Having a dog does not mean that it should always be at home, or on a field. There are times when you may want to travel with him to another place, or you have to take him to the vet. But, How to take the dog in the car? Is it legal to do so? Can it be carried by one person?
If you wonder about this topic, below we will try to help you solve all the doubts that may arise about traveling with your dog in the car.
What the traffic law says
The first thing you should know is that it is the Traffic Law, specifically the Article 18.1 of the General Traffic Regulations, the one that regulates how to take your dog in the car, as well as other types of pets. In general, the article states that you should do it in such a way that you keep your "Own freedom of movement, the necessary change of vision and permanent attention to driving". In other words, you can travel with your pet as long as it is not a distraction or limits your driving.
Now, the article has not no clarification about the ways in which you should transport your dog. That is, it does not tell you if you should use a carrier, a harness, a seat belt, etc.
What do you need to take the dog in the car safely
Despite the fact that the law does not establish an obligation about the methods in which you have to travel with your dog, it is true that the DGT (General Directorate of Traffic) has published some recommendations for you to make it as safe as possible.
To do this, they recommend that the animal is not loose at any time. And they do not say it because it can at any moment pounce on the driver, or that it annoys him, but because, in the event of an accident, the animal will be thrown and his life will be in danger. If it is also in the rear, the impact will be against the front seats, causing the force to multiply and there is more damage for those who go in those seats.
That is why, depending on where you place it, the recommended security systems are:
If you're going to take him in the back seats
In case you carry it on the rear seats (which is normal), you can secure it with the following accessories.
Approved harness
In the market you will find two types of harnesses: the single and the double hook.
El One-hitch harness is attached with the seat belt. The problem it has is that, in the event of an impact, the buckle can break, leaving the animal free in the cabin, and thus could injure itself or those in front of it.
El double hitch harness is more effective, especially if you have a short connection system since, if there is an accident, the animal could not reach the front seats, and neither the dog nor the driver and passenger would suffer injuries from greater impact.
Now, whether you buy one or the other, it is very important that it be an approved harness because that way you make sure that it has been tested and that it meets all the safety requirements.
Dog seat belt
The dog seat belt is one of the restraint systems for traveling with your dog by car. These are characterized by a Buckle strap that clips onto the seat belt in such a way that the whole body of the dog is grasped.
Seat protector
This item is optional and does not help the safety of the animal. It is used to protect the seats from leaving hairs or scratching them. But it doesn't really deprive you of moving around the seats.
Carrier
El carrier is one of the perfect means of transport for the dog, because it will be protected and also you will feel calmer when being in a more limited space. Now, if you are going to take it in it, you should know that the best place to place it is on the floor of the rear seats. Between the front and rear seats.
In case it does not fit, because it is very large, then you will have to carry it in the trunk. Of course, place it in a transverse position to the direction of travel, and try to secure it so that it will not move when you go up hills or turn.
You should keep in mind that there are not carriers for all sizes of dogs, so if this is too big, instead of a benefit, it can become a torment.
If you are going to take it in the trunk
When your dog is big, the normal thing is that it ends up traveling in the trunk of the car. Many owners build in this area a kind of large cage-type carrier to be able to travel with the animals safely, but if this is not your case, we will give you an accessory to use.
Separation barrier
La dividing bar, also known as divider grid, It is placed on the car frame in such a way that the boot is separated from the rear seats. In this way, the dog cannot access that area and stays in the trunk.
In it it can be loose although it is advisable to hold it with a harness to limit its movements and especially for its safety in the event of an accident.
What to do if your dog gets dizzy in the car?
We should start by telling you that there are two types of dogs: those that get dizzy in cars and those that don't. If your dog is one of the first, you should not be scared, nor stress when you have to travel with him because many times you have solutions to avoid discomfort to your pet at the same time that you get rid of having to clean or see him badly.
Normally, it is said that 25% of dogs are prone to car sickness. And that implies that, after the dizziness, vomits come, which can be inside the car or outside it. Of all dogs, puppies are the ones that can have the most problems, especially because their auditory system is not yet well developed, which causes them to lose their balance when moving without them moving.
And what to do then? Well take note:
- Check with your vet. If dizziness is common, you can talk to your vet to see if there are any medications that will help your dog tolerate travel.
- Try to get used to it. It starts by opening the car so that he can get in whenever he wants and see it as something natural. Sometimes putting in some toys or the smell of the dog helps to calm them down.
- Start with short trips. Before taking a long trip, you need the animal to be calm, and not to get dizzy, or at least make it less. Therefore, you can start it with short trips.
- Control the temperature. Try not to exceed 22 degrees so that the animal feels comfortable.
- Don't drive too fast.
Other tips to keep in mind when traveling with your dog by car
We leave you Other tips that can come in handy when traveling with your dog by car:
- If the dog is small, put it in the carrier. If it is large, in a breastplate with hooks. This way they won't move too much.
- Try not to give him food before going on a trip. In fact, the last meal has to be 3-4 hours before starting the trip.
- If he gets very nervous and is not sitting still in the car, ask your vet if there is any medication you can give him.
- Try to tire him out before the trip, play with him and try to spend a few hours making him burn energy. So when you get into the car, hopefully you will be so tired that you can fall asleep.
- Make frequent stops, so that the animal can adapt, as well as relieve itself, drink water (not food) and play a bit.
- In the car, try not to yell at him or stress yourself because that will be noticed by the dog and will affect his mood.
Can you give us more tips for traveling with your dog by car?