Pets And Cars: How To Keep Them Safe

There are plenty of mechanisms in every car to keep friends and family safe, but what about those little furry family members? They deserve just as much safety as the rest of us! Whether taking a quick drive to the vet or crossing town to go to a dog park, keeping your pet safe while in a vehicle is essential to their quality of life. Tens of thousands of pets are injured annually due to being unsafe during a vehicle accident, so understanding proper pet safety techniques can save a life. So, let’s look at the 3 main things you can do to keep your pet safe in your vehicle.

Buckle Up!

It seems basic, but it’s the truth: most people don’t think about the fact that you can buckle your pet into a seatbelt. There are seat belt harnesses for both cats and dogs that click into a car’s belt buckle, and they are one very lovely way to keep your pet safe. However, check with your vet about weight and body type requirements since these harnesses are not one-size-fits-all. If you have a smaller pet, however, don’t worry. Putting them in a carrier with excellent airflow and ventilation will provide the same protection.

Put Them In The Backseat

Like a small child, the safest place for your pet is right there in the backseat. Airbags were created with only humans in mind, and even then, those humans have to be at a specific height and weight requirement before they could sit in the front seat. If you have your pet in the front seat with you and get into a car accident, that airbag can downright crush them. Even in a carrier, your pet isn’t safe because the force of an airbag can break a nose and shatter faceplates. The carrier can be destroyed on impact, which negates the safety bubble you put around your pet. Keep your furry family members safe, buckle them in the backseat, or place their carrier on the floor behind the passenger’s seat.

And please, stop riding with your pet unrestrained in the bed of a truck. Do we have to break down why that’s an absolutely terrible idea?

Never Leave Your Pet Alone In The Car!

Again, just like children, don’t do it. Even if you’re only going into the store for a few minutes, never leave them in the vehicle by themselves. Temperatures climb quickly, which can devastate an animal locked in a car. Leaving anything in a hot car for much too long, especially pets, can result in dehydration, delirium, organ failure, and—if left long enough–death. So please, for their sake and yours, leave the errands for when you don’t have your pet with you.

Here at Jeff’s Auto Repair, we want every family member to be safe, including the cutest and furriest members. We want everyone to be safe behind the car’s wheel, so make sure to take the necessary precautions when traveling with your pet. If traveling long distances, ensure you’ve got some way to identify your pet in case they get loose. Microchipping is very popular now, but simply having pictures on hand and an I.D. tag on their collar with your phone number is good enough. As always, we here at Jeff’s Auto Repair are here for you, no matter the issue. So, if you have more questions on keeping your pet safe while driving, feel free to stop by and see us at 21701 Hwy 99, Lynnwood, WA 98036 or call us at (425) 771-4588. We will take the time to answer any and all of your questions as thoroughly as possible because your family’s safety is paramount.