Car rides with your pet…safety is the key.

We all know that dogs love to hang their heads out of the window when riding in the car, but are we inadvertently placing our pets in danger when we allow them do this?

I like to watch my dog enjoy herself; however, I do not want her to get hurt. It is possible for a dog to get debris in its eye which can cause trauma and even loss of sight. There have also been reports of dogs receiving other types of injuries such as blunt trauma, while riding with their heads outside.

Cats too, can get into trouble while riding in cars. A cat that is allowed to ride freely in a car can crawl under the seat, or worse, can crawl under your feet, causing problems with the gas and brake pedals. This can lead to an accident that can cause injury to both you and your pet.

At Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul, we know that pets who are allowed to ride freely in the vehicle can also get loose or escape when the door opens and the humans get out. This can create a dangerous situation as we often exit our cars onto busy streets with lots of traffic.

In the interest of keeping our pets safe, here is a list of simple steps you can take to prevent you or your pet (or your car) from being injured…

• Keep your pet in a carrier while traveling.
• If a carrier is not an option, there are special pet restraints or seat belts.
• Never open the door of your vehicle if you pet is not leashed or properly restrained

We at Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul, would like to remind you to NEVER leave your pet in a warm or hot car unattended as this can lead to heatstroke. Heatstroke is a life threatening situation for pets.

If you are going to travel with your pet, make sure to do it safely. Remember, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul is always looking for ways to help you care for your animal friends.