Destination dogs

TEXT: COURTENEY FERREIRA

TRAVELLING SAFELY IN A CAR WITH YOUR DOG

How often have you pulled up at a traffic light and looked over to see a big dog in the tiny hatchback next to you, staring out the window and decorating it with his nose prints? Or, how about that time you drove back from the beach behind a bakkie with a few dogs in the back? We probably smiled and remarked how ‘cute’ this all was, but, unfortunately, travelling with dogs in this way is not at all safe.

Car safety is majorly overlooked by most of us as dog owners, with many of us entirely unaware of how to transport our dogs safely. Here we give you some top tips for travelling safely in the car with your dogs.

CAR SAFETY TIPS

1. Keep important information and contact details in the car: Using brightly coloured paper or card, make an emergency note informing the first responders that you are travelling with your dog or you may have pets left alone at home. You can include your personal information on this card as well as your pet’s name and emergency contacts or vet’s contact details in case your pet needs emergency care. You can add in, “I have pets at home or travelling with me. Please get in touch with these people if I am injured.”

A doggy seatbelt!

2. Rein it in! Although it might seem cute seeing your dog’s ears flapping in the wind, allowing your dog to dangle out of your car window is extremely dangerous. Wind and debris can cause serious injuries to their face and eyes and the dog can prove a real distraction for you as the driver.

3. Harnesses and seatbelts: Safety restraints in the form of seatbelts are (hopefully) non-negotiable when travelling in a car, especially when transporting children. Why should our dogs be any different? You may have seen pet seatbelts in your local pet store or veterinary clinic, but bear in mind not all restraints are created equal. Plastic buckles can snap or break. Anything holding your dog in the seat should not be plastic. Instead opt for a belt with a metal buckle, and look at the stitching and material used to make the seatbelt. Using a harness with wide, padded straps with the seatbelt will distribute forces more evenly than a thinner one in the event of a collision. NOTE: It is also safer to harness your dog in the back seat to avoid any possible injury from the front airbags.

DID YOU KNOW In a car crash, a 15kg dog becomes a 500kg projectile when travelling at a mere 48km/h.

4. Crates: A solid and secure travel crate is often the safest place in your car for your dog. How do you know if your crate is sturdy enough? Ask yourself if it will maintain its structural integrity if it were involved in an impact of sorts. A cheap plastic crate won’t offer the same protection as a thicker, stronger one. Also, consider how you will get your dog out of the crate in the event of a crash, as some crates have one door while others may have more. Never place the crate on the passenger seat as the airbags could cause serious injury should you be in a collision. The crate is safest either in the footwell against the passenger seat or braced against the back of the front seats on the floor.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

Next time your beloved Bingo joins you on a trip, be it down to the coast on holiday or just around the block, make sure you have taken the necessary safety precautions to keep you both safe.

TOP TIP

Travelling in a crate can benefit dogs suffering from travel sickness. Get your dog used to being in a crate by letting them spend short periods in it and rewarding them with tasty treats and lots of praise.