Transporting Your Dog Safely
Whether you’re transporting your dog for a quick trip to the vets or an adventure further afield, unsecured pets are an often-overlooked safety hazard. They can become a distraction and get themselves into trouble. During accidents, there's the potential for your pet to become a moving projectile, hurting themselves and other passengers. Here are a few tips from our vet team to keep you and your dog safe during your trip.
Put on your seat belt: Keeping your dog secure.
Much in the same way that we secure ourselves with a seatbelt, pets should be in either a confined area or attached with an adapted seatbelt. The Highway Code states that as a driver you have the responsibility to make sure that ‘dogs or other animals are suitably restrained’ when transporting your dog. This ensures they cannot distract you while driving or injure you or themselves.
The Highway Code recommends a seatbelt harness, a pet carrier, a cage/crate, or in the boot with a boot guard.
Harnesses, when attached to a seatbelt connector, distribute force across the chest and shoulder area. This is better than pulling on an isolated area around the neck. You can use hammock-type products in combination with a seatbelt connector to protect your seats from ever-present hair when transporting your dog. They also stop your pets from falling into the back seat footwells.
For smaller dogs like Chihuahuas, you have the option of a carrier. Depending on the results of the crash tests the carrier has undergone, it may be safest to keep them unstrapped to the seat. If you’ve put your pet in the front seat ensure to turn off the airbags. Otherwise, they could be injured – potentially lethally – by the force of the airbag expanding
In the case you have a larger dog, like a German Shepherd or Malamute, they may be more comfortable in the back of the car. You can use a dog crate which has been secured in the boot. Alternatively, let them be free in the back with a boot guard.
Where possible, try to find crash-tested products for transporting your dog safely. There is very limited regulated crash-testing for pet ‘accessories’ at the time of writing. However, the Center for Pet Safety in the USA is doing continuous testing to provide a base of knowledge.
Getting Comfortable: Keeping everyone happy
We love the wind in our hair (why else would convertibles be so popular!), and dogs are much the same. However, remember to keep the windows closed enough that there’s no risk of your pet jumping out. For extra ventilation, you can turn on the AC in your car – aiming it away from your dog's face. Closing the windows also prevents road debris from damaging your pets’ eyes.
Now is the perfect time to give your car a quick clean-up. Move any loose items that could become a danger in the case of an accident when transporting your dog. Groceries, tools, and items like antifreeze should be tucked away in an area away from the curious noses of your pets.
Some pups get anxious or car sick on their journeys. There are medications and behavioural modifications that can help reduce this. Have a chat with your vet, and they’ll be able to recommend what works best for you. Try to avoid feeding your dog right before the journey. Even with an iron stomach, it can be difficult to keep down a full meal in a car!
Enjoy the Ride!
When it comes to transporting dogs in cars, secure means safe. While your pet snoozes in the back seat with their harness, or in their crate, you can be sure that you’ve done what you need to keep them safe. With these tips in mind, you can have a comfortable ride with the knowledge that your pet is safe and spend your time excited for the trip instead.
