5 Easy Tips for Keeping Your Dog Safe in the Car
Getting ready to hit the road with your dog? It’s not always easy to keep dogs safe in the car, even though they’re great company for cruising. Whether you’re just going for a short drive or taking a long road trip, don’t forget to take basic precautions when you take your dog with you. Because puppy kisses can be just a little distracting while you’re driving.
- Buckle Up: Seat Belts for Dogs
Just like their pet parents, dogs should buckle up on the road! The safest way to transport your pups is to secure them with their very own seat belts. Not only does a seatbelt confine your furry friend, but it keeps them safe in the event of an accident—which could severely injure or kill an unrestrained dog.
- Crates: A Home for the Road
If your dog is overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of a car ride, or you just want to build them a cozy mobile den, nothing beats a crate.
When crated in the car, your dog can snuggle up safely and ride in comfort. If your dog barks at other dogs or triggers out the window, you can cover the crate up with a blanket to encourage calm and quiet. Your dog will be happy in their familiar place and will adjust to new surroundings faster.
- Barriers: Keeping Your Dog out of Your Lap
Dogs love riding shotgun. But if you’ve got an excited or anxious pup who wants to climb over onto you, a barrier will help. Depending on the type of car you have, your dog can be secured in the back of your car by a special fence, for example. There are several types of barriers that can be installed into the backs of SUVs, hatchbacks, and vans.
Make sure to order one that fits your car specifically. And when installing, check to ensure your dog can’t slip through a gap and visit you in the front seat.
- On the Road Again: Take Breaks
On a long road trip, your dog needs car snacks, water, and potty breaks, just like you do. Make water readily available to your pup to avoid dehydration. Meals treats, and chew toys are great distractions for a busy dog in the car, too, and a Classic KONG is all of those things at once.
Ensure that you’re stopping every couple of hours so your pet can use the bathroom.
- Hot Dog: Check the Temperature in the Car
If you have to leave your dog in the car, be sure to first assess the temperature. What feels like a mild day outside won’t feel so mild inside the car. Surprisingly, the temperature inside the car on a 75-degree day can easily reach 100 degrees! Pets can die inside hot cars, even if the windows are cracked.
What’s more, in some places, leaving your dog in the car is illegal. When in doubt and whenever you can, keep your pup with you.
