It’s National Child Passenger Safety week, and we think pets are family, too! So let’s take this opportunity to start the conversation about animal passenger safety. Lots of people like to drive their pets around town or to appointments, but not everyone knows how to do it safely. We love our animals just as we do family, and it’s our pet parent duty to keep them as safe as possible when we’re on the road. Read these tips and start keeping your pets safe right meow!
Dogs are man’s best friend, right? And our human friends always ride next to us in the car, but the front seats should be for adults only (that’s adulthood in human years, not dog years!). So sorry, Fido, no more calling shotgun. Pets are safer in the back of the car, where you have to worry less about injury by airbag.
Who doesn’t love pet cuddles? As much as we’d love to have our buddies right on our laps while we drive, this is unsafe! To prevent injury to yourself and your four-legged bud, keep your entire attention and focus on the road in front of you. Meowing and pawing at your face may be pretty cute, but save that for home, not the road!
If you have a pickup truck, it might occur to you that the bed on the back of it is an ideal, roomy spot for your pet. In reality, pets should never ride there unprotected and exposed. Besides, if your dog gets spooked and jumps out, you might just find yourself on a wild pooch chase. Always have identification on your pet just in case!
The best spot for your fluffy pal is in a secured crate in the backseat. By being in a crate, your pet avoids the possibility of getting her or her paw caught in any nooks and crannies or being tossed around the backseat with every turn. A small, familiar, comfortable place such as a crate might also serve as a calming environment to lower your pet’s travel anxiety. Don’t leave them in the car alone, though, as they would be unprotected and at risk of overheating!
We’ve all seen a car cruisin’ down the highway with a happy-looking pup sticking his or her head out the window. Although it seems to be universally one of dogkind’s favorite activities, sticking their heads out of a car window brings the risk of little bugs and debris hitting your pooch’s face or eyes. That’s no fun!
Car rides can get really long for both humans and pets, so if you’re planning on going a long way, be sure to stop so that both you and your pal can stretch your legs and take a break. Many hotels are dog-friendly, so overnight stops shouldn’t be a problem if they’re necessary!
Happy travels! If you don’t have a pet to travel with remember – ADOPT!
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