8 Tips To Make Your Car Pet-Friendly

Taking your pet for a ride in the car is sometimes necessary and can be fun. However, there is a lot to consider. Of primary importance is safety: yours, your pet's, your human passengers' and the safety of the other people on the road. You also have to consider your pet's comfort and the cleanliness of your car. Making your car pet-friendly means less stress for everyone.

April 28, 2022 • BaxterBoo Team

1. Confine Your Pet

Don't allow your pet to sit on your lap while you are driving. This could be a dangerous distraction. Do not allow your pet to sit in a passenger's lap either. If there was a car accident, a dog or cat could be thrown from the passenger's hands, which could result in injuries to pets and human beings alike.

Do not allow your dog to stick his head out the window. Yes, it looks cute and dogs seem to enjoy it, but if you are traveling at high speeds, your dog could be injured by flying debris.

Do not allow pets to crawl around on the floor while you are driving. Even if they stay on the floor, which is by no means certain, they may distract you by crawling around under your feet. A dog or cat could inadvertently press the brake or accelerator, making control of the car difficult. Consider keeping your pet confined in a carrier or a kennel, especially for short trips.

2. Restrain Your Pet

It may not always be practical to keep your pet confined in a carrier during your trip, especially if you have a large dog. However, you should restrain her during the trip, both to keep her from distracting you by roaming around the cabin and to protect her from injury in case of an accident. A seat belt strap allows you to attach your dog's leash to the standard safety restraints in your vehicle, but the leash has to attach to a harness. It would not be safe to attach your dog's leash to the seat belt if the leash was attached to her collar.

3. Keep Your Pet in the Back

The back of the passenger cab is the safest place for children and pets alike. It is best to confine or restrain your pet if possible, but if not, you can use a barrier to keep him from coming up to the front.

Note that the general advice that the back of the vehicle is safest does not apply to pickup trucks. It is dangerous for a dog to ride in the cargo bed of a pickup. There are no restraints, so in an accident, he could be seriously injured. He could also be injured by flying debris even if there is no accident. He could also jump out of the back when the truck slows and get lost. The only circumstance in which it might be acceptable to put a dog in the cargo bed of a pickup truck is if it was enclosed, and even then, some of the other risks would persist. It is better for dogs to ride in the passenger compartment.

4. Engage Child Safety Locks

Child safety locks prevent a child from inadvertently opening the windows or doors of the vehicle by pressing or pulling on the controls without realizing what they do. A dog or cat could also press the buttons inadvertently and accidentally open the doors or windows, with potentially disastrous results. Engaging child safety locks prevents this from happening.

5. Invest in Seat Covers

Seat covers protect your car seats from your pet's shed fur, mud from her paws, or the occasional potty accident, which may be more likely if your pet is anxious about traveling even if she is otherwise well trained. A hammock seat cover helps to keep your pet safe in case of an accident in addition to protecting the upholstery. Bring along cleaning supplies so you can cope with any accidents that may occur.

6. Provide for Your Pet's Needs

If you're just taking a short trip around town, you probably don't have to worry about taking breaks to take care of your pet's needs. However, if you are taking a long road trip, you need to plan to take breaks so your pet can relieve himself. You should also bring bottled water and a travel bowl so that your pet can stay hydrated and bring along some dry snacks.

7. Choose a Vehicle Sized Appropriately to Your Pet

This is not an issue if you have a cat or a small dog, but if you have a large dog, a vehicle that is compact or sporty doesn't provide enough room. Because you can't put a dog in the cargo bed of a truck, even some pickup cabs may be a tight fit. Keep this in mind if you are thinking about buying a new vehicle in which you intend to transport your pet. You might want to opt for a van that allows you to move the seats around and possibly remove them completely.

8. Make Car Rides a Positive Experience

Part of the reason why pets get anxious during car rides is that they only seem to result in unpleasant things, such as vet visits. Help your pet to associate the car with positive things by taking her someplace fun or giving her some kind of treat when it is over.

When your pet is calm in the car, it is likely to make the trip more enjoyable for you too.