10 Tips for Traveling in a Pet Friendly Car

Traveling with pets can be a challenge but making sure your car or vehicle is pet friendly may help to alleviate some of the stress for you and your pet. A pet friendly car may even make traveling with your pet enjoyable and something to look forward to.

If it is possible, it is usually a good idea to have your pets start traveling in your car or vehicle when they are young, the greater frequency and length of time they have in the car will help them get used to traveling and by the time your pet is an adult, he or she may be an old pro at traveling.

Making sure your car is pet friendly is so important, when a car or vehicle is pet friendly it can lead to greater comfort for your pet and thus a more relaxed atmosphere.

Here you will find 10 tips for making your car or vehicle pet friendly so that traveling with your pets becomes a breeze.

Pet Friendly Car Tip #1: Keep Your Pet Cool

Cars or vehicles that have electric windows, sunroofs and air conditioning are means to keep your pet cool, which is imperative for your animal's good health. Various places in your car to get air flowing on and around your pet is excellent for successful pet friendly traveling.

Pet Friendly Car Tip #2: Find a Crate That Fits Your Pet and Your Car

One of the safest ways for your pet to ride in a car or vehicle is if your pet is in a crate and the crate is specifically designed to be used with the car seat belt. If a crate is not the best pet friendly travel option for your pet, there other safe options such as: a harness or seat restraints made for pet travel in a car.

Pet Friendly Car Tip #3: Protect Your Car Seats with Covers

One of the most difficult things to get off the car seats are pet hair, it sticks and does not want to let go. Purchasing car seat covers and using the covers when traveling with pets will save a lot of time on clean up and also the wear and tear on the car seats.

Pet Friendly Car Tip #4: Hang a Car Deodorizer

There are many options for making your car smell fresh and clean, keeping the car smelling fresh can be a challenge when traveling with pets. Some of the options you can choose to make your car smell good are: the small deodorizers that hang from the rear view mirror are great because they are out of the way and usually smell good. There are deodorizers that are made for the car to be placed underneath one of the front seats and also a dryer sheet underneath the front seat also does the trick of making the car smell good.

Pet Friendly Car Tip #5: Keep the Child Safety Locks On

The chances are slim but it is possible your pet could press on the electric window button causing the window to go down all the way and allowing enough space for your pet to jump out the window. Jumping out of a moving vehicle would most likely cause serious injury to your pet or even death. It is a good idea to make sure that child safety features are engaged in your car so that if your pet were to accidently push a button and make the window go down, it could only go down part-way.

Pet Friendly Car Tip #6: Keep All Immunizations Records and Vet Records in the Glove Compartment

Any records for your pet are safest in the glove compartment when traveling with pets. If you are traveling any length of time with your pet, it is always good to have records in case you are asked to show proof of rabies vaccinations or any other type of vaccinations. If your pet were to get sick while traveling and you need to take your pet to a vet that is not your regular veterinarian, he or she would appreciate being able to see the information from your regular veterinarian.

Pet Friendly Car Tip #7: Put a Familiar Toy in the Car

Your pet enjoys the familiarity of home especially when he or she is away from home. Place a favorite toy, blanket or pillow in the car with your pet so that your pet has the scent of home and the comfort of a favorite toy, blanket or pillow.

Pet Friendly Car Tip #8: Protect the Car Floors with Rubberized Floor Mats

Pets tend to carry dirt and snow on their paws and can bring that debris in your car, embedding it in the car floors. Placing rubberized floor mats in car floors will help to keep the dirt and dampness off the carpeting and rubberized floor mats can be easily hosed off.

Pet Friendly Car Tip #9: Keep the Back Seat Clean and Clear for Your Pet

If an accident were to occur and a pet is in the front seat, the airbags can cause great harm to a pet. The best place for your pet is in the back seat in an area that is clean and clear of any clutter items, the more room your pet has the better.

Pet Friendly Car Tip #10: Keep a Pet Travel Bag in the Trunk

Keep pet food, pet medications, leash, first aid kit and any other type of essentials for your pet in a travel type bag in your trunk. If all your pet items are in one place, they will be easy to find and will be able to be removed quickly.

Your vehicle can become a pet friendly car when you follow these 10 tips when traveling with pets, one of the greatest joys for pet owners is to be able to travel with their pets. Pet friendly travel should be comfortable, calm and most of all......fun!

Sources:
www.animalhumanesociety.org
www.aspca.org