Pet Safety in Automobiles
Hot, Hot, Hot You just need to run in and grab some milk and bread from the grocery store. It's only 85 degrees (29 degrees Celsius) out, and you'll be gone for only a few minutes to make those quick purchases. Fido will be fine since you're cracking the windows a couple inches to allow for airflow, right? Wrong. It only takes 10 minutes for that car to heat up to more than 100 degrees (38 degrees Celsius), even with the windows open. What if you decide to grab a few more purchases than planned? Or you get stuck in the grocery store? If you spend even 30 minutes shopping, your car might be as hot as 120 degrees (49 degrees Celsius) by the time you return to it. Even a mild 70-degree (21 degree Celsius) day allows for a parked car's interior temperature to rise up to 20 degrees [source: ASPCA]. |
Though the accessories listed on the previous page can certainly keep your pet safe while the car is in motion -- a harness is the perfect safety belt, while a crate can keep a pet from becoming distracting -- you don't need to purchase anything to follow the most basic safety rule regarding pets and vehicles.
The number one rule of having a pet in a vehicle is that you can't leave the pet there. Your parked car is not an appropriate locale for your pet, period. It's not OK in the high heat of the summer or the dead of cold in the winter. You should never leave your dog in a truck's bed unattended -- it might become threatened by or threatening to strangers. Similarly, experts recommend you should never travel with your dog in the back of a pickup truck. Many dogs have been injured by falling out of open truck beds. The same goes for those dogs who love to stick their heads out the window -- experts say that's a no-no, too. While hanging his head out the window, your dog can get inner ear and lung infections from the flying dust and grime, as well as eye infections if something flies in his eyes [source: ASPCA]. It's also possible that your animal could be struck by something whizzing by.
It can seem like a lot to consider for your next drive with your pet, but as long as you plan a bit and take proper precautions, you and Sparky can have miles of fun on your next road trip.
For more pet travel information, visit the links on the next page.
