You love your pet, and you go out of your way to make sure they are safe at all times. So it’s only natural that you’d want to ensure the safety of your pet during a car ride, right? Pet safety in the car is important for your pets seeing as they can often be confused or in some cases downright terrified of being in a moving vehicle. Here are some great tips on in-car pet safety!
Get your pet familiarized with your car
The first thing you should do is help your pet to feel more comfortable in your car. You can do this by having them sit in your car for a period of time while it is parked. Though they may be a little bit disoriented at first, they should eventually warm up to their surroundings. This will make them more ready when it comes time to go for an actual drive.
Do a trial run
If you’re unsure about bringing your pet along for a drive, start by taking them on a short drive instead of a longer one. Drive around the block a few times to see how your pet behaves in a moving vehicle. The last thing you want is to commit to a long drive without being completely sure your pet is going to stay calm for the entirety of the trip. If your pet can’t handle even a short five-minute drive, you’ll want to work more on getting them comfortable and familiar with your vehicle before hitting the road for real.
Ensure that your pet is comfortable
Once you’ve hit the road with your pet, take some steps to treat them like a passenger and make them more comfortable. On long drives, stop every once in a while to let them stretch their legs and to give them food and water. If the weather is hot, turn on the air conditioning or crack a window to cool your pet off. The more comfortable you make your vehicle the more likely your pet will stay calm.
Purchase proper pet restraint equipment
You may think a crate is going to protect your pet in the event of a car accident, but you’d be wrong. Crates have failed numerous safety tests and are not recommended for keeping your furry friend safe. Instead, look for quality pet harnesses that go around your pet’s midsection and attach to a seatbelt. These harnesses evenly distribute force should your pet be flung in any direction during a car crash, keeping your pet secure and safe as possible. Also available are specially designed pods that are restrained by seatbelts with your pet nestled inside.
Keep your pet’s head inside
As cute as it is to see those ears flapping in the wind, it’s best to not let your pet stick its head out the window while you drive. Oftentimes, dirt and other irritants can blow into their eyes and cause irritation or infection.
Follow these tips and you and your furry best friend are sure to enjoy plenty of pleasant drives together!
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