>> Dogs in Cars
People are beginning to appreciate the importance of restraining pets in cars, for safety's sake. Early restraint systems - notably dog guards and wire cages - were intended primarily to separate boisterous, smelly, wet and muddy pets from the rest of the family. But things have moved on; it's been compulsory since 1991 for rear seat passengers to wear seat belts, and now there is a real determination to do what's sensible to prevent injury or death from loose objects in the event of an accident.
"People have been shocked by television advertisements showing a teenager not wearing a seatbelt in a rear seat being flung forward and killing the driver. But they don't seem to realise that the consequences can be just as horrific if a dog is unrestrained in a car. In a crash a pet can be like a canine cannonball."
"At 30mph, for example, a 50lb border collie would be thrown forward with a force equivalent to nine 12-stone men - enough to kill a driver or passenger."
Source: RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents)
Accidents have also been caused by animals roaming around a vehicle, distracting the driver or even getting under the control pedals.
The message is clear, a simple matter of common sense: People who fail to secure their pet safely in cars not only jeopardise the animal's life, but also their own and other people's.
Effective pet restraint - the options
So what options are available? Here's an overview:
Dog Guards
Dog guards keep the dog in the boot space. They tend to be fairly car specific, so you may need to change your guard when you change your car. The downsides are that a larger than necessary proportion of the vehicle is given over to pet transport - putting the weekly grocery shop in with the dog is asking for problems - and there's a danger of the dog rushing into the road when boot is opened. Boot dividers are available for the best quality guards, but these sorts of bespoke options are usually very expensive.
Choose between a tubular or a mesh guard; there's relatively good rear visibility with each type.
Dog Cages
Wire mesh kennels are certainly an effective restraint; they tend to be placed flush against the rear seat so, even if they aren't tied down, we suggest that there's little opportunity for them to find their way over the rear seat in the event of an accident. Cheaper cages are prone to rattling, which can be irritating. They also tend to rust surprisingly quickly - dog saliva is very corrosive. Better quality cages are heavier and can be awkward to lift in and out. (Some people are also concerned about their potential to scratch the car, e.g. leather seats.) The real downside with cages is their size and shape; they tend to be bigger than necessary, and difficult or impossible to use in hatchbacks - the base fits the floor, but because they're usually rectangular you can't shut the hatch.
There's also the matter of value for money - will it fit your next car? Cages provide excellent ventilation, but if they need to be covered to provide sun protection then much of this benefit is lost.
Dog Crates - plastic
Purpose built plastic travel crates provide secure surroundings, although some of them seem to be short on ventilation. Their solid sides limit the driver's rear vision and make it difficult to keep an eye on the dog in the rear view mirror. Many have at least one sloping side to allow some use in hatchbacks.
Dog Crates - fabric
There's a plethora of rectangular fabric covered collapsible crates on the market, spanning a wide breadth of quality. These are lightweight and should certainly be fastened down, whether used in the boot space or on the rear seat. The fabric tends to be lightweight shower proof polyester - maybe 600 to 800 Denier - we question just how robust this would be in the event of an accident. Fabric crates were originally intended for short term accommodation, e.g. to fit on a bench at a dog show, a purpose for which they are ideal. Certainly they provide a good degree of privacy and comfort.
Dog Harness / Dog seat belts
A properly designed and fitted harness will make travel safer for all vehicle occupants; these fasten onto an existing seat belt. (Don't, for obvious reasons, just tether your pet by his collar.) There's evidence that some dogs can learn how to obtain slack in the seat belt - when they lie down or change position - leaving the potential for getting tangled in the webbing. They probably aren't the 100% restraint solution they're sometimes cracked up to be.
Some dogs don't like to be restrained so forcibly.
Dog Bag is a brand of portable fabric kennel, held upright by sprung steel hoops. It's made of an 1800 Denier ballistic nylon - waterproof, softer and much warmer than steel or plastic - and is designed to provide an appropriate combination of strength, privacy, air circulation, and sun protection. Dog Bags should always be tied down, either to the boot fixing points, or to the rear sear. The fabric sides and top will move to accommodate the boot of any estate or hatchback - having removed any parcel shelf. If there's floor space for the dog, then a Dog Bag is suitable. Use it on the rear seat of a saloon car - a special "foot well filler" accessory is available if the Dog Bag is wider than the car seat. The driver will be able to view the dog in the rear mirror, and to see through the mesh at the top of the Dog Bag. Dog Bag and its accessories are suitable for all round use, in the car or in the home, inside or outside.
Dog Bag also keeps the majority of dog hairs etc. out of the car. We are big fans of Dog Bag and consider it to be the best all round transport system available.
Pet Tubes, from the makers of Dog Bag and made to the same high specifications, are designed for use on the rear seats of cars. They strap securely to the back of the seat, allowing good ventilation and visibility. Pets can move freely inside the tube and keep their natural balance when travelling - the large Pet Tubes can be altered in length to provide more or less room for other passengers. They make a major contribution to keeping dog hairs etc. off the seats.
The smaller the pet, the more likely it is to travel loose, even on the front passenger seat. Good training would of course count for nothing in the event of an accident - smaller pets also need to be safely restrained. If relegating them to the boot seems rather hard, choose a transport system which is suitable for carrying in the body of the car, even on the front seat. Wedging a plastic crate into the passenger foot well is one possibility, but is not very sociable, and it would need to be a small crate. The makers of Dog Bag have two small animal carriers - the "USB" Universal Sport Bag, and the Jet Set, available in three sizes.
The Dog Bag itself comes in an Extra Small size, suitable for front or rear seats. There is easy access from three sides. A "carry set" is also available - suitable if the pet is light enough to lift in its Dog Bag. The Extra Small is also very suitable for cats or other small pets - despite the branding! The Pet Tube Small is also suitable for front seat use.
General travel tips for pets
Start travelling with your pet from an early age. It's sensible to introduce him to his travelling 'den' in a familiar environment, i.e. at home, before introducing him to the car. This should help to reduce stress.
Don't forget that cars can heat up very quickly in warm weather. Leaving windows open will help but it's very likely that there won't be sufficient cooling to prevent heat stroke. If taking a rest stop, try and park in a shady place and open the doors so that plenty of fresh air can circulate in the car. Window blinds will help if your dog carrier / restraint doesn't provide adequate UV protection.
If your dog is prone to car sickness, reducing the view can help - the problem is thought to be caused by the movement of road side objects, e.g. trees "flying by". Ventilation is important.
Where possible all kennels, crates, or cages should be firmly attached to the car floor or seats, e.g. a dog in a plastic crate launched off the back seat is likely to be just as dangerous as the dog on its own.
Only use systems that have been specially designed for car travel, with the appropriate attachments.
Allow plenty of time on your journey for stops; dogs appreciate "a leg stretch" just as much as humans!
For further travel advice for pets check out the PDSA or RoSPA websites. [Provide links.]
Protection for your car
Transporting dogs in cars can be a messy business - quite apart from dog hairs, dogs find ways of getting very wet and muddy! None of this does the car any favours. Various products are available:
Seat covers - complete sets are available in various fabrics. Fully waterproof sets can be unpleasant to sit on, so maybe e.g. velour is an adequate compromise.
Boot liners - Made from fabric or 'rubber' / polypropylene. We only sell the made to measure ones, the argument being that if they don't have a made to measure edge to them, they don't do the job properly. Our liners start from £39.95, with the majority costing £43.95.
Plastic pet crates - do a good job.
Fabric crates, Dog Bags and Pet Tubes - these also help to keep the car clean and dry, as almost everything stays inside and can be shaken out later.
When you leave the car - small pets
Small dogs enjoy being out and about but can often become frightened in large crowds. Rather than worry about the possibility of being trodden on, they often like to be picked up and carried. There are many shoulder bags on the market. We sell the "USB" small animal carrier; this has a firm base and strong sides, with plenty of ventilation. There's an internal leashing point, and mesh doors which are easily closed - particularly useful in shops or restaurants. Carry the USB over the shoulder or on your back, or use the specially designed seat belts for use in the car, bus or train. There are even accessories for bike and motor bike travel! The USB Travel Set accessory allows you to keep all your travel essentials in two specially designed bags, with the USB clipped on top. It includes a trolley with a telescopic handle - never have smaller pets or their owners had such an easy time of it!