Spring is the time right time to go out with your furry friend. May it be a short trip or a long ride with family and friends, bringing your dog along with you makes the trip more memorable. It's no surprise that there are many dog-friendly vacation spots everywhere you go.
Even though your pet will have fun when you take them out on a trip, there are precautions to take when driving with your pet. Here are some of the things that you need to avoid when taking your dog out on a car ride.
You Don't Have Things Prepared Prior to the Trip
Think of bringing your dog along with you on a ride just like kids. They get bored easily and will do anything to entertain themselves. Your dog may whine, bark, or do anything destructive in the car. These things will prevent you from driving safely. Have a kit specially made for your dog on a trip. Bring food, water, treats, pillows, blankets, and your dog's favorite toys.
Leave Your Dog in the Car
It's never a good idea to leave your dog in the car even if it will just be a few minutes. Your dog could get anxious and start messing up your car's interiors. Thieves may steal your precious pet. They could escape and wander off. The worst thing that could happen is dogs having a heat stroke. A lot of dog lives had been lost because dog owners think it is safe to leave their pet just for a few minutes. Even with the windows open, the temperature inside the car can rise to 20 degrees - that's just for a few minutes that you left them.
Let Your Dog Stick Their Head Out the Window
This is one of the favorite things dog does during car rides, and one of the most dangerous. It is easy for your pet to get eye damage from dust and dirt that flew through them. They can get slapped in the face with a tree branch and get them injured. Some dogs can even jump off the window when they see a squirrel or other dogs that have gone past them.
Let Your Dog Roam Freely Inside the Car
You don't put seatbelts in your pup and leave them just roaming around the car. You even allow your dog to sit to your lap while you drive. Having them roam freely while you drive is a huge distraction. What happens if you suddenly hit the brakes? Your dog could get hurt or injured. In fact, according to this article, 35mph accidents with a 60-pound dog can become a 2,700-pound projectile. This could injure you and your pet. Your pet could escape the vehicle causing more accidents.
You Let Your Dog Ride Shotgun
It might be fun to have your dog be just right beside you but what happens when you got involved in an accident. Yes, there will be airbags but airbags aren't designed to protect dogs. It could injure your pet or worse, suffocate and die.
Let Your Dog Ride in the Truck Bed
A lot of bad things could happen if you let your dog ride on the truck bed. The extreme temperature outdoors could make them sick. They could attempt to jump. They could get jarred from the restraints. This could lead to potentially injuring your pet.
Failing to update the Pet ID Tags or Pet Microchip
When you travel with your pet always assume the worse. There's always a risk that you could be separated from your furry friend. Being lost in an unfamiliar place, your dog could get scared and wander around. You'll have a higher chance of recovering your pet quickly if they have an updated id tag or better yet a pet microchip.
If you haven't had your pet microchipped, consider getting one before you travel. This tiny computer chip is roughly the size of a grain of rice and is placed under your pet's skin. The microchip contains your contact information and can be scanned by a veterinarian in case your pet got lost.
You Are Booking Your Hotel Room Last Minute
If you are booking a hotel room the minute you start your trip, you are going to have a lot of problems. Not all hotels are pet-friendly. If you don't book in advance, you'll ran out of pet-friendly hotels to stay. Avoid being left out in the cold with your pet and book in advance.
What mistakes have you made when traveling with your pet? Share us your story by leaving a comment below.