Traveling in the Car with Pets
With summer starting to pick up and the heat setting in, there will be a lot more pet owners and petsitters who will be taking trips large and small with pets in the hot car. So we turned to our friends over at AskPatty.com, the LARGEST source of automotive advice for women, to get their tips for driving with a pet, keeping cool and avoiding car sickness.
GET A HANDLE ON HEAT
“It’s vital to be aware of the dangers high summer heat poses for our pet dogs and cats,” advises Gerard Laheney, DVM, of North Shore Animal League America’s Lewyt Veterinary Medical Center. “We need to be proactive as temperatures soar. Panting is an inefficient means of releasing heat and animals don’t perspire as humans do. Therefore, they are more prone to feeling the effects of heat than we might realize. For animals, hydration and retreats from sunlight are essential.”
Dr. Laheney suggests never leaving your pet in the car. When the temperature is in the 70s and 80s, temperatures inside a parked car can top over 100 degrees in as little as 10 minutes. While it might be tempting to leave your pet in the car “just for a minute” while you pick up your dry-cleaning, you could be putting his life at risk.
COMBAT CAR SICKNESS & MAKE RIDES FUN
Car sickness is a very common incident, especially in puppies, but you don’t have to leave your little friend at home. Here are a few quick tips to help him enjoy riding in the car and to keep your upholstery clean.
- Get that feeling. Take your pup to the stationary car. Let him sniff and investigate the surrounding for a couple attempts. Then try with the engine so he’s familiar of a car engine sound. Reward each successful attempt.
- Practice mini-trips. Before vacationing with your dog, it’s wise to get him used to moving vehicles. Start by driving him around a block or two. Reward him each time he manages to stay collected after the short ride. Gradually prolong the ride. If a blaring siren passes by and he remains calm, reward him immediately with a tiny food treat and praises.
- Embark on pleasant destinations. Don’t let his first “bon voyage” be a trip to the vet. And certainly do not make going to the vet the only time your dog rides in the car! Embark on more pleasant rides to places like parks and beaches. Set him up for fun moments, not automotive anxiety.
- Keep an empty stomach. Don’t go for a joy ride after a heavy meal, dnd if you are embarking a long road trip, do not feed your dog six hour prior to it. However, do give him water as it won’t upset his stomach as much as food does. Also keep in mind that while most dogs travel best with empty stomach, others respond better after eating a light meal — especially dogs that have one meal per day.
- Cruise carefully. Be gentle on your brakes and easy on the curves. Your dog would feel less nausea by avoiding rocky and bumpy roads during his initial experiences.
- Breathe in fresh air. Fresh air is always welcoming for anyone who is suffering from carsickness, so crack the window for your pal. Just don’t leave the window open enough so that your dog can jump or fall out — keep it no more than half way down.
More tips on combating car sickness from Small Dog Paradise.
Happy travels!
May 15th, 2008 at 11:57 am
I just drove from Atlanta to Chicago and back with my 2year old Chihuahua..im glad he was ok with the long drive…i think he rather enjoyed it!