Keeping Your Pets Safe While Driving

Proper pet safety while driving not only protects your pet—it can also protect you, your passengers, and the other drivers on the road with you.

According to a study by AAA and Kurgo Pet Products, although 84 percent of pet owners have driven with their pet in their car, only 16 percent have used a pet restraint.

This article explains how to keep your pets calm, comfortable, and safe while driving.

Select Safe Pet Restraints

Many pet restraints are useless in car accidents. In fact, according to the Center for Pet Safety (CPS), almost all pet restraints failed horribly in vehicle crash tests. Plastic crates, in particular, are among the worst. This is because the plastic often is brittle and will splinter into sharp pieces in an accident. In crash tests, dummy pets were easily ejected through the plastic walls of the crates. Fortunately, there were two clear winners from the CPS’s vehicle pet restraint test.

The Sleepypod Clickit Sport and Clickit Utility harnesses both received five-star crash test ratings from the CPS. These harnesses wrap around your pet’s midsection, which helps to distribute force in the event that a car accident propels your pet in any direction. The harness attaches to the seat belt at three places. This also helps to distribute force and maintain the integrity of the harness. On the back of the harness is a handle which allows you to better control your pet when getting him in and out of the car. These harnesses are ideal for small to large dogs.

For other pets, such as cats and smaller dogs, the CPS recommends the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed. With the Mobile Pet Bed, owners can place their pets inside the pod and restrain the pod with a seat belt. The outside of the pod is made from breathable luggage-grade nylon and has a firm protective base. Concerned your cat may claw up the nylon? Fear not. The inside of the pod is made from ballistic-strength nylon. There’s also a comfortable shoulder harness for easy carrying.

Proper restraints will not only keep your pets safe. They will also keep you, your passengers and the other drivers on the road safe as well. An anxious or excited pet that’s unrestrained can be a distraction for the driver. And distracted driving is one of the leading causes for car accidents.

Introduce Your Pets to Riding in the Car

It’s easiest to acclimate your pets to your car when they are young, but even older pets can be trained to relax while driving.

To help your pet feel more at ease in your car, have them sit in your car while it is parked in your garage or driveway. If you can, place them in their restraint or pod. However, if that makes them too uneasy, place them in the backseat without the restraint. Keep them calm by sitting with them, petting them, and giving them a few treats. Make it a habit to do this several times a week.

If your pet is comfortable sitting in the parked car with their restraint on or in their pod, you can try driving with them, but keep your trips short. Perhaps take them up the street and then back home. Roll the backseat windows down a crack so that fresh air can flow in. Though be sure the windows aren’t open so much that your pet could escape.

If there are no protests, you can extend the trip by driving them around the neighborhood. To add variety to their day, take your pet someplace they may enjoy, such as the park, the beach, or to visit one of their furry friends. This will help to break the association between your car and the veterinarian.

Determine What’s Causing Unease

If your pets become uneasy while riding in the car, it is most likely because they are anxious and/or motion sick. Young pets, such as puppies, are especially prone to motion sickness. This is because the structures in their ears that control balance are not yet fully developed. Vomiting, excessive drooling, crying, inactivity, and unease are all signs of motion sickness in pets.

Your pets may also become anxious when riding in a car. This could be because car rides usually end at the vets but also because of unfamiliarity with the car, past motion sickness, or even previous car accidents.

If your pet is suffering from motion sickness, try Happy Traveler capsules. These capsules contain natural ingredients such as St. John’s Wart and Valerian that can help settle an upset stomach and calm a pet down. The effects last about 2 hours. Consider hiding these capsules in treats to administer to your pet.

If your dog suffers from anxiety, you can try Ceva Animal Health’s Adaptil spray, which contains calming pheromones that only dogs can sense. Ceva also makes a similar spray for cats called Comfort Zone Feliway. Before you try one of these products, talk to your vet if you believe your pet is suffering from motion sickness or anxiety.

Treat Your Pets Like Passengers

You wouldn’t want your human passengers to feel uncomfortable while riding in your car, would you? Of course you wouldn’t. And you wouldn’t want your pets to feel that way, either. Here are a few ways to help make your pets feel more comfortable and more like passengers (than cargo) when driving.

• On long drives, find a safe place to pull over so that they can stretch their legs. Be sure to leash them before letting them out of the car.
• Bring a bowl, water, and snacks so they can eat and drink. Just don’t let them eat or drink while the car is moving.
• Turn on the A/C or crack the windows to help keep them cool.

What to Avoid With Pet Passengers

• Never let your pets stick their heads out of the window while you’re driving. The strong air currents can blow irritants into their eyes and damage their mucous membranes.
• Never let your pet travel in the flatbed of a pickup truck.
• Likewise, never leave your pet in the flatbed of a parked pickup truck. The metal can become so hot that it can burn your pet’s feet and body.
• Never let your pet sit on your lap while you’re driving. This is illegal in some states.
• Never leave your pet in an unattended vehicle. Even with the windows down, the cabin of a car can reach extreme temperatures. This, too, is illegal in some states.

With the right equipment and enough practice, your pet can make a great traveling companion. Whether you’re driving to a fun destination like the dog park, or a not-so-fun one like the vet, your pet should be comfortable and safe. By following these instructions, you can help ensure your pet’s enjoyment while traveling.

Disclaimer: This article is meant for information purposes only. The Hartford does not endorse or have any association with the products and/or services referenced.