Tip 11 - TRAVEL

Car Travel Safety

Here are some tips to keep your pet safe on your next road trip:

1. We all grin when we pass a car with a dog holding its head out the window, tongue lolling, a big grin on his face as he enjoys the wind. But think about something going into your eye at 50 mph. Crack the window so your dog can put their nose to it and sniff the air, but for safety's sake, keep them restrained with their heads inside.

2. There is no acceptable amount of time to leave your pet unattended in a car. Time-lapse photography of a car sitting in shade in the summer showed temperatures inside the car reaching 120 degrees in 12 minutes. Even a moving car can get too hot for small pets or brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs or pugs. Be sure and have water on hand. I recommend you keep a bottle of water in the freezer to take with you on hot days so you can offer your pet a cool refreshing drink.

3. Even if your dog is well-trained, always attach a lead to your pet before opening the car door. Road travel can be rough on pets and sometimes an eager dog will bolt out an open car door before you have a chance to leash him.

4. Be sure your pet's ID tags are current and in place before heading out, even for a short trip.