Car Travel with Pets

For most people, their pets are part of the family. They want to bring them along on every trip and family adventure. Whether it’s to the dog park, the beach, the mountains or just for a ride, it’s more fun when the furry members of the family come along.

Bringing the pets along for the trip, however, ushers in a new set of responsibilities. The first involves distracted driving. Even its just for a few seconds, taking your attention off the road can have disastrous consequences. The second is more pet-centered. You, as the ranking human in the group, need to make sure things are safe for your pets. Being on the road can present some hazards that just don’t exist around the house.

Here are some important tips to keep in mind when bringing your pet along to mitigate the consequences from irresponsible ownership.

Not up front

We know this is going to sound harsh but loose pets shouldn’t be in the front seats of vehicles. Having an unrestrained animal in the car while you travel is not only a distraction, but a crash hazard. The best way to transport an animal is in a crate but make sure it is secured.

The folks at Victory Lane Chevrolet (Fort Myers, FL) remind us that there’s also the option of specially-designed pet seatbelts. These pet belts buckle into standard belt inserts. Harnessed versions of this product are preferable due to being most secure.

Never in the truck bed

Pets should never be transported in the bed of a truck. Needless to say, this especially applies to unrestrained animals. You never know when you might have to apply the brakes hard and, well, you know what happens.

Even if your pet is crated, being exposed in a truck bed to the extreme elements can cause health concerns that you may not realize. Strong winds irritate their mucus membranes and if it’s cold, it’s really going to be cold when the wind blows. The sun and heat in a truck bed are another danger to consider. The heated metal of the truck bed can burn their paws and being exposed to direct sun can cause heat stroke.

And take breaks

When traveling, it’s a good idea to take breaks occasionally just to mix it up. Stopping the vehicle to take your pet out to be able to stretch their legs, have a meal, and drink water will help the poor critter endure the trip a little better.

Oh, and never!

Don’t travel with your pet in extreme temperatures if you need to leave the car for any length of time. On sunny, hot days, a vehicle can rise about fifteen degrees every ten minutes to anywhere between 95 to 120 degrees after just a half hour. This can be deadly to an animal even after a short amount of time due to their small size. poor heat management.

Finally

We all want our furry companions to be happy, healthy, and safe wherever we take them. As a result, it’s up to us to make sure the journey is secure.  Driving with a pet doesn’t need to be dangerous; following these cautionary tips will give the both of you the most safety out on the road.