Dog Car Safety
After carefully choosing the perfect boarding kennel for your dog, take some time to make sure you reach it safely. Buckling up before starting a journey is part of the routine for most car owners; however, four legged passengers are often over looked.
In a crash, having your dog properly restrained could prevent serious injury to your pet and the other occupants of the car.
"At 30 mph, for example, a 50lb (22.5 kg) border collie would be thrown forward with a force equivalent to almost nine 12 stone men" (source: ROSPA).
Unrestrained dogs are not just at risk in an accident; they can also cause them. An unrestrained dog is a potential distraction to the driver. Even a normally well behaved dog may be startled and jump towards its owner for reassurance.
There are several options for improving the safety of your dog in a car:
Dog Car Safety Harness
A dog car safety harness (also called a dog seatbelt) goes around your dog's chest and shoulders and attaches to a standard car seatbelt. It is important to use a dog car harness not just a harness used for walks. Dog seatbelts are specially designed and padded to prevent injury to your dog in a crash. It is also important to buy one the right size for your dog's shape and weight. You will probably need to measure your dog to get the right fit.
You should not attach your dog to a seatbelt by its collar, in an accident your dog could get tangled up and strangled.
Pet Carrier
For small dogs a pet carrier provides a safe option. Pet carriers must be kept firmly in place by using a seat belt or placed in an area such as a footwell so it cannot move around in an accident. The carrier should be the correct size for the dog that is it for. Too large and the dog may be thrown the same as if lose in the car. Make sure the vent holes in an enclosed carrier are not covered when it is secured.
Dog Travel Crate
A travel cage or crate is a wire cage fitted in the boot of your car. They are available in a variety of sizes and must be the right size for your dog. Too large and your dog maybe the thrown around in an accident, too small and it will be uncomfortable to travel in. Make sure it is secured and cannot slide around.
Car Dog Guard
A dog guard prevents a dog from climbing into the front seat of a car and distracting the driver. It may not secure a dog in an accident though so should be used in conjunction with a safety harness.
Dogs and carriers should not be placed in seats with air bags fitted.