Dog car travel can be a great experience if you make sure you and your dog are safe and comfortable.
It seems common sense not to leave your dog in a hot car or in the back of a fast moving pickup truck, yet thousands of dogs die every year because of these preventable incidents. Some local and state governments are now regulating how you can transport your dog in an open vehicle.
Tips for Dog Car Travel:
DO NOT LEAVE A DOG IN A CLOSED UNATTENDED CAR FOR ANY REASON FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. Even on cloudy or just warm days, leaving a dog in a closed car can be lethal.
Don’t leave your dog in a car unattended EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN.
Never let a dog sit in your lap while you’re driving - this could be a recipe for disaster.
Keep the child safety window lock in locked position to keep your dog from inadvertently stepping on the electric window button and trapping its head in the window.
Consider a dog seat belt or safety harness to ensure safety.
Try a crate or car seat for very active dogs who cannot remain still and calm while in the car – the crate can calm and comfort him.
Check with your Vet before giving any medications to dogs who get motion sickness when in the car.
What dog doesn’t love riding in the car with his head out the window? There have been many reported incidents of dogs getting hurt from flying debris. You have to weigh depriving your dog of such pure joy against the threat of possible injury – maybe compromise and give goggles a try to prevent injury. If it was good enough for Snoopy …
Make sure you have water available.
There is mixed advice on whether to feed a dog before a car trip. In some dogs it can lead to nausea and others it can settle their stomachs. It gets back to trial and error to determine which is better for your dog.
