You’re belted-in properly — what about man’s best friend?
by Lauren Fix, The Car Coach®
Unrestrained pets aren’t just another driving hazard, they’re a danger to passengers, the driver, other cars, and themselves. Remember, pets can disrupt your attention, but they can also become the victims of serious injury in an accident unless they’re properly secured.
Pet Safety Tips
Proper pet-restraint is critical to your best friend’s safety.
• Airbags deployed in the front seat could harm your pet. An unrestrained pet will be thrown about, potentially injuring a passenger during panic braking or in a collision. Pets should be restricted to the rear seat in pet harnesses or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
• Don't let your cat or dog run freely in the car. It's dangerous for everyone. Cats that especially dislike car rides often try to claw their way out, claw at you, or at the very worst, climb under your pedals. Always cage cats and secure their carriers on the rear floor.
• Don't let your dog hang his head out the window. He may love it, but it's an easy way for Rex to damage his eyes from flying dust, dirt, and debris.
• Don't smoke in the car. Just as cigarette smoke can increase nausea in humans, exposure to second-hand smoke similarly affects your pets, with the same risk of long-term lung damage.
• Don't let your dog or cat sit on your lap while you are in the driver's seat. It’s dangerous in a panic situation to both maintain control and maneuver around your pet.
• Never, ever leave an animal unintended inside a car on a very cold or hot day. Hundreds of animals are killed every year, some during suprisingly short periods of time.
Safe and secure
To ensure that your attention remains on your driving, always harness your pet in the rear seat. Here are a few guidelines to protect you and your pet while traveling to the veterinarian, groomer, or just on a pleasure trip with the family:
1.] Never let an animal run free in the bed of a pickup truck. This is the primary cause of death of animals in car accidents. Please cage your pets if they must be in the back of a pickup truck. Then tie the crate to the bed so it doesn’t move around in the bed of the truck.
2.] Small dogs should be caged, and the cage should be secured. Place it on the floor or, better yet, belt it to the rear seat. Never allow a little dog to ride on your lap or help you drive by putting its paws on top of the wheel. Yes, it is really cute, but if the airbags deploy, your small dog is extremely (and unfairly) vulnerable. Also, although little dogs enjoy riding in the area under the back window, it’s a dangerous place for them if you should brake suddenly.
3.] Purchase a safety harness for your pet constructed of strong, soft nylon webbing with restraints around the animal’s body and neck. There are hundreds of harnesses and attachments that fit seat belts, look online!
Ideally, your harnassed pet can lie down, sit up, or stand while remaining safely restrained. The belts should be fully adjustable and nonirritating. These convenient, safe, easy-to-use harnesses connect to any existing automobile seat belt. Some harnesses have dual purposes, and you can unhook your pet from the car and use the same harness with his leash for quick-change convenience.
Look at it this way — if adults and children shouldn’t ride unrestrained, neither should your best friend. It only makes sense that if you care about the safety of your pets, you’ll take the time to “buckle” them properly.
The two pups above our my buddies. Petey is the brown dog and Chloe the white one. I posted this article cause I feel that our animals are very important to us. I wanted to stress the proper way to keep your animals safe as well as yourself. Post pictures of your pets I would love to see them!!
PS Petey and Chloe aren't normally that good!!
Til Next Blog,
Charlie
