The internet abounds with cute pics of dogs in sunglasses with their heads hanging out of car windows and their tongues lolling out. But is this safe? And why do they love to do it?
Windows
The main reason dogs love to hang their heads out of vehicle windows has to do with their keen sense of smell – this is the primary sense a dog uses to experience his world. With 225 million olfactory receptors (compared to the five million-odd in our human noses), a trip on the highway packs an unrivalled sensory punch for canines. Bruno literally gets a high-octane blast of information about where he is, where he’s going, who’s around and what’s happening. Add to this the other sensory aspects of sights, sounds and the feel of the air rushing past, and one can understand what makes this pastime so exhilarating for our doggos.
But, as with so many activities in life, the fun can come at a high price. Apart from the obvious danger of an unsecured pet jumping or falling out of an open car window, or being injured if you have to brake suddenly, what about things like flying objects (even small items like twigs or insects) hitting his eyes at high speed and causing serious damage? Or getting stuck in his ears or up his nose?
If your dog has long ears, you may think that these offer some protection, but, in reality, they can be even more susceptible to damage than smaller ones. Repeated road-trips with his ears whipping around his head could result in the cartilage shifting and leaving spaces that fill up with fluid ( aural haematoma) – an uncomfortable condition, similar to what happens to rugby players when they develop “cauliflower ear”, and which can be challenging to remedy and usually requires surgery.
Keeping your pet safely secured while you drive is paramount. You can still open the windows a little to allow all the interesting smells and sounds in for them to enjoy, but, you won’t be distracted or worried about their safety as you drive.
Securing Pets Safely
The safest way to drive with your dog is to secure him on the back seat in a crate. Cats should always be in a carrier and not allowed to wander around the vehicle, no matter how much they voice their disgust at being confined or what seasoned travellers they may be.
If a crate isn’t possible, opt for a doggy car seat or seat belt harness designed explicitly so they can be “buckled in”. Most cat carriers can also be secured in place by looping the seatbelt through the handle, which will prevent it from hurtling around the vehicle if you’re forced to brake hard.
If you drive an SUV or ute, consider one of the many types of pet barriers available. These are often made of mesh material to allow dogs to see and interact with you but prevent them from clambering to the front and taking your focus off the road.
Under no circumstances should dogs ever ride along in the open bed of a truck.
Tempting as it is to comfort a nervous traveller, never ever allow a pet to sit on your lap as you drive – you wouldn’t do this with a child, so apply the same considerations to your fur-child.
Easy Does It
While many animals travel well and enjoy car trips, a high percentage find the experience frightening or overwhelming. Chat to our team about the best anxiety-reducing meds or supplements to help keep your pet calm while you’re on the road with them.
If you have a new fur-baby, this is the perfect time to start car-training. Take lots of short trips with them – even just around the block or to the local park to begin with, and always rewarding with plenty of praise and reassurance (avoid food treats at this stage, as younger animals tend to be particularly prone to carsickness). Taking them to lots of fun places and not limiting car travel to nerve-jangling experiences like vet and groomer visits will help build their trust.
With careful consideration to the all-important safety aspects, investing in some quality safety gear, and applying patience and time, particularly in the early days, road-tripping with Molly or Mischief can be a stress-free experience. You’re always welcome to chat with the CVC team for more travel tips or regarding specific issues you may be experiencing when you and your pets hit the road.