Summer Car Travel with Pets

In a 2008 National Pet Owners Survey Conducted by the American Pet Products Association it was reported that 56% of pet owners do not secure their dog in a car. That seems like a pretty high number considering that seat belt laws for people have been in effect for years; and it would stand to reason that if it is important to buckle yourself in, it would be just as important to restrain your pet in a vehicle. However, that is not the case as evidenced by the number of pets we see at stop lights roaming free in the family vehicle or sitting in their owners lap while they are driving. When Dog is Your Co-Pilot - literally, you put yourself, your passengers and your pet at much greater risk in the event of an accident. A 60 lb. dog will carry the force of a 2,700 lb. projectile in a 35 mile an hour crash!

It is imperative that pets be properly restrained while traveling in cars. Unrestrained dogs and cats are more frequently thrown from the vehicle and are more likely to strike the windshield and suffer traumatic injuries and death. Even stopping short or swerving can cause an unrestrained pet to hit the dashboard, fall to the floor, or violently hit the back of the front seat, causing injury. Also, in the event of a crash, unrestrained pets can impede rescue efforts making it more difficult for help to reach all passengers, furry and human.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can safely restrain your pet and a number of products available to assure that you and your pets arrive safely at your destination.

If you own an SUV, Minivan, or Station Wagon the best option is to contain your pet in a crate in the back cargo area. The Midwest Pet Products SUV crate is designed specifically for this purpose. They are a bit taller and narrower then conventional crates so there is room to place two crates side by side or have one crate on board with the remaining space in the cargo unit available for storage. Another option available for the SUV owner is a barrier, which sections off the cargo area from the rest of your vehicle, providing a confined space for your pet(s) while traveling. This option works best if you are not carrying any cargo in the back. Pets and cargo do not always mix.

For those of us with sedan type vehicles or with pets too big to ride in cargo areas, think Mastiff or Great Dane, then a seat belt harness is the best option. The harness fits over the dog and attaches to the seat belt in most cars. The Kurgo Zip Line allows pets to have movement in the backseat so they can sightsee out of either the driver side or passenger side windows in the back. Finally, our smaller pets (weighing 20 lbs. or less) who also like to see where they are going, can be happily accommodated and safely secured with a harness in a booster seat.

Cherrybrook has a wide selection of automobile accessories to make traveling with your pet easier, safer, and more enjoyable for both of you. With pets safely restrained you can enjoy distraction free driving and everyone will arrive safely.

AN IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDER, NEVER LEAVE A PET UNATTENDED IN A VEHICLE. THE TEMPERATURE IN A CAR WILL INCREASE QUICKLY TO DANGEROUSLY HIGH LEVELS. HEAT STROKE AND DEATH CAN OCCUR IN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

written by Claudia Loomis