Arizona Used Car Dealerships Holiday Tips: Traveling with Pets
The holiday season is right around the corner which means a lot of travel plans are in the works. We load our cars packed with gifts, luggage, and food, but most importantly with our family and loved ones. Among the precious cargo- our husbands, wives, children, and ourselves – our pets are some the most vulnerable while traveling. Understanding the proper safety precautions while driving will protect your dog or cat, passengers, as well as the driver. That’s why Drive Now decided to put together these 3 important tips to keep your pet safe while traveling this season.
Plan Ahead Of Time
Wherever you are traveling this season, get a head start by thinking about the routes and weather conditions you might be traveling in. It’s important to make sure there will be stops along the way to let your dog out to stretch and do their business. You should also be prepared for winter weather and poor driving conditions as well. If there’s a chance that you may have to leave them in the car for long periods of time, you might want to reconsider bringing them at all. Both extreme heat and cold have tragic effects on animals left in an unattended car.
Prepare Your Pet for the Ride
If you know your pet gets anxious when traveling, it’s a good idea to get yourself and your pet organized ahead of time. Unfortunately, some animals experience stress or are prone to car sickness. If your pet is one of these animals, you can start by contacting or visiting your local vet for advice and medications that will help your pet make it through the ride easier. If your small dog or cat needs to go into a mobile carrier for safety while in the car, put the crate out a few days before you leave. Collect their favorite toys, blankets or treats and put them inside so they know that the crate is a happy, safe place. These comforting objects will help them relax and enjoy the ride. Lastly, once it is time to start packing, make sure you have the essentials readily available in your car: food, water, bowls, leashes, and waste bags.
Ensure That Your Pet is Safe and Secure
When we have a pet in our family most of us like to think of our pets as another family member. It is important to offer them the same respect and security as any other passenger in your car. The most reliable methods for keeping your pet safe are by keeping them in a carrier, a specially designed harness for dogs (make sure to get the correct size for your dog), or protected behind a back seat barrier. If you do get into an accident or have to slam on your brakes unexpectedly, you want to make sure your pet is safe and secure.
Drive Now’s Arizona used car dealerships have team members that encourage you to drive safely while on the road this holiday season. Are you traveling with your pet this year and do you have tips for traveling out of town with them?