Travel companion: 5 essential tips for driving with your dog

There is no better travel companion than your dog. They don’t complain about how many stops you make or your choice of music. They’re just happy to be on the road with their best friend.

Unfortunately, if you don’t take time to prepare, you may be leaving your dog at risk of being harmed. What happens when you’re driving down the road and they spot a squirrel? If your windows are rolled too far down, or dogs aren’t secure in the car, they may jump out the window. This may not only injure them but also cause a car accident leaving you at fault.

With that in mind, before doing anything else, you’ll want to compare different insurance companies and make sure your policy covers your dog in an accident. Not all car insurance companies automatically insure pets, and some don’t offer it at all. If they don’t, then you may need to consider purchasing pet insurance to help pay for any medical expenses for your dog.

1. Clean out your car

If you spend a lot of time in your car, you know how easy it can be to toss that old water bottle in the back once you’re done with it or forget about the wrapper that fell behind your seat while you were driving. When traveling with your dog, you want to make sure that anything they can get into is thrown out.

Imagine driving down the road only to discover Fido just got the cap off a water bottle, and now there’s water all over your floorboard. Or worse, that your dog swallowed a bottle cap. By cleaning out your car before you leave, you can stop messes or potential dangers before they happen.

2. Secure your pet

Make sure your dog is secure in the back seat. Keeping your dog in the back seat is not only the best way to keep them secure but also protects you and other drivers.

A few years ago, there was a story in the news about a woman slamming on her breaks so hard that both she and her dog suffered injuries. Here are a few dog accessories you can use to secure your pet:

• Doggy harness seat belt
• Zipline harness
• Dog crate
• Plush carry box
• A dog guard
• Back seat hammock
• Back seat barrier

Any one of these options should be an excellent choice for both you and your dog.

3. Bring an extra leash and collar

As a pet owner, you know how essential an extra leash and collar can be. You have probably, at one time or another, experienced one breaking unexpectedly or becoming tangled.

This is why it’s essential to always have an extra one on hand. You can keep it in your glove box or trunk, so you know it’s always handy if you need it.

4. Check for motion sickness

Make some short journeys before going on a trip. You don’t want to set out on a trip and then discover that your dog gets sick in the car.

You can take preventative measures such as giving him medicine to control motion sickness if you know beforehand.

Taking a few short drives also helps acclimate your dog, so he’s comfortable in the car.

5. Never leave your dog alone in the car

People left dogs in hot cars with the window rolled down for years and never gave it a second thought.

However, in the last 10-15 years, we have learned this can have deadly consequences for your best friend.

Even if it’s only 75 degrees out with the sun shining, it can be much hotter inside your car, especially if the sun is shining. Not only can dogs get brain damage from being locked inside the vehicle, but they can also die.

Keep your travel companion safe

Dogs aren’t called man’s best friend for no reason. Your dog wants to be with you as much as you want to be with him. Therefore it’s essential to ensure both you and your travel companion have a safe and fun experience on your journey.

Is it better to have two dogs?