Travel
season
has
arrived,
and
many
pet
owners
are
preparing
to
take
their
furry
friends
on
their
next
vacation.
However,
traveling
with
pets
requires
more
than
just
letting
Fido
hop
into
the
passenger
seat.
Keeping
your
pet
safe
while
driving
isn’t
difficult;
with
proper
supplies,
your
pet
can
stay
safe
while
driving
and
enjoy
the ride. Here’s How to set yourself and your pet up for a successful drive:
Familiarize Your Pets with Riding in the Car
Hopping
into
a
moving
vehicle
is
not
second
nature
to
pets.
For
many
animals,
the
movement
of
a
car
is
stressful
and
confusing.
It’s
critical
to
familiarize
your
pet
with this new environment before taking a long road trip. Here’s how to introduce your pets to the car:
Image Credit:
9436196
/
Pixabay
Exercise Pets Before Drives
A
well-exercised
pet
reduces
stress
responses
and
is
more
likely
to
stay
calm
in
a
new
environment.
Take
your
dog
for
a
15-minute
walk
around
the
block
before trying a trip in their car. A lengthy play session with their favorite toy can achieve similar results for cats or other animals.
Bring Familiar Toys or Blankets
Bring
your
pet's
favorite
toys
and
blankets
for
all
trips,
whether
it’s
the
first
or
hundredth
trip
in
the
car.
The
familiar
scents
of
home
and
the
comfort
of
a
toy
will help keep your furry friend calm during the drive.
Begin With Short Drives
You
don’t
want
to
take
your
pet
for
a
long
drive
the
first
time
they
are
ever
in
the
car.
Sure,
some
pets
may
acclimate
right
away,
but
the
experience
is
jarring and stressful for most pets.
Start
with
short
drives
down
the
street
and
back
home
before
building
up
to
a
few
blocks,
then
a
few
miles,
then
a
half-hour,
and
so
on
to
build
up
your
pet’s comfort with driving.
Play Light Music
Light
music
and
other
white
noise
can
help
reduce
a
pet’s
anxiety
during
a
drive.
Many
pet
owners
use
light
music
during
the
day
to
soothe
pets
while
the
house
is
empty,
and
music
can
achieve
similar
results
during
a
car
ride.
Try
to
play
more
calming
music
at
a
low-background
level
that
you
can
easily
talk
over.
Praise Your Pet
Training
your
pet
to
handle
car
rides
requires
the
same
praise
as
teaching
them
a
new
trick
or
potty
training.
Give
your
pets
positive
feedback
and
verbal
encouragement
while
driving.
If
you
have
a
passenger
with
you,
have
them
give
the
pet
treats
or
pets
while
driving.
Note
that
drivers
should
never
give
pets or treats while driving, which can create a dangerous distraction.
Image Credit:
EnriqueZavaleta
/
Pixabay
Treat Your Pets Like Passengers
When
traveling
with
pets,
owners
don’t
always
view
their
furry
friends
through
the
same
lens
as
a
human
passenger.
However,
the
AKC
and
the
American
Veterinary Medical Association emphasize that all owners should treat their pets like human passengers to ensure driver, passenger, and pet safety while driving.
Treating a pet like a passenger includes taking the following steps:
Engage Child Locks On Doors and Windows
Pets
are
just
as
likely
to
accidentally
engage
an
electric
window
while
traveling
as
children.
And,
despite
popular
belief,
a
stressed-out
pet
can
accidentally
open some car doors. So it’s best to engage child locks on rear doors and windows to prevent such an accident.
No Sticking Heads Out The Window
Though
a
happy
dog
sticking
its
head
out
the
window
seems
like
a
quintessential
road
trip
image,
allowing
your
dog
or
other
pets
to
do
this
can
result
in
injury. Likewise, you wouldn’t let your child stick their face out the window for fear of debris hitting them; don’t let your pet face that risk.
Don’t Let Pets Sit In Your Lap
Whether
in
the
passenger
seat,
backseat,
or
driver’s
seat,
you
should
not
let
your
pet
sit
in
your
lap.
In
the
case
of
an
animal
suddenly
reacting
aggressively
due
to
stress,
it
can
result
in
injury
to
you
or
the
animal.
Additionally,
you
risk
an
animal
having
an
accident
on
you
versus
the
seat.
Most
importantly, it is illegal to have pets in your lap while driving in several states.
Avoid the Front Seat
It’s
a
good
rule
of
thumb
to
treat
your
pet
like
a
child
passenger
when
selecting
their
seat
in
the
vehicle.
Avoid
allowing
your
pet
to
sit
in
the
front
seat
whenever possible; pet injuries and fatalities are more common in car accidents when pets ride in the front seat.
Don’t Keep Pets In Pickup Beds
Never let your pets ride in pickup beds - there’s no way to secure them, and the bed can heat up to dangerous levels in warmer temperatures.
Plan Pit Stops And Breaks
Pets require breaks on road trips just like humans do. They need a pit stop every hour or two to walk, use the bathroom, and eat.
Don’t Feed Them While The Car Is Moving
Don’t
let
your
pet
chow
down
on
a
bowl
of
food
or
water
when
driving.
If
a
pet
chokes,
you
may
not
notice
it.
Additionally,
stressed
animals
may
try
to
eat
to
soothe themselves and may end up with stomach aches.
Don’t Leave Pets In An Unattended Vehicle
Leaving
pets
in
an
unattended
vehicle
is
just
as
dangerous
as
leaving
a
child
in
a
similar
state.
You
should
never
leave
a
pet
unattended,
even
if
the
A/C
is
on. Also, it is illegal to leave pets in a car unattended in some states.
Image Credit:
David Poe
/
flickr
Select Safe Pet Restraints
When
driving
with
your
pet,
it’s
essential
that
you
keep
them
restrained
while
driving.
An
unrestrained
animal
can
cause
distractions,
get
in
the
way
of
you
and
the wheel, or injure themselves. Additionally, unrestrained animals are more likely to experience life-threatening injuries in a car accident.
Using
a
pet
restraint
or
harness
can
ensure
a
safe
ride
for
your
pet.
However,
not
all
restraints
are
crash-safe.
Look
for
restraints
with
a
high
rating
by
the
Center
for Pet Safety (CPS) for quality pet safety products.
Harnesses and Restraints
Harnesses
typically
wrap
around
a
pet’s
midsection
and
connect
to
a
car’s
seatbelt.
CPS-approved
harnesses
evenly
distribute
force
in
the
case
of
an
accident. Most harnesses have handles that allow you to get the pet out of the vehicle more easily.
Car-Specific Pet Beds
For
smaller
breeds
of
dogs,
cats,
or
similarly
sized
pets,
a
car-specific
pet
bed
can
provide
a
safe
driving
experience.
Pet
beds
specifically
designed
for
the
car usually have a zip-up pod for the animal to rest in, which connects to a seatbelt for safety. Look for CPS-approved beds when selecting a product.
Barriers
In
addition
to
restraints
or
car
beds,
pet
owners
can
consider
installing
a
pet
barrier
in
their
car.
Barriers
create
a
screen
between
the
front
seat
and
the
back, reducing distractions for the driver and preventing unrestrained pets from climbing into the front seat.
Image Credit:
StockSnap
/
Pixabay
What To Bring
When
driving
with
your
pet,
you
should
pack
a
kit
of
important
information,
first
aid,
and
other
supplies
to
ensure
a
safe
and
fun
experience
for
yourself
and
your
pet. Include the following in your travel kit:
Microchip information.
Vaccination records.
Health certificate (some states, airlines, and hotels require these.)
A crate for overnight stays.
List of veterinarians along your route.
Pet first aid kit.
Temporary information tags.
Pack water and snacks.
Pack mats, liners, or potty pads.
Set up a litter box for cats.
Bring potty bags for walks.
FAQs
Why Can’t I Leave My Pet In The Car?
Leaving
your
pet
in
a
vehicle
unattended
is
dangerous,
even
with
the
A/C
on.
It’s
not
uncommon
for
pets
to
experience
panic
at
being
left
in
the
car.
Additionally,
if
A/C
shuts
off
or
you
forget
to
leave
it
on,
you
may
unintentionally
expose
your
pet
to
extreme
temperatures
that
can
cause
illness
or
death.
Finally,
several
states
have made this illegal; doing so can result in legal repercussions.
Is It Illegal To Have Pets In The Front Seat?
In
many
states,
it
is
illegal
to
keep
pets
in
the
front
seat.
You
can
find
out
if
doing
so
in
your
home
state
or
any
travel
destinations
by
calling
the
local
Department
of Transportation.
Do Hotels Have Special Pet Requirements?
Yes,
most
hotels
have
special
pet
requirements,
and
not
all
hotels
allow
pets.
If
you
require
overnight
stays
during
your
road
trip,
check
with
the
hotel(s)
to
verify
any fees, rules, or information you need to stay there with your pet.
Do Pets Get Motion Sickness?
Yes, pets can experience motion sickness in a moving vehicle. Here are steps you can take to reduce motion sickness on long drives:
Limit food and water before trips.
Ask your veterinarian about anxiety and nausea medication.
Lower windows slightly for fresh air.
Keep the car cabin cool via cracked windows or A/C.
Use pet-specific pheromones while traveling to reduce stress.
By preparing yourself, your pet, and your vehicle for trips, you can ensure an enjoyable and safe experience for everyone.
Featured Image Credit: @ damedeeso / depositphotos lic # 247820446