop, you should allow your pet the opportunity to drink water and eat food as you would.
4. Keep Your Pet’s Head Inside
As much as your dog loves sticking their heads out the window and wagging their tongues in the wind, it’s not the safest activity for them. If you’re driving too quickly on the road, it’s possible that your pet could fall out of the window, especially if they’re a smaller breed. Pets can also get dirt, debris and other unwanted matter in their eyes, mouths and ears when their heads are out the window,
