Vacation time is right around the corner. Memorial Day Weekend a lot of us hit the road for a weekend getaway or daily road trips. Taking your pet along makes the trip a complete family outing. Most dogs love to ride in cars and its fun to take them along with you wherever you go.
There are some important things to keep in mind when travelling with your pet. Keeping your dog safe and content in the car will make the road trip more enjoyable for you and also aid in your safety. An unrestrained dog or cat in the car during travel can be a hazardous distraction to a driver. There is pet gear designed especially for dog travel.
Animals should be secure during the trip and not allowed to jump around or hang out of the window. Don’t allow your pet to ride with their head outside the window. There is a danger of inner ear damage, lung infections, and injury from objects flying by your car. Use your car’s air conditioner to provide cool air for your dog.
There are serious dangers with unrestrained pets that travel in the car. Even if your pet is well behaved in the car, you still have to consider your pet’s safety if you to slam on your brakes or get into an auto accident.
Make certain your pet does cannot roam around the vehicle. Options include a pet safety belt, pet harness or pet car seat. These pet auto travel safety devices ensure that should an accident happen your pet is not thrown from the vehicle or into other passengers.
A dog auto harness that attaches to the car’s safety belt is a safe substitute to a dog crate. A properly fitted auto pet harness will allow your pet to sit and lie down comfortably during travel and will provide protection during sudden stops or emergency turns.
Car Safety Vest Dog Harness by O’Donnell is your dog’s protection while traveling in a vehicle. These are the only pet harnesses to be crash tested to the same standards as a child safety seat. Thirty (30) lbs. at 30 mph. There is a universal metal buckle that fits into the seat belt receptacle. The harness is manufactured from ballistic nylon for security in use. The vest style harness is for your pet’s protection.
A pet car seat is another great option for pet travel. It lets small dogs look out the car window, comfortably and safely. The Lookout II is like the original Lookout but, for added value, has a pull-out tray at the bottom to hold food and water dishes, toys, chews, and leash. If your pet is using an auto harness or pet car seat in the passenger front seat, be sure the passenger airbag is turned off. A deployed airbag can cause severe injury to pets.
In California the “Buckle Up” law applies to pets as well as people. The California “tether law” fines drivers a minimum of $50.00 when animals are not restrained in the car. In other states like New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, dogs are not permitted to ride unrestrained in the back of a pickup truck.
Dog crate or dog carriers that are on the car seat need to be buckled in so they do not shift when the vehicle turns. Small dog crates will most likely fit on the floor of the car and large dog crates will probably fit in the back of a SUV or van.
Another interesting auto safety option is a Backseat Hammock Pet Car Safety which creates a comfortable hammock for your pet by attaching easily to your front and rear headrests. It closes the gap between the front and backseats so pet stays off the floor. It reduces the risk of injury by keeping pets in the back seat. Water resistant, durable, canvas material protects seats from spills and hair. The Backseat Hammock adjusts to fit most vehicles.
To help keep your car clean during pet travel the Guardian Gear Pink Camo Car Seat Cover is a multi-use cover that fits over the back seat and keeps the upholstery free of pet hair, dirt, and moisture. Anti-slip Velcro® strips on back and elastic clips help secure the cover. The Pet car seat cover can also be used as a throw to protect furniture in the home. Measures 51″L x 40″W and fits most auto safety car seats. Pet travel doesn’t have to leave the upholstery in your vehicle stained with pet drool, claw marks and accidents.
On a final note… never leave your pet alone in a parked car! In hot weather the inside of a vehicle can be 20 degrees hotter than the outside temperature and cause your pet to overheat. In cold weather the car can hold in the cold and your pet can freeze to death.
Pets are great travelers and enhance the family vacation experience. Whether you are going on a quick trip to a dog park or on long distance vacations; pet auto safety is an important safety precaution for everyone on the road!
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