With no regulations regarding dog safety in a car, it’s up to individual owners to ensure their pouch travels safely. Recently it has become compulsory for dogs travelling on utes, trailers or trucks to be restrained. This involves being tied up safely, or secured in a cage or crate to prevent the dog from falling off. There’s no such law regarding dogs travelling in cars though.
In an accident, a dog can be thrown from the car, or launched into someone else within the car. Both have the potential to cause serious injury and even death. Today we’re sharing five tips with you to help improve the safety of both your dog and passengers when travelling in a car.
5 Ways to Improve Dog Safety in a Car
Whether you’re off on holiday or just down the road, how you keep your dog safe in the car is worth considering. An unrestrained dog can move around the vehicle while it is moving, plus become a missile should the car stop suddenly. We take pet safety seriously, and would like to share with you six ways you can keep your dog safer when travelling in the car:
- Seat belts – humans have to wear them, and we believe dogs should too! Dog seat belts help confine your pouch to a specific seat and keep them securely restrained. If you have an SUV or hatchback and a larger dog, consider having a boot barrier installed instead.
- Heat – overheated dogs die, and your car can become a death trap during hot weather. Remember to never leave an unattended dog in your car, as temperatures can rise to dangerous levels within minutes.
- Booster seats – if your dog is too little to see out of the window, consider using a dog booster seat. This raises the level they sit at, letting them see out of the window. A much safer alternative to your pouch sitting on your lap.
- Dog harness – a harness is a safer alternative than a collar when restraining your dog in a car. A dog harness surrounds their chest, ensuring a larger body area is covered, which reduces the amount of injury to your dog in an accident. Using a collar can leave your dog with neck damage if that is the only restraint used in a vehicular accident. It may also cause choking if your dog falls off the seat unnoticed and is unable to get back up.
- Crate – if your dog is small and in the passenger area, or large in the boot, a dog crate is a good way to increase your dog’s safety. It is important to note that the crate itself must be secured with a seat belt or tie though, to prevent it from moving around.
If you need advice or assistance in choosing the right car safety products for your dog, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re more than happy to help.
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