According to the Humane Society of the United States there are approximately 78.2 million owned dogs in the United States. That’s a lot of Fido’s hanging around, sleeping on our sofas, stealing food from the kitchen counters and generally making our lives better.
And as vacation season is in full swing we naturally want to put our buddy in the car for a trip to the campground. Or even just a trip to the store for barbecue supplies. So if Sam is riding shotgun there are things you can do to keep him safe and sound.
Keep your dog safe in the car.
Sure they love to do it, but don’t let them hang their heads out of the window. It may be a traditional sign of warm weather but they can easily be injured by flying debris.
Unrestrained pets cause more than 30,000 accidents annually, according to a AAA report. That can be as simple as Buster Brown jumping into the front seat or as devastating as a flying dog out the windshield during an accident. Pet restraints are a sure way to keep them where you put them.
Some dogs only get in the car during a ride to the vet so they associate the car with a negative experience. Take them for a joy ride now and then. Head to the dog park or to a friend’s house for a doggy play date. This will make for easier times when a road trip is in order.
Make sure your dog has proper identification. Many dogs are lost each year when they escape from a car and losing your dog during vacation is tragic. Having ID tags and especially a micro-chip will ensure Lady gets back home.
And probably the most important thing you can do for your dog is NEVER leaving him in the car when temperatures rise. Even mild sunny days can bring the temperature in your car up to dangerous levels for dogs. Humidity only makes it worse and nothing says Kansas City summer like humidity. There is no safe amount of time to leave your dog in the car when the temperature is above 85 degrees. It can quickly lead to heatstroke and death.
There are 78 millions pets living with us in the US. Most of these 78 million are loved, spoiled, and probably live a life we’d love to have. So keep them safe in the car and have a great summer.
Oh, and keeping your AC working can be the key difference between driving in comfort and driving in misery. Sallas Auto Repair is your first stop for a good AC check or repair and you can even book your appointment online. So get in touch with us let us ensure you and Duke have a great ride!