“Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.” – John Lennon
Life happens. It just does. You get a job, you lose a job. You get married, you get divorced. You’re healthy, then you’re not. Life’s ups are what we stick around for, and life’s downs, well, we hope they aren’t too bad or last too long. But what happens if they last longer than expected? You can only tighten your belt so much before sacrifices need to be made, and your cost of living has to dramatically change.
The family pooch is usually the last sacrifice anyone wants to make when the financial speed bump begins to look more like a washed-out road. However, dogs do require a monthly budget, and if you can’t afford kibble for the table, what happens if a hospital visit is required? Is it fair that your pet suffers because of a little bad luck? What can you do when you can no longer afford your dog?
Avoiding Risks – Get a Safety Harness
According to a 2010 survey, about 80% of all pet owners have driven with their dogs in the car. However, less than 20% use any type of restraint system. This means those dogs could be putting everyone at risk who shares the road with those drivers.
Distractions are a major cause of accidents. When you’re traveling at high speeds and driving a vehicle that weighs several tons, you can’t afford to take your eyes off the road—even for a moment. Having a dog in your lap or even running around in the backseat can create the exact type of distraction that could lead to a serious, or even fatal, accident.
Even if you keep your eyes on the road, your unrestrained dog’s antics might distract other drivers. Would you want to be responsible for causing such a situation?
In the event of an accident, your dog could face serious injury if they haven’t been properly restrained. A dog on your lap can be thrown into or through the windshield, crushed by an inflating airbag, or have its body broken by being pinned between you and the steering wheel. Any unrestrained dog can suffer severe injuries if the vehicle flips over. Plus, the force of an unrestrained dog hitting the back of your seat, or your body from the impact of another vehicle, can cause greater injury to you and your passengers.
Thankfully, all of these risks can be significantly minimized by simply restraining your dog during any car trips. Let’s take a look at some of the available options.
Safety Seats
For small dogs (the ones most likely to travel on your lap), you can invest in safety seats. These seats work similarly to car seats for children. Made from various materials, they fit into either your front passenger seat or one of the backseats. You use your seatbelt system to keep the seat in place. Most seats include a separate restraint to keep your dog secure during travel, so you don’t have to worry about them being injured by your seatbelt.
The great thing about these seats is that your dog can safely ride almost anywhere in the car. Plus, the seats give small dogs a better view and better access to the wind coming through your open window.
You can find these safety seats at most pet stores, and prices vary greatly. For example, the Pet Gear Booster Seat starts at $85, while the American Tourister model costs only $40, though it doesn’t come with a harness. Just remember to choose a seat that can accommodate your dog. All seats have weight limits, typically no higher than 15 pounds.
Harnesses & Seat Belts
A more affordable way to keep your dog restrained during travel is using a seat belt or harness. Most of these options can be purchased for less than $25 and will work for a wider range of dog sizes.
Typically, you purchase the harness for your dog, which attaches to your car’s seatbelt to keep them in one seat. Some harnesses require you to buy additional accessories, such as belts to connect them to your car’s seatbelt system. The goal of these items is to adapt your existing restraint system to work for your pet.
One example is the Kurgo Trufit Smart Harness, which costs between $23 and $30, depending on your dog’s size, and can also double as a walking harness. Available in extra small, small, medium, and large sizes, the biggest size may not fit larger breeds, like mastiffs. However, most other breeds will be protected by one of these products.
Safety Barriers
If you have very large dogs, or if you typically don’t travel with backseat passengers other than your dog, you might consider safety barriers to restrain your dog in one area of the vehicle. These devices can be made from wire, metal, mesh, or strong fabric and fit into your car behind either the front seat or one of your backseats (if you have a van or SUV). They prevent the dog from jumping or climbing out of their designated part of the vehicle.
Prices range from around $40 to $100, but they are generally easy to install. These barriers are great for larger dogs and dogs that get anxious during car rides, as they won’t be as tightly restrained. However, they won’t offer much protection in the event of an accident, so you may want to weigh that risk in your decision.
For example, the Midwest Tubular Pet Vehicle Barrier costs $40 and fits into most SUVs and vans without installation. You simply adjust the horizontal and vertical bars to fit your car and keep them in place through pressure.
Regardless of the method you choose, keeping your dog restrained in the car is an important way to reduce driving distractions and, in some cases, protect your dog in the event of an accident. Be sure to purchase a product that correctly fits your dog’s size and that you understand how to use it in your vehicle.
Even if you decide to take the risk and leave your dog unrestrained in the vehicle, remember that driving with a dog in your lap is never a good option. The risks to your dog, passengers, and other drivers are simply too great.
