Pets are family, and you always want the best for them. Vet visits are inevitable, and it’s always fun to take your furry friends on road trips. Sure, it’s easy to imagine your beloved animals being carefree and looking out the window with their fur blowing behind them, but it’s not safe. The caveat for taking your pets on car rides is that the ride must be safe and comfortable for them.
Just like humans, animals get sick, stressed, and injured. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure that your vehicle is pet-friendly. Here are some tips you should check out.
Upgrade Your Upholstery
One of the most noticeable things you see when traveling with furry pets is how much they shed inside the car. You can quickly find pet hair on car seats and mats that are covered in carpet or cloth. Consider reupholstering with leather seat covers because they’re easier to clean.
You can put a special seat cover where your pet usually sits or, as a temporary measure, put down a blanket. Ideally, waterproof seat covers are the best. Putting all these new measures will also protect your interior from scratches, tears, and stains.
Waterproof Floor Mats
The car’s floor mats are one of the first things that get dirty. Apart from shoes mudded with mud and dirt, there’s also your pets and their fur. The upkeep of cleaning floor mats can be annoying since they pick up filth so much.
If you use the car daily, you may benefit from investing in waterproof floor mats like those from WeatherTech. The mat goes on top of the existing floor mats. The raised edges prevent liquids and dirt from settling on the carpet surface, making cleanup easy. Using a floor mat doesn’t eliminate the task of cleaning your car’s floor, but it helps keep most of the nasty stuff away.
Ramps
Most people think that it’s enough for their pets to get in and out of the car by opening the door. The safest way for your furry friends to get in and out of the car is by providing them with a ramp.
Ramps work well for senior pets who are having mobility problems. Carrying your pet is an option, but a ramp is a great way to have them maintain some of their independence while keeping them mobile.
Pet Seat Belts
Seat belts were invented to make passengers more secure and safe when driving. Humans are mandated to wear these all the time, and your pets should be strapped in as well via their leash or harness. The seat belts will help prevent them from falling off the seat when the car stops abruptly and keep them in place during transit.
If your dog is in a car crate, ensure that it is secure before the start of the journey. An ideal pet crate should allow your pets to sit and lie down with no problems. It is important that the pets are well-ventilated too, so check them from time to time to ensure that they are comfortable.
Comforting Items
Vet visits and trips to the park don’t take a lot of time, but when you do go on long car rides, consider stocking up on comfort items for your pets. Food and water are mandatory things you should prep for these types of long rides. Make sure that you have a spillproof water bowl so your pet doesn’t get liquids everywhere. Consider carrying treats with you as well so you can reward your best bud for good behavior.
It gets boring during long stretches of driving, and you can bet that your pets feel it too. It can be stifling and uncomfortable sitting for long periods, so make sure to bring their favorite toys or blankets if there any. You can even bring a pheromone spray to calm your pets inside the car.
Additional Tips
When it’s a hot day, never leave your animal companions in the car without air-conditioning or cracking a window open. Temperatures can fluctuate easily during the summer, and it can be fatal for them. Accidents like these happen all the time with owners leaving their pets for a few minutes during pit stops where they need to buy snacks or go to the restroom. If you need to leave for a while, ask a companion to watch over your furry friend, and be sure to never leave the pets for long.
What other pet-friendly items should owners bring during car trips? Share your answers below.