Car Safety -
Most dogs love to go for rides in cars and we all love to take our dogs out with us, but during the heat of the summer the car is not always the safest place for your dog.
You should never leave your dog unattended in a car. Even with windows cracked, and even on an outwardly nice day, temperatures in a car can quickly rise to 20 degrees above what the outdoor temperature is. If you will have to leave your dog in the car then you should not bring the dog along with you on your outing.
Cracked windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity for someone to steal your pet or your car.
It might be fun and cute for the dog to sit in your lap. However, your dog is not safe in this position and, in fact; you may endanger yourself and others if you are not able to drive properly. Many dogs have been injured or killed by airbags deployed in the front seat during an accident.
Just like we need to be safely secured in a car, so do our pets. They should travel in an appropriately sized crate or be fasten in by a Harness Seat Belt in the back seat. Dogadillo carries the Kurgo line of safety harnesses and uses them with Bella and Biscuit.
Dogs who like to stick their head out of car windows need to be careful because there are insects, gravel particles, and other flying debris that can cause eye injuries. If your dog likes to stick his head out the window getting him a pair of Doggles is a great idea. Not only will his eyes be protective from debris and UV rays Fido will be very trendy in his eyewear.
Pick – Up Trucks
There are many possible dangers for a dog riding in the back of an open pick-up, even if it is only for a few blocks. When riding in the hot summer sun, dogs can become overheated and suffer heatstroke. Insects, gravel particles, and other flying debris can cause eye injuries, or lodge in the throat or nasal passages and cause serious problems.
Sudden braking, swerving, or even hitting a pothole or bump in the road, can throw a dog out of a truck. It is not a good idea to attach a dog's lead or chain to the inside of an open pick-up truck. If a dog tries to jump out or is thrown from the truck, it could be hanged or seriously injured by being dragged along the road before the driver ever realizes what happened.
Never put a dog in a truck bed covered by a tarp or a metal or plastic shell made to fit right over the bed. Temperatures inside will quickly become unbearable in warm weather. Regardless of outdoor temperatures, a pet inside a covered truck bed without ventilation can become a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning.
If your dog must ride in the back of a pick-up truck, the dog should be put in a covered crate and securely fasten to the truck bed. Be sure to park in the shade and to provide the dog with water.
Covering a pick up truck bed with a fiberglass shell that has screened windows that can be opened for cross ventilation is a good way to safely transport pets in a pickup truck. The shell provides protection in bad weather and it can be locked so no one else can get to the dogs. Add blankets or a rubber bed liner for comfort and a secure crate for longer trips.
If there's no room for your dog to ride in the cab with you, and you can't provide the security of a camper shell or at least a secure crate for protection from the weather, you should leave your dog safely at home.
Travel Safety -
What’s a family vacation without your beloved dog? With more places allowing you to bring your dog with you on trips there are some things to think about to keep Fido safe on the journey.
When on a trip, it's tempting to skimp on the food and water to avoid extra pit stops. While you do want to cut back a little, just for your dog's comfort while on the go, do make sure your dog gets enough to drink and eat. If you are driving with a dog, you want to plan for plenty of stops to let him out to walk around, use the bathroom (don’t forget to carry Poop Bags) and to give him food and water. Check out our selection of collapsible Travel Bowls and Travel Feedbags as well as Poop Bag Dispensers.
Even if your dog has never walked on a lead, a trip is no time to go free and easy. All it takes is a cat darting into the highway to lure your dog to danger. Also, your dog (and you) will be in a strange place, which will make it that much harder to find her if she gets loose.
Sometimes even all the safety measures in the world are no match for a clever dog who is determined to explore the new area he is visiting. Before your trip, get your dog a properly fitting Collar and an ID Tag with plenty of contact information, we recommended your cell phone number with area code so that you can be reached while you are traveling.
Even though a lot of small dogs can fly with their owners in the cabin of the plane, most dogs have to fly in cargo with no climate controls. If you have to fly your dog you should do it during the spring and fall when the temperature isn't too hot or cold.
The products mentioned in this article can be found at www.dogadillo.com or in our dog store located in the Hill Country Galleria in Austin, Texas.
