Traveling with your pooch can be loads of fun. Who better to take to the dog park or on a hiking expedition? When traveling, you want to keep your dog as safe as possible, while also protecting your new car smell and interior. There are some items and tips that can help you keep both your car and your dog in tip top shape!
If your pooch is comfortable with riding in a crate, then half the work is already completed for you. A proper carrier will provide safety and protection for your pet. Depending on the size of your pooch, the carrier can fit in a seat or in the back of your vehicle. Suitable carriers will have a latch that attaches to a seat belt. That way, your dog won’t be sliding all over the place. Your dog should have room to lie down and turn around in the carrier. Now that you feel sure that your pet is protected, what about your leather seats underneath the carrier? If your carrier has a rigid bottom, then you probably don’t want it scraping against the interior of your car. The solution is simple! Grab an old towel or blanket and place it beneath the carrier. If the towel or blanket causes the carrier to slide, then use a small rubber mat instead.
Some dogs just will not ride in a carrier, or some owners just don’t want their dogs to ride in a carrier. For these dogs and owners, there are other ways to transport your pooch. The Luxury Hammock Seat is a cover that protects your vehicle while providing a comfortable place for your pooch to ride. It attaches to the back seat and front seat head rests, making a hammock for your pet. It has slits where a seat belt can fit through, and it is easily washable.
If you want to protect your seats from pet hair and odors, then consider purchasing pet seat covers. Like cushions, the covers are soft and cover the bottom and backs of your seats. You can find covers to cover a single bucket seat or the full back seat. They have slits that allow seat belts to fit through, so you can still provide protection for your pooch. The seat covers are also machine washable.
If you have a van or SUV that has extra space behind the seat, then there are products available to line the area. The cargo liners are extra soft and grip to the floor of the vehicle. Be careful leaving your pooch in the back unprotected. Using a cargo liner and carrier is a safer travel idea.
If your dog travels freely in the cargo area, then you may want to consider purchasing a barrier. The Solvit Pet Net Barrier keeps your dog in the back of the vehicle while protecting the front. No more jumping over the seats! The net barrier is adjustable, so it will fit any vehicle, no matter the size. The mesh design enables a passenger in the vehicle to keep an eye on the pet. Combined with a cargo liner, barriers are great for quick trips to the dog park or veterinarian’s office.
For the smaller pooches, you can find booster seats that attach to your passenger seat. The boosters allow your dog to see out the front and side windows while providing padded protection. Depending on the style, the booster seat straps around the seat, uses the seat belt, or uses hooks and anchors to hold itself in place. Since your pooch is in the front seat with you, it makes it easier for you to keep an eye on him.
You want your pooch to travel with you, but you don’t want torn seats, doggy odors, or a hairy mess in your car. Depending on your preferences, there are available products you can use to protect your pooch and your vehicle. You can strap a carrier to a safety belt and pad the bottom, use a seat cover or a cargo liner, or use a booster seat to make traveling safer and easier. Check out all the possibilities before you choose a solution that is right for you.
This article was written by Jessica Taylor who writes for Discount-Pet-Mall.com a site featuring
stylish pet carriers,
collapsible dog crates and
dog car seat covers.
