Hyundai Dealer Near Tampa Bay Suggests a Few Ways to Keep Pets Safe in the Car

Apr 8, 2013

Your Hyundai dealer near Tampa Bay wants to make sure that you and other drivers know the best ways to keep your pets safe in the car. Whether you’re taking your dog on a road trip or just driving to the park, consider using these safety tips.

Tip #1 Don’t Let Them Sit in Your Lap

Your dog, regardless of its size, probably wants to sit in your lap while driving. You might find this annoying, or you might think it’s cute. Either way, it’s deadly dangerous.

A dog in your lap creates a distraction that makes you more likely to have an accident. To make matters even worse, the air bag that explodes from your steering wheel could seriously injure your pet. Depending on her size, the impact could even kill her.

Tip #2 Install a Cage for Large Dogs

Large dogs need plenty of room to stretch out and remain safe. If you have a station wagon, van, or other vehicle with plenty of room in back, consider installing a cage.

Cages aren’t the perfect solution (after all, the dog could get thrown against the cage wall during an accident), but they’re certainly better than letting your animal run free in the car.

You can make the cage safer and more comfortable by giving your dog blankets, pillows, and other soft items.

Tip #3 Use a Doggie Harness

Several companies make doggie harnesses that will attach to your car’s seatbelts. The harnesses wrap around the dog’s chest to help prevent injury during a wreck.

Make sure you choose a harness that fits your dog properly. These devices come in all sizes. As your dog’s physique changes during the years, you might need to get new harnesses. When a chubby ten-year-old can’t fit into the harness she wore as a spry two-year-old, you know it’s time for a bigger size.

Tip #4 Give Your Dog a Toy for the Journey

Keeping your dog occupied during the journey can reduce distractions that make it harder for you to drive and can keep the pet subdued so that she doesn’t cause any mischief.

Find a durable chew toy that you keep in the car. That way, your dog will know that taking a ride means chewing on that favorite toy.

Tip #5 Don’t Leave Your Dog in the Car

You’ve probably heard this a thousand times, but every year some poor dog dies from heat exhaustion because her owner didn’t understand the dangers of a hot car.

Even on seemingly cool days, cars can become extremely hot within a matter of minutes. Plus, your dog is wearing a fur coat at all times. That makes it even harder for her to stay cool when you leave her trapped in a warm car.

These are just a few ways that you can keep your pet safe when you take a trip in the car. Until you can commit to one of them, it’s best to leave your dog at home.