Car Travel Safety

The question of whether or not a dog (or other animal) should ever be left in a car is, to some, debatable.  But, once the facts are taken into consideration, the issue isn't up for debate.  You may be tempted to take your pet with you when the weather is nice, but here are some possible scenarios and what could happen as a result.

Take the following into consideration as you continue:

-Would you leave your baby or grandma in a car, even for a few minutes?

-The temperature inside a car can skyrocket quickly even if it's a cool day or you're parked in the shade.  The temperature inside a car on a 72 degree day can raise 44 degrees, to 116 degrees, in an hour, according to a Stanford University study ⁽¹⁾.  Pets are likely to get heat stroke at 110 degrees ⁽²⁾.  Pets left in vehicles can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage and can even die.  So, while it may seem like your pet would be okay in the car on a 72 degree day, you could be risking your dog's life. 

-Leaving your windows cracked won't likely make the car cool enough for your pet.

Scenario #1:  "I don't want to leave my dog at home while I run errands.  He'd love to get out of the house.  And he'll be fine - I'll only be a few minutes."

You're probably going to leave the window partially open for your pet even if it's not very hot outside.  There are people out there that snatch pets from cars.  Or, your pet could get out of the car or even attack someone.

The physiology of pets differs from that of a human.  They can't sweat like we do; in order to stay cool dogs pant and sweat through their paws.  Even if we don't think it's very hot, the temperature inside a car rises quickly.  If you have ever sat in a parked car on an 80 degree day, you know that it gets hot fast, sometimes even with the windows rolled down completely.  Now, imagine how much worse the experience would be with fur all over your body.

In addition to these possible results, here's another one:  What if you go to run your "quick" errand and you end up getting stuck longer than you expected?  It can happen.  What if a mistake happened at the bank and you had to stay there to figure it out?  What if the line at the grocery store was extremely long?  What if something stressful happens while in the store and you forget that you left your dog in the car?  Any number of things could happen; we all know life doesn't happen as planned - and your pet could be stuck out in the car. 

Scenario #2:  "I'll just leave the air conditioner on."

If you are thinking about leaving your pet in the car with the air conditioner on, consider several consequences of your actions:

-In some states it is illegal to leave a running car unattended.  Even if the car is locked, your unattended vehicle is an easy target for theft.  Your car, your pet, or both could be stolen.

-Your pet could bump into something causing anything from the car being turned off to rolling into traffic.  If your pet manages to turn off the car, the air conditioning stops with it.  Imagine your dog jumps over the seat and puts the car in drive.  Now both your pet and your car are in danger. 

-Leaving your car running opens up the possibility that other things could be operated by your unattended pet.  Pets could roll down power windows and escape or even roll themselves back up in the window causing them to be trapped or hurt.  It is impossible to list all of the unexpected outcomes, but I assure you that most of them would not be favorable.

-The air conditioner could fail causing hot air to be pumped into the car.

-The exhaust can seep back into the car causing carbon monoxide poisoning.  Just leaving your car running anywhere can expose people and/or pets to deadly gases, especially in small or enclosed spaces. 

When the odds are against you and you don't have a choice, what do you do?

When you have become displaced with your pet and actually are limited to keeping your pet (and yourself) in your car, you need to take necessary precautions to avoid the above scenarios.  Use the shade, share the responsibility, and/or board your pet whenever possible until your issues have been resolved.  This is often a short-term situation while attempting to reach a destination that can accommodate both you and your pet. 

If your pet does become overheated, there are some signs you should be aware of that indicate heat stress and a couple of things you can do to lower his core body temperature.  Panting, glazed eyes, rapid pulse, vomiting, dark coloration of the tongue or an unsteady gait can all be indicators of serious and fatal conditions that could lead to death.  If your pet does become overheated, you can attempt to lower their body temperature by applying cold towels or ice packs to their head, neck and chest, pouring cool water over their body, removing them from the vehicle and relocating to a nice shady area and encouraging them to drink small amounts of water or lick ice cubes.

Regardless of the scenario, if the situation arises and you feel your pet may have experienced some type of heat exposure, get them to a veterinarian a soon as possible. 

Do you really want to put your pet at risk?

Faced with the fact that it's not safe to leave a pet in the car even on a seemingly cool day, some pet owners are still going to think it's okay.  Keep in mind, though, laws are becoming stricter about pets being left in cars.  In some states, your window can be broken in order to get your pet out.

The most important thing to think about here is the safety of your pet.  Do you really want to do anything that can possibly put your pet at risk?

How you can help when you see a pet in a hot car:

·         Locate the owner and alert them of the situation and the dangers.

·         Alert store/restaurant managers if the pet is in their parking lot or nearby.

·         Call local animal control or the police.

To order flyers, window stickers, or posters to spread the word visit MyDogIsCool.com.

A short video by Simon Cowell for PETA:

(1)   MyDogIsCool.com, http://www.mydogiscool.com/x_car_study.php

Do you want to bring Fluffy along with you on a trip?  Are you moving and want to stop at a hotel along the way?  Are you afraid to leave them alone while you're gone?  You can bring your cat with you, but as we all know, cats can be difficult to accommodate, and because of that, special consideration should be given to how to travel with them.

The first thing to figure out before embarking on your trip is whether or not you can find a hotel that will accept your furry friend.  Some hotels say they accept pets but don't allow cats.  Others accept cats but require a deposit.  It's a good idea to find out before booking your hotel what their policy is to make sure there aren't any surprises when you arrive.  (Do a search on our website for pet-friendly hotels and then give the hotel a call to find out what their requirements are about cats.)

Cats are not known for liking to go on car rides (see video below), so it's important to know your cat and how they react to a car ride.  While a dog might kick back and relax, many cats will feel stressed and might show it by howling, panting (yes, cats can pant), acting panicky, etc.  They might associate being in the car with going to the vet, which is an unpleasant association for many animals (thermometer anyone?).

Here are some tips to make you and your cat's trip more enjoyable:

Tip #1.  They need to be kept in a kennel, and it might be a good idea to cover the kennel with a cloth or blanket.  It can also help make your cat more comfortable to put a blanket or towel inside of the kennel for them to lie on.

Tip #2.  Have your cat near enough (in a kennel, of course) so that you can reassure them.  They want to know that you're there and that you're going to protect them.

Tip #3.  Try to get your cat used to a kennel and used to riding in a car before a long trip.  (Some cats will never get used to it, but this can still help make the trip less traumatic.)

Tip #4.  Remember that cats are generally more sensitive to noises than dogs, so you should try to make the ride as quiet as possible and should probably avoid blasting your music.

Tip #5.  Talk to your vet to see if they have any suggestions.  They might want to give your cat something to make sure they stay calm.

Pet expert, Andrea Arden, discusses the importance of safely securing your pet when traveling by car to avoid distractions and the possibility of them getting hurt. She also mentions that some insurance companies offer pet injury coverage as well as some general pet travel tips and recommendations.

Margie Vincent-Roberts, owner of PetUtopia, presents various restraint products for avoiding the dangers of letting your pets ride loose in the car. Tips on things to avoid are discussed in addition to how to restrain your pet.