Going on a vacation or to your parent’s house in another state might mean you want to take your dog with you. Although this idea seems like a lot of fun, it comes with a lot of issues too. It’s fun having a road trip with your pet friend, but you must be prepared for what might come your way.
Dogs are not like humans, and they have their needs. As their friend and guardian, you must take care of them. At the same time, they can’t tell you if they have stomach problems, are thirsty, hungry, bored, or whatever it is. You need to know your pup well enough to see this through their reactions.
It is not easy to recognize the signs of discomfort when you’re driving. You need to pay attention to the road, and what’s happening behind is not a top priority. That’s why you need to be prepared for the occasion and undertake all precautions to handle the situation.
In this article, we’re sharing five tips that will help you transport your dog from one place to another as safely as possible. Read if you want to learn more about how this should be done, and make sure that your dog enjoys the ride!
1. Do often stops
Although people are used to driving long distances, we can’t say the same for dogs. Riding a car is not ordinary, and they don’t enjoy it no matter how much it looks like they are. After a couple of hours, they’ll want to stretch their legs and have a rest.
This is why you should often do stops and let them go out and have a run. This is going to help them retrieve their well-being. They’ll spend a little energy, and they’ll feel like themselves again. It doesn’t have to be a long stop; you can just have a few minutes for them to run around a field near the road.
2. Always use the seatbelt while traveling
In stores, you’ll find lots of safety items that help pets stay on that backseat without interfering with the driver. What you must do is buckle their leash to the seatbelt mechanism. This will prevent them from suddenly running from one place to another and distracting you from keeping your eyes on the road.
It’s crucial to know that this will not help them be safe during an eventual accident. In many cases, dogs suffer more than humans when they are involved in a car crash because cars are not designed for dogs’ safety. Look through the pet stores to find the optimal solution for your dog and make sure they are safe in that backseat.
3. Use a dog cage if it is needed
Some dogs are impossible to be kept still in the backseat. Hunting dogs, not fully trained and disobedient dogs, all have a problem driving in the car with you. We’ve all seen those Hollywood movies where pets are more obedient and intelligent than humans, but this is not always the case.
In situations like this, you’ll need a dog cage. Dog cages can be placed inside the car, or more conveniently, in the back of the truck. There are lots of different models to choose from depending on your needs. The best ones are the aluminum cages that are lightweight but also solid, which assures safe traveling. Take a look at this UTE dog box @ozytoolbox collection to see how many options there are.
4. Maintain a room temperature inside the vehicle
As humans, we can cope with high temperatures even above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but dogs are not like us. They will struggle to catch their breath in such high temperatures, which is you must turn your AC on and maintain the temperature at an optimal level.
Never leave your dog alone in the car in the summer because when there’s no air breeze and no AC to cool the car off, the temperature will instantly rise. This may cause instant dehydration and severe health problems for your dog.
5. Always have a personal water source
Another cool tip to keep your dog happy during the trip is to have a personal water source to give them while riding. Like humans, dogs also get accustomed to one water source, and they might feel stomach trouble when drinking from another place.
If you combine this with the driving and the car’s shaking, you might need to clean the vehicle from dog vomit. That’s why it’s best to carry a few bottles of water that your pet is used to drink. This will keep their stomach happy.
It is also crucial not to give them water nor food while driving. Always stop at a place meant for this, take the dog out, and offer them food and water.
