Trouble-Free Car Travel With Your Dog 

By Mary Jane Gallagher

Your four-legged friend is part of the family. The days when South Africans merely saw dogs as an effective deterrant to burglars are long gone. In fact, far from leaving the dog at home on guard when we go out, many of us like to take our cherished pooches with us. Dogs even like to tag along with their human parents for road trips. While hitting thre road with your furry friend is fun and memorable, it can present challenges, especially if the journey is long or the dog is unfamiliar with car travel. Dogs get restless and can present a distraction to the driver or get into other danger, for example by jumping on your lap or hanging their  heads out of the window. But with some basic planning and precautions, safet, calm and happy travel could be on the road ahead.

Choose a dog-friendly ride

Planning begins with your choice of car. Having the right ride is the key to trouble-free travel with your dog. It means you don’t have to worry about your dog feeling uncomfortable during the journey or presenting a safety risk to you or other road users. Your choice can also minimize the time spent cleaning up dog hairs or stains to upholstery. So what features are in dog-friendly cars? Look out things like foldable rear seats, window child locks and washable upholstery.

It might sound obvious, but also consider your dog’s size. You would be amazed how many people try to squeeze a large breed into a compact or sports car. There is no getting around the fact that a big dog needs a big car. Today, many owners choose an SUV because these have ample space for big dogs and even their crates. If you have family too, it’s worth reviewing the top-rated 3-rows SUVs. These models have seating for up to nine people, meaning your dog will have space during drives even when you’re traveling with the whole family. Plus, you can secure your dog in the third row or place the dog crate in the boot, reducing any chance of distraction. Some 3-row SUVs also have leather seats that are easy to clean, as well as other practical features such as high fuel efficiency, stability control and lane departure warnings.

Prepare Your Dog For The Trip

Is your dog anxious about traveling in the car for long hours? Days or weeks before your road trip, go on short distance road trips that give your furry friend positive experiences. You could drive to a fun hiking spot, dog park, or friend’s house. Take advantage of your road trip practices to familiarize your dog with the carrier or crate, dog car seat, or pet barrier. Familiarity with the car and carrier helps reduce anxiety and ensure the dog is safe.

Another crucial part of preparation is visiting a vet. Ask your dog’s vet how car rides might affect them and which vaccines your dog requires for travel? For example, in many regions of South Africa, you need a rabies certificate for your dog. Check your dog is up-to-date with the rabies vaccine and flea-preventative treatment. Don’t forget to request remedies to manage motion sickness and your dog’s overall wellbeing throughout the journey. Also, if you have not already done so, get your dog micro-chipped and attach an identification tag with your contact details, just in case your pet gets lost.

Use Pet-Specific Car Restraints 

You’ve trained your dog how to enjoy car rides and now it’s time to hit the road. Secure your furry friend with crash-tested safety crates or restraints. Restraints or harnesses work like seat belts to prevent your dog from being thrown outside or around inside the car during a collision. Whether in a crate or restrained in a car seat, your dog can’t distract you by jumping on the passenger seat or on your lap while driving. They’ll also be prevented from putting their heads out the window, reducing the risk of being hit by other cars or thrown outside if  you swerve or collide with another vehicle.

Pack Essentials

First on the list are canned foods and treats. While you may want to feed your dog a few minutes before traveling, that could cause car sickness. You obviously don’t want to deal with nausea while on the road. So, carry familiar food and treats you can feed your furry friend later to avoid tummy problems linked to new foods. Your dog’s car travel pack should also include medications and supplements, toys, collapsible food and water bowls, and waste bags. You should always bring your dog’s medical records and proof of vaccination, a blanket, and an old towel for drying them after swimming or when it rains.

Chances are, you’re eager to go on a road trip with your furry friend, but you might also be worried that it could be a stressful experience. After all, dogs can be restless and start jumping and barking in the car. They might also put their head out the window. Fortunately, you can make car rides with dogs enjoyable and memorable by choosing the right car and preparing your pet for the trip. Restraining your dog in the car seat or in a crate and packing essentials also makes car travel with your dog trouble-free.