Yesterday was Pet Travel Safety Day, but we missed it. It didn’t bother us much because it should be a thing every day that you take your pet somewhere. As with people, vehicles, can be dangerous and you need to do your best to protect your furry friends. Cats need to be contained in a vehicle, but today we are focusing on dogs.
Let’s talk about safe ways to travel with your dog in a car. For starters there are a few really big DON’T DO ITEMS!
- We dogs love a good breeze but don’t let your dog hang their head out any vehicle windows. Not only is it bad for their eyes, it is down right dangerous. Would you ride around hanging out a car window, usually unrestrained?
- It doesn’t matter how old or young, big or small your dog is, restrain them! It is not cool to drive with your dog on your lap, it is a very bad idea!
- I can’t believe I even have to mention this, but never let a dog ride in the back of a pick up truck, especially unrestrained. Yes, we still see it now and then and it is so sad.
- Remember, an unsecured dog becomes a projectile in a crash as would an unrestrained adult or child. Whether you are driving a couple miles or a few hundred restrain, restrain, restrain your pets!
Restrain your dog in a travel safe kennel. We have Ruffland kennels which are built to withstand crashes, but don’t forget to secure it well in your vehicle. Soft sided, wire, or plastic crates with not withstand a crash, so spend some extra money for a safe car kennel.
Seat belts are what we usually have for traveling. Like kennels, not all seat belts are created equal, and honestly most of those on the market are not very safe. We all have AllSafe harnesses made in Germany, approved for the Autobahn where it is mandatory to restrain pets in vehicles. This one here is around twenty two years old and still going strong. They are made of seat belt fabric, steel clips, and half in thick padding. Cheap they are not, but safe and durable they are! We have one for puppies or small dogs, a medium, and a large. They attach to the babyseat attaching spot with more steel on steel.
As you can see, I can lie down, move around but the “leash” is short and I am safely buckled in. The AllSafe seat belts can be purchased here in the US too.
No matter how much you try to prevent accidents, they still can happen. Make sure you have information on your dogs in the car in the event you are incapacitated. Dogs can’t talk. They will be frightened. We purchased this safety tube which is always in our car fastened to the seat head rest with zip ties. We have information on us dogs, our human, our vet, and who to call in an emergency. All of us also are chipped, and have tags on our collars. You can never be too prepared.
One last thing. If you decide to fly with your dog, make sure and book one non-stop flight to your destination. Direct means there can be one or multiple stops, non-stop means one flight only. When flying, dogs are at the mercy of the airline. They can get loose, miss a connection, and so on. One non-stop flight, even if you have to drive a bit is well worth it. We will never fly. Katie and Emma had to fly to get to the US but it entailed a few hours driving to an airport and another five to get to the Twin Cities. For peace of mind, it was all worth it.
Have fun traveling with your dog and stay safe! You know we love to travel!
What great tips and we agree, our pups need to stay safe!
We are so disgusted seeing people driving with dogs on their laps, or heads hanging out wide open windows with dogs not even strapped in. It is not only a danger for the dog, it is dangerous for others if the dog becomes a projectile.
All I can say is “me too!” I get so
p-o’d at people when I see them driving with their dogs in their laps. Or their puppies unrestrained in the front passenger seat. But some people just won’t listen. And there’s nothing you can do about it.
I wish unrestrained pets would be a fine like not wearing a seat belt or not strapping in small children but it is the US and people find it cute. 4Knines has the best seat covers and cargo covers. I’ve been using them for years now. It’s almost time to get a new hammock for the back seat as we travel so much the fabric is starting to get a bit thin.
This is very good advice! Can you fit both of your Ruffland crates in your VW? What size are they?
Yes, they fit in the back side by side. I have intermediate size with a primo pad in the bottom to make is softer. I used to use one when we traveled with three dogs as there wasn’t room in the backseat for them all but now I use them at home sometimes when we are practicing nose work so they have a place to wait. They are great kennels.
Great advice. I take Clover in the car very much. Everytime she getsb a car she poops. I do have an emergency tube and seat belts just in case
Clover has a super dog mom, but we already knew that! She is so sweet and lucky to have you.
I finally got new seat belts (from 4Knines) that attach to the safety seat anchors on one end and the d-ring on the back of their harnesses at the other end. And a new cover for the back seat (hammock-style with a mesh window) – also from 4Knines – along with door covers. So these two won’t be able to pop the seat belt free of its receptacle any more with all their moving around.
What great advice…and we’re with you, anytime you travel with your pet s Pet Travel Safety Day!
xoxo,
Rosy & Sunny
It sure is and we know your parents make sure you two are safe in your vehicles.
Great advice; and we agree with you that seeing unrestrained (and frequently uncontrolled) dogs in vehicles is very sad.
Why so people think it is okay, we just don’t get it!
I am late today. I took Bryan to the doctor. He has a nasty sinus infection. We are waiting for the pharmacy to call to tell us they are ready.
OH my dogs what a fun bit of AI images and info.
Hugs Cecilia
Geez, sounds like he is in rough shape. I guess a lot more people than normal are sick with stuff right now. You can give him a bit of a laugh by letting him know he is lucky he has a human nose. Imagine one of us hounds with the huge noses having a sinus infection! Seriously, hope he feels better soon. Mom says that they are nasty things to have.
Those are excellent points! I agree especially about the back of a pick-up. I read almost 100,000 dogs die each year riding in the bed of a truck!
It is amazing people still do that! As kids, my uncle took us down the highway in the back of his pick up truck. Thankfully we never had an incident. We loved it but so very dangerous. Dogs will just fly and that will be the end.
Traveling where we live is scary for humans and pets and you can’t be too careful, ever!
Oh dear, maybe we should never come to your part of this land? I think it is a state we still need too.