Car Safety and Your Dog

Lots of people love to travel with their pets and lots of pets love going for car rides. Although it's great to have your furry friend riding shotgun with you or getting a good breeze out of the car window, there are precautions that should be taken to keep your pet safe in the event of a car accident or to prevent them from distracting you or jumping out of a car window. Unrestrained pets can be seriously injured or killed in

1) Number one rule is a given - Don't leave your car in a car unattended! I wouldn't recommend leaving the keys in the car with the AC running either because then someone can steal your car and your dog! You think "Oh, I'll just be five minutes" but it's not a risk worth taking. It's best to leave your pup at home if the place you are going is not dog friendly. Even if it's overcast, raining, or a cooler day - play it safe and don't risk your dog's life. Water and cracked windows will not prevent your dog from overheating.
2) When traveling on long car rides - don't forget to take frequent breaks. They will need frequent breaks for snacks, water, and potty breaks.Stopping every 2-3 hours is best to let them get out, do their business, and stretch their legs. Even if you can keep going, that doesn't mean you should.
3) Crash tested crates are the best option regarding your dog's safety in the car. 4Pets ProLine box or a carrier you can strap into the car seat belt are both a great choice.
4) A barrier or dog seat belt to keep the dog from being a distraction and secured in the event of an accident. It's best to keep dogs in the back seat rather than the front, despite how fun it might be to ride with your best friend by your side.
5) Lock your windows - as fun as it is for your pet to stick his head out the window, dogs can easily push the button accidentally to either put the window up or down, leaving it a hazard for them to either choke or jump out.
6) We know it's very tempting when it's nice outside to let your dog ride in the back of a pick up truck, but even when you think they won't jump out, it's best to not allow them to because they can easily jump out of a moving vehicle if they are startled or smell or see something tempting. If you wouldn't put your toddler back there, then don't put your dog back there.

Be sure to do extensive research on any car safety product before you buy it, as some may not be as good as advertised or could injure your pet. Check this website out for some more car safety ideas: https://thebark.com/content/7-ways-secure-your-dog-car

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