Car Safety Tips for Dogs

It's an iconic image of freedom:  a dog with its head sticking out of the window. But, we may be putting ourselves and our pet at risk by not buckling them up as well.

When Humans and Dogs Collide

A car traveling at 30 mph can result in a 60-pound dog  (such as a  medium-sized Boxer or a  smaller Labrador Retriever) crashing into the windshield, seat, or another passenger with an impact of 2,700 pounds, according to Bark Buckle UP, a pet safety advocacy group based in San Diego, Calif. The risks, of course, increase at higher travel speeds.

“Few people understand that a 27 kilogram dog becomes more than 1.2 tonnes of mass in a vehicle travelling at just 55 km/h,” said Christina Selter, Founder of Bark Buckle UP.  “In a frontal collision, an unrestrained pet can become a serious safety hazard. Things can get even worse for emergency responders who are the first on the scene of a collision. An unrestrained dog can be a danger to them and, if loose, can cause other vehicles to collide on the road.”

Selter's campaign has been so well received that Bark Buckle UP is expanding into Canada.

Dog are Distracting

Additional dangers posed by unrestrained animals include distracting the driver, or escaping the vehicle and causing a collision on the road. In addition, keep in mind that if the driver is perceived to be in danger after an accident, a protective dog might fend off would-be rescuers.

While there are no specific stats for Canadian traveling with their dogs, Stats Canada did report that in 2006 there were over 144,000 car accidents and over 159,000 injuries. The Travel Industry Association reports 29.1 million U.S. adults have traveled with a pet with 67 percent of that by car or truck.

Car Companies Responding

Car companies are even getting into the pet travel trend.  Volvo offers an optional, factory-installed cage. Subaru has a gate preventing pets from entering the main passenger area, and Saab has a metal cargo guard in some car models. Eager to follow the trend, the auto insurance industry now offers policies for pets. Ths 2009 Bark Buckle UP Pet Safe Choice Award fwas recently awarded to the GMC Acadia crossover.

Buckle up

Many restraints are available for purchase, from harnesses to car seats, safety belts, and fencing. Some carriers are even temperature-controlled for traveling in extreme climates.

There are many products on the market offering pet harnesses and seatbeatls. It pays to shop around. Bark Buckle UP does feature some products that have been tested for quality and safety. Popular products include:

• Small pet: Sleepypod is a pet bed that combines a bed and travel carrier. It can be strapped into a car seat or used on airplanes.
• Large dog: Kurgo's safety harness.
• Seatbelts for Dogs is a popular Canadian company.
• Accessory for SUV: The Pet Buckle Truck Tether keeps your dog securely restrained while traveling

Basic Travel Tips

Once you have your seating arrangements covered, here are some other tips to consider before hitting the road:

• Make sure your pet is well groomed (not itchy or dirty).
• Take along some comforts of home - bed, blanket, toys, litter box.
• Rather than buying new types of food, carry your pet's familiar food from home when practical.
• Have a pet first aid kit for emergencies.
• Don't let your dog hang its head outside of the window. Flying particles of dirt can injure its eyes and nose while excessive amounts of cold air can injure the lungs.

• Never leave your pet in the car. In the summer your car heats up into a death-trap sooner that you think, despite leaving the windows open and parking in a shady spot. In winter, plummeting temperatures can cause your dog to freeze.
• Dogs can can suffer from motion-sickness. Consult your vet for further advice.

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  Reprinted with permission from WebVet, LLC. This article and other great information for pet owners can be found at www.webvet.com.