If you must travel together by car, talk to your veterinarian about possible solutions for car sickness or anxiety. If he's nervous you might want to consider finding a pet sitter or kennel for him instead. Take your dog for test drives before setting out on an epic road trip to gauge his comfort level in the car. Dogs can get carsick, become anxious or otherwise prefer to stay on solid ground. While many dogs are excited about taking a ride in the car, others are not interested. It's also for driver and passenger safety: If a dog gets nervous or excited on the road and begins bouncing around the car the distraction could cause an accident. A dog who's unrestrained in a crash could be ejected from the vehicle or injured by an airbag. We've all seen a dog with his head lolling out the window as his pet parent zips along in the passing lane, but letting a dog roam around your car is not safe. If that isn't an option, try a seat belt specially made for dogs. The safest way to travel with a dog in the car is to secure him in a crate. If you follow a few best practices for driving with dogs you can make the trip less stressful for both you and your dog. Adding a dog to your long-distance trips doesn't have to be difficult. The safest way to travel with a dog in the car is to be prepared. Do you have a similar checklist for your furry four-legged travel companion? With a few safety precautions and some advance preparation to prevent car ride anxiety and stomach upset, you’ll both be much more likely to enjoy the road trip.If you like to travel, you probably have a road trip checklist that includes snacks, water and entertainment for the long hours ahead. Just 15 minutes in a hot car can lead to brain damage.Īnd dogs can, and do, freeze to death when left alone in cars in winter.īottom line: Cars are one of the best ways to hit the road with your dog. On an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car hits 102 degrees within ten minutes, even with the windows cracked open. Safety Off The Roadĭon’t leave your dog in the car alone on cold or hot or even just warm days. And even sniffing the breeze from an open window can lead to a vet visit if a pebble or something from the road is kicked up into your dog’s eye. It’s too easy for a dog to jump or fall out of a truck bed. Not only can they distract you and cause an accident, but small pups can be killed by a deployed air bag.ĭon’t let your dog ride in the back of an open truck or hang their head out the window. Prevent the pile-up that could ensue if your dog flies out of the car and onto the roadĪt the very least, keep dogs out of the front seat, and definitely out of your lap.Protect you and your passengers from being hit by a flying dog.Protect your dog by keeping them from hitting the windshield or flying out of the car.Some people think this is a bit obsessive, but think about what happens if you brake suddenly or crash. If you use a crate, secure it so it doesn’t slide around the car. Use a safety harness, barrier, or crate to restrain your dog. (Picture Credit: Joseph Rovira / EyeEm/Getty Images) They can comfort your dog when their usual routine is disrupted. Take along bedding and toys from home for longer trips. Aim for a mealtime three to four hours before you leave, and if you need to feed them on the road, make a pit stop. A dog with a full tummy and a car in motion can be a bad combination. Try not to feed your dog right before you leave or when you’re on the road. A sudden switch can upset your dog’s stomach, which is not what you want when you’re stuck in the car together. If nervousness from being in the car is the culprit, try having your dog sit in the car without going anywhere, providing plenty of praise and treats then practice taking short trips that end someplace fun.īring your dog’s usual food on long trips. If simple motion sickness is the cause, ask your vet about anti-nausea medications. Make sure you make each trip pleasant don’t play the music too loudly, talk to them if they seem nervous, and make sure they’re comfortably settled. Within the first days of being home, take your dog somewhere fun in the car - to a park or a dog beach - so they start immediately associating the car with good things. If you’re just bringing your dog home for the first time, ask a family member to come along so they can sit next to your puppy or dog, cuddle them, and offer reassurance that they’ll survive this first trip.
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