Many pet owners enjoy traveling with their pets. It’s much more common to see dogs enjoying trips in the car than cats, but now and then you’ll see the rare cat who enjoys a trip in the car. It’s not unheard of for pets to jump out the window, or escape out the door as soon as it’s open. And what if you are in an accident? What happens to your unrestrained pet?
Cats should always ride in a crate or carrier. Probably 98% of cats do not enjoy car travel. Even the ones who do are safer in a carrier. By allowing cats to sit freely on the seat beside you, on the dashboard, or on your lap, you are putting your cat in possible danger. Crating a cat during travel keeps the cat from wandering around while you are concentrating on driving. It also helps keep your cat safer if you are in an accident by helping shelter it from debris, and also from your cat getting tossed out the car window or escaping into unknown territory.
Dogs are also safer riding in a crate or carrier, although most pet owners allow their dogs to ride in the vehicle unrestrained. I, too, am guilty of this! However, consider again, you are in an accident. Your dog is more likely to be tossed around and injured, or even thrown out of the car, just as you can be if you don’t wear your safety belt. Or what if you must stop quickly? Your dog would most likely lose his balance and fall, potentially causing injury.
Then there’s the happy, energetic dog, the one who wants to be right beside you or in your face while driving. These dogs can not only block your view (mirrors or right in front of you!) but also cause a great distraction while driving.
And let’s not forget the dogs who enjoy hanging their head out the window. Yes, I am guilty of that as well! There are risks to allowing this. The head hanging out the window could possibly be hit by flying insects or debris, maybe even right in the eye. Who hasn’t been hit by an insect while hanging an arm out the window on a warm summer day…it hurts! The more serious danger, however, is allowing too much window space and the dog deciding to jump out of the moving vehicle, or even just falling out on a sharp turn. Even a dog who has never jumped out before, may suddenly decide to do so. Incidents like these can cause serious, even fatal, injuries. It only takes one time to cause a head injury, internal injury, multiple broken bones, or all of the above. And if the dog falls in front of an oncoming car, there’s the risk of the other driver hitting your dog.
Some drivers of pick-up trucks also allow their dogs to ride in the bed of the truck unrestrained or on a leash. All of the above dangers are present as well as possibly falling and hanging themselves on their leash.
Safer is better when it comes to riding in the car. If possible, restrain your dog in a crate or with a safety harness in the back seat. For larger vehicles, such as Explorers or Minivans, you may be able to purchase a device to block your dog from traveling to the front of the car. This is not as safe as a crate, but still better than no restraint at all. If windows are open for the dogs, consider only a few inches to allow a breeze but not to allow the dog to hang its head out the window.
Remember, safety for you and your pet must come first! You don’t want the first time something happens during a car ride to be your pet’s last car ride. You wouldn’t let your child roam unrestrained in the car, hanging out the window. Why let your pet?
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