Car rides can become real nightmares if your pet is not comfortable in the car: anxiety, agitation, barking, vomiting... Not to mention the dangers an animal can pose if it is free to roam as it pleases. Here are some tips to make car travel with Fido and Fluffy go smoothly!
Safety on the road with a pet
From a legislative standpoint, the Highway Safety Code stipulates that any load in a vehicle (the animal in this case) must be placed so as not to obstruct the driver's view and must not be a source of danger in the event of a potential impact. The animal must therefore be restrained by a safety device. For large dogs, a safety net or barrier can be ideal for separating the front and rear of the car.
There are also a multitude of transport crates available in different sizes and formats to suit everyone. Be careful, however, to ensure that the crate is stable/secured. It is also possible to purchase a harness, which can be attached to your vehicle's seat belt, and will prevent your pet from moving around during the trip.
Stressed animals in the car? There are solutions!
Some dogs are very stressed in the car and will therefore tend to bark, salivate excessively, tremble, and eventually vomit. Here are some tips to avoid these situations, or at least reduce their intensity:
- Do not feed your dog 2-3 hours before getting in the car, especially if they suffer from motion sickness;
- Acclimate your dog to car travel from a young age;
- Try to establish a positive association with the car, for example by taking them to the park or forest, so that they want to go back in the car. They should not associate the car with, for example, a visit to the veterinarian, as they will then be reluctant to get back in the car;
- Ensure good air circulation and that your pet has safe access to an air source so they can oxygenate and reduce their nausea (if applicable).
And if your pet gets sick in the car...
If there's nothing you can do, and your dog or cat gets sick every time you go for a drive, take them to a veterinarian who can recommend appropriate medication. To clean up messes made by Fido and Fluffy, Purodora suggests the Hard Surface Disinfectant and Pet Odor Neutralizer for cleaning fabrics, leather, and surfaces, which will also eliminate bad odors.
However, if your pet's vomit has penetrated the inside of the seat, we suggest the Urine Odor Neutralizer, an odor neutralizer specifically designed to eliminate urine, vomit, or fecal odors in the car. This product will release a pleasant scent of cleanliness for several hours. Insert the product with a syringe and needle into the seat and spray on carpets to completely neutralize bad odors left by your pet.
Can you leave a pet in a parked car?
You should never leave your pet alone in the car while you run an errand or two. Even if you leave the windows slightly open, your pet risks suffering from heatstroke, which could be fatal.
Indeed, dogs do not regulate their body temperature as easily as humans. The only way they can cool down is by panting. But when dogs pant in the car, they are still breathing hot air. Their body temperature thus rises quickly, even if it is not a heatwave.
In 2016, 800 interventions were carried out in Quebec on dogs that had suffered from heatstroke. Irreversible damage to your pet can occur in just thirty minutes. Therefore, avoid leaving your pet alone in the car at all times.
