We are one breath away from the day of the Holy Spirit and some of us will be going on a journey. Along with, of course, dog us. But in a car excursion there are hidden dangers for him that we have to watch out for.
Traveling with our beloved dog is more pleasant and more fun. If he even enjoys them, things are even better. But beyond our joy and excitement, there are also some serious dangers for him, which we do not always take into account.
By recognizing these risks and taking the necessary precautions, our journey will be comfortable and trouble-free.
Let’s look at some dangers that a trip with it hides for our dog car.
1. Open windows and front seat
Not a few people have their car windows open more or less, which is really fun for the dog as he can smell everything and see things better.
But this is something very dangerous. The animal it can be thrown out either out of fear or because it wants something to chase or simply because it will see it as a toy. And it can be hit by another car or lost. Many people here say that they trust their dog, that it is trained, that it will not do such a thing, or that it is used to travel, etc. Wrong. One can never be sure how one will react animal.
Also from the open windows our dog is exposed as something can get in, a small stone, an insect that will bite him or anything else, and get injured. Therefore, leave the window slightly open to let in some air.
Another very important one is the position we put our animal. How many times have we not seen cars with the dog sitting in the front seat? But this is dangerous. Because the front seat might look convenient, though it hides dangers. If, for example, airbags designed for adult occupants deploy in an accident, they can fatally injure the animal. But even if the issue of airbags does not come up, what we need to know is that one of the biggest risks for dogs in cars is injury during sudden stops or accidents.
For this, keep your pet in the back seat and put a dog-specific seat belt on it. There are also special seats for smaller dogs where they are kept safe. So they can look out the window without danger.
2. Temperature
As the days go by the weather gets warmer and warmer. It is a big mistake to leave your dog in the car during a stop, even if this stop is short. Nor should you leave him with the windows slightly open.
The most important thing is to understand what exactly happens in a dog’s body when he is exposed to a lot of heat.
On a day when the temperature outside, for example, is 22 degrees Celsius, inside a closed car it can reach 47 degrees. From 41 degrees and above the possibility of heat stroke in the animal is particularly high. And 50% of dogs that suffer heatstroke do not manage to survive. So we understand what can happen in higher temperatures that we often have in our country. Also short-headed dog breeds who have difficulty breathing and suffer greatly on hot days are at greater risk.
So take your animal with you even for a few minutes.
3. Driver distractions
An uncontrolled dog without a seat belt can make driving difficult and cause an accident. The free dogs can distract the driver. To chase, for example, objects in the car, thus increasing the possibility of accidents. Also a dog that moves freely back and forth in the car may either out of fear or joy and excitement want to climb into your lap, something very dangerous.
So the seat belt, as we said above, is more than necessary.
4. Possible stress
For some dogs, car rides are stressful. Traffic, sounds, other people or passing cars can cause them anxiety, leading to excessive barking, crying, palpitations, vomiting or even destructive behavior. Stressful car rides are exhausting for both you and your dog. And they can put you at risk.
To minimize this inconvenience consider taking frequent breaks to allow your dog to get fresh air and stretch. If the condition persists, you should have already spoken to your vet so that they have given you something to relax your animal.
Also try taking his blanket or favorite toy with him on the trip to help him feel comfortable. Stay quiet too, without shouting and fuss on the journey so that he will be so too. If he sees you stressed, he will react accordingly.
Traveling with our dog is beautiful. If we are even traveling alone, what could be better than our four-legged passenger? But the safety of both of you it should be your priority. By understanding and dealing with the risks of such a journey, you can ensure that he remains safe, comfortable and happy throughout your journey. So do you, of course.
