In-car Safety for Pets
Guest Post
Unlike regular crash tests, there are not many tests that would provide insight into what’s the best way to keep our pets safe in cars.
The conclusion that can be drawn from the few such tests is that seat belts are not the best and safest way to go. When they are only secured with seat belts, dogs and cats are easily thrown around on the back seat, and if they are placed on the front passenger seat, they can be hurt by the air bags.
A harness is far safer than a belt. The pet is secured by several straps, which are usually broad and padded, and they keep the dog or cat well restrained. The harness should have a short tether that connects it to the seat belt buckle. That should prevent your pet from sticking it’s head through the window or jumping out of the car the moment you open the doors.
Finally, pet crates are also pretty safe. If you decide to put your pet in a crate, then make it a metal one, instead of plastic, which is more fragile. The pet’s movement will be more constrained, and you might feel sorry for it, but it will be secure and it wont bother the driver, which may lead to an accident. You just have to make sure the crate is big enough so that the cat or dog can have enough room to stand up and stretch during the trip.
In the end, it all comes down to how much space you want to give your pet and whether you are taking it for a long ride or just a short trip around town. The pet is safer with harnesses than with a seat belt on, but it would be best to put it in a crate which will keep it pretty safe in case of an accident. Also,it’s very important to keep your dog or cat in the back seat, for their own safety and the safety of the driver and other passengers.
What is your favorite method to keep your pets safe while driving?
Guest post by Jordan Perch, an automotive fanatic and chief blogger at DMV.com.
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