Traveling is often hard if you have a dog. You can’t be gone for too long, you don’t have anyone to look after it, or maybe you just feel unsettled because you’re leaving it behind. Anyhow, having a pet and traveling can be a difficult thing to synchronize. However, there is one solution you’re definitely going to like: take your dog with you!
Traveling with your pet can come with several extra responsibilities and things to consider. However, if you do it right, you’ll enjoy your time double as much. We give you tips so that you can take your dog on a roadtrip and do it safely!
Make sure your dog is safe inside the car
The number one rule to follow when traveling with your dog is to make sure it’s well tied. It should never sit freely inside the car, or things could go very wrong. You never know how a dog might react when faced with certain situations. Or you could be involved in a car accident, which can become much more serious than it should be if your dog is not tied up well.
Think about your safety
It cannot be sat on any of the front seats, lap or any other type of devices. This could, again, affect both your pet and your own security. If you tie your pooch properly you won’t have to keep worrying about what it’s doing or where it’s moving. You’ll feel much more relaxed.
A carrier is a good idea
People often opt for a carrier, which is a great option if placed properly. Never ever place it on a seat with a seatbelt, like people usually do. Instead, place it on the floor well fitted between the front and the back seat. It’s the safest option.
A double-hitch harness
If you don’t have a carrier, it’s not necessarily a problem. You can just use a harness which you can then fit into the car’s seatbelt hitch. The best choice is using a harness with a double hitch. One could easily break during collision.
The trunk of the car
If you’re still not convinced, you can always put your dog in the trunk of the car. But only as long as you have some type of separating device. The safest way is combining the separator with the carrier, and placing the carrier transversally to the direction of movement of the car.
No food before leaving
For the trip itself, we recommend you don’t feed your pooch right before leaving, in order to prevent car sickness. You’re also going to want to stop often enough to allow it to stretch its legs and drink some water. You don’t want your pooch feeling unwell and dehydrated!
Identification card
Lastly, don’t forget to take its identification card with you, this way you’ll prevent it from being stolen or getting lost. And never leave your dog in the car. You don’t want it to have to endure the heat.
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