Dog Safety

For many people, dogs aren't just companions; they're important members of the family. So, it's not surprising that more and more people choose to travel with their dogs.

We've all seen dogs hanging their heads out car windows or riding in the backs of pickup trucks. Dogs that travel that way are at risk of serious injury or even death. Dust and other airborne debris traveling at the speed of a moving vehicle can cause serious damage to dog eyes and ears. Worse, dogs sometimes jump from a window or truck bed. If they luck out and land safely, they still may be struck by another vehicle, or run and become lost. Many dogs are killed or badly injured this way every year. We practice auto safety for our children and ourselves. Our dogs deserve as much.

The safest way for a dog to travel is in a secure crate. If you are involved in an accident, your pup is much safer in a crate than loose or even in a safety harness. The crate, especially a plastic airline crate, will protect your dog from injuries on impact and keep the dog secure in the aftermath. More than one dog has survived a car accident and then been killed on the road when he slips out an open car door. If you are injured in an accident, emergency personnel won't have to worry about getting past your dog to help you if he's crated.

Never let your dog ride in the front seat of a vehicle with air bags. Dogs, like small children, can be killed or injured by deploying air bags.

A doggy seatbelt - a harness arrangement that fastens to the car's seatbelt - is a reasonably good alternative to a crate, although it won't provide as much protection.

Before you decide to take your dog along on a trip, whether it's a 20-minute errand or a 2-week vacation, be sure that your dog can go with you when you leave the car. In only a few minutes, the temperature in a closed car can rise high enough to kill your dog or cause permanent damage, even with the windows partially open. Try sitting in a closed car with the window just cracked. If you're uncomfortable, your dog will be more so because he isn't as efficient as a human being at cooling himself. Hyperthermia, or overheating, can be fatal to a dog. If you won't be able to take your dog out of the car with you, leave him at home.

Heat kills

When the outside temperature is 78°F, a closed vehicle will reach 90°F in 5 minutes, and 110°F in 25 minutes. Even a few minutes in a hot car can kill your dog or cause irreversible damage.

Get your dogs used to the car and make them feel comfortable.

Trip Anxiety

Often, the only time dogs ride in a vehicle is when they're visiting the vet or groomer - so they may not always associate a vehicle ride with positive feelings and may even be afraid to ride in the car. Teach your dog that rides can be fun by taking them for short road trips to a dog park, a friend's house for a play date, or just to a new place to take a long walk.

If your pet's anxiety persists, ask your vet about over-the-counter products that can help reduce stress and anxiety.

If you plan to keep your dog in a travel crate while riding, it's important that you familiarize your dog with its crate by having it rest inside the crate around the house - the more familiar dogs are with their surroundings, the more comfortable and secure they'll be once inside the car.

Some dogs tend to get car sick. Try not to feed them for a few of hours before the trip.