How to Safely Secure Your Pets in the Car?
With impending Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s travel, families across the country will be packing up and buckling in to visit family and friends. Just like you would secure all of your suitcases and cargo, you also need to secure your pets.
Pack a Pet Travel Kit
Just like you pack a travel bag with supplies for yourself, your kids, and anyone else traveling with you, you also need to pack a travel kit for your pet. One of the most important and often overlooked items when packing is your pet’s medical records. Especially if you are traveling across state lines, or even international borders, you will need your pet’s medical records. Pets are just like people in that they can get sick more easily when they travel to a new environment. Having your pet’s records will ensure there are no issues with getting medical treatment. State, local, and national ordinances may also require any pets entering to have records of their vaccinations to enter the area.
Just like children, pets can get bored on long car rides. Keep them entertained by giving them a small supply of toys. Just make sure you avoid playing with them while you are driving.
Include pet waste bags and scoops in your travel kit as well. Having these handy will prove invaluable when your pet lets you know it is time to stop at the next rest stop. Not every rest stop or destination will have these supplies, so make sure you bring enough with you.
Make Sure Your Pets Have Food and Medicine
Your pets need medication just like you. When you pack your medicine, make sure you grab any of your pet’s medications that they will need while you are gone.
Depending on how long you are gone, you may need to pack lots of bags of food. These bags can get heavy and could present additional hazards if not properly secured. If you will be gone for a long time, you may want to pack enough food to reach your destination and then buy more. Make sure a store at your destination has the food you need in stock.
If you are traveling a long distance, put some food in your pet’s containment area in your car or schedule time to pull over and feed them. If you are traveling alone, do not fill up their food while trying to drive.
Keep Pets Restrained
If you are traveling alone with your pet, keep your pet restrained. Many people with small lap dogs or cats will keep them in the passenger seat or even on their lap, which is dangerous.
If you have a small dog, you can get a dog seat that straps in similar to a child seat. If you have a larger dog, consider a traveling crate that you keep in the back seat of your car. Make it comfortable for your pet, providing the crate with toys and a soft place to sit or lay.
If your pet is moving around the car freely, that presents hazards not only to them but also to you and your other passengers. While it may be fun for passengers to play with your pet while traveling, do not let your pet roam free in the vehicle while traveling. If you get into an accident, your pet could be seriously injured if they are not restrained. Your pet could also cause you to get into an accident by distracting you. Either scenario could end tragically.
Do not restrain your pet by tying their leash to a seatbelt or other spot in your car. This could cause them to choke or even suffer catastrophic and deadly neck injuries in the event of an accident. Use the right tools at your disposal to ensure your pet’s safety.
Keep Windows Up
Restraints can prevent pets from being a distraction, especially if you have a dog that likes to stick its head out the window of your moving vehicle. If you let your pet stick their head out of the window, you will constantly be trying to secure them so that they do not fall or jump out of the car while moving.
Keeping your windows up will also keep your car running better. Especially in the summer months, your car’s air conditioning will work hard. Keeping your windows up reduces some of the strain on your vehicle. As a bonus, you will get better gas mileage.
Install a Back Seat Barrier
Back seat barriers can help prevent larger pets from distracting you while you are driving. These barriers help keep your pet in the back seat and let you keep your focus on driving. Back seat barriers can also be good for pets who have trouble relaxing in a car. Many animals have difficulty riding in vehicles, especially on long trips, but using a barrier can give them a little breathing room while also preventing them from distracting you.
Back seat barriers also help keep your pet safe if you have to brake suddenly. While your pet may suffer minor injuries, depending on how quickly you have to stop, this will prevent more serious injuries and keep you and your passengers safe.
A Springfield Car Accident Lawyer at Kicklighter Law Will Help You When Other Drivers are Negligent
If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, speak with a Springfield car accident lawyer at Kicklighter Law today. To learn more about how we can help you, schedule your consultation by calling us at 912-754-6003 or contact us online. We proudly serve our Georgia neighbors in Springfield, Effingham County, Savannah, and the surrounding areas.