Hi! Let's ride a car!!!! If you own a pet, most likely, ever in his life, you had to transport him in a car. Whether you go for a walk in the park, for an appointment with the vet or even for a tourist adventure.
This is a very complex topic because it involves health, safety and animal behavior. But do not be scared, because with conscience and responsibility, you and your hairy can have very fun times under 4 wheels. And, to help them clarify any possible doubts, here's a special post on the topic, done through a lot of research and experiences.
PET X X AUTOMOBILE RELATIONSHIP
The first point to evaluate is: "What is the relationship of your pet with the car?" . Well, before you stick your pet inside a car, see if it feels comfortable or not, because the consequence of this thoughtless act can cause a trauma difficult to overcome.
The vast majority of dogs love being inside a car. I personally, or rather, caninamente, LOVE to ride a car ..... either to go to the corner square or take the road from Sampa to Porto Alegre, for example.
For us, pets, cars are like burrows. I explain our reasoning: dogs are social animals, that feel good in group and that like to shelter in burrows. The car, therefore, is for us a kind of lair of the group to which we belong (our owners, our human family) and being inside it is a guarantee to be part of this group. Understood?
Well, in addition, this "walking touches" takes us, most of the time, to super cool places like parks, tourist destinations and tours in general that will guarantee us fun times. The result is a fantastic combination: being close to the one we love, feeling protected inside the den and being transported for a lot of fun. Want something better ??
But, did you know that not all pets have the same opinion? Some furry have real dread of cars !! To them the burrow sounds frightening. This happens when the car is associated with bad things, like fear and nausea .
Some furry see the car as a kind of "walking stick" next to other cars and trucks - a really scary thing in the eyes of dogs.
Others tend to get pretty seasick during motoring adventures, especially on long-term trips. But do not worry, because it may have nothing to do with your ability to drive. But it could be that ... ahahaahaha ... joking.
The truth is that dogs were not meant to ride in cars, no more than humans were. Dogs were made to migrate by walking several miles a day. Therefore, the motorized experience can be physically and emotionally disordered, especially for young dogs. The balance and movement of the vehicle can affect the inside of the ear, causing nausea and dizziness. When this happens, the dog may begin to feel sick just by getting into the car, even before the engine is turned on. Watch for signs! In some dogs, excessive salivation is the only sign of nausea from riding a car, and may still be the precursor of vomiting.
Now it gets even worse if car rides often take your pet to programs not so nice (in our eyes) as visits to the vet. So, just thinking about getting into the car, many dogs are already bored or despair because they have learned that this is not an experience that ends well.
LET'S GO !!!
Whatever the reason for your pet's dislike of cars, you can make the experience of getting into the vehicle less traumatic for your pet. With affection, patience and some tips to follow:
- The choice of a quieter time, with little traffic and less heat, for the rides, helps reassure your furry during the ride.
- If you notice that your pet suffers from dizziness every time you drive, talk to a veterinarian you trust to indicate the best palliative. There are medicines against nausea or, still, homeopathy is well indicated for these cases.
- An important tip is to feed the animal only 2 or 3 hours before the ride. And if it is a trip, even if short, avoid feeding it during the journey. If the trip is long, offer light foods like fruits and vegetables, in small quantity and several doses throughout the travel time. Keep the pet always hydrated. Ice cubes, if available, are a great alternative. Make stops every 2 hours so the animal can exercise and do their needs.
- And if you still have all these precautions, the pet vomit, do not force it to eat. Do not get discouraged, many dogs overcome nausea and become accustomed to the feel of the car's movement.
- To make your pet enjoy riding by car, you should associate the ride with something pleasurable for the animal. Encourage him to enter the vehicle with the engine still off, luring him with snacks and distracting him with playfulness and affection. When in the car, keep playing with the dog so that it feels calmer and safer inside. Only then start the engine, and continue with the pranks and giving treats so that it does not associate the noise of the car running to nothing scary. The next step is you speed up the engine. Repeat the caresses and snacks and if the dog shows up, then go to the final step - honking. Again, repeat the tip until you realize that everything is okay and the dog does not show any more fear or agitation.
- Try to do the workout a few times only with the car parked (preferably in a garage) once a day, so the dog gets accustomed well to the car interior. Just go outside when he's already well in the previous steps.
- Start by making short walks, through streets with little noise and little movement. Always offering nibbles and compliments. Gradually, risk longer journeys and go to places with more intense traffic. And if you notice that your dog has become frightened again, restart the training since the motor step is off.
- The result will be much better if, at least on the first trips, the final destination is something fun and enjoyable as a few rounds in the park or meeting with friends.
HAZARD-FREE PLEASURE
Ready!! Are your pet and cars already inseparable ?? That Cool! But to ride with your pet, it is super important to be aware of the risks involved, dangerous situations and take special care to avoid accidents. After all, the life of your pet, yours and other people's lives is at stake.
- I need you, I need a .....
A loose dog inside the vehicle can jump from side to side and easily curl up, get in the middle of your legs, bump into the throttle or brake, get under the pedals and even in the face of an irresistible stimulus, decide to jump out the window!
Needless to say, this behavior is extremely dangerous. Especially if the car is moving or in a rather busy place. Therefore, never allow your dog to jump out the window of the car, or playfully, even if the car is inside a park or in a totally safe situation. Jumping out the window is too dangerous a habit, which should be totally inhibited.
Not to mention that a pet moving in a car can disrupt driving and take away the driver's concentration and, in a fraction of a second, cause an accident.
- Aggressiveness
Many dogs, even some quite docile, at certain times manifest aggression when they are inside the car. This is a consequence of the instinct of natural protection. There are likely to be few things that are more important to a dog than protecting his "moveable burrow" and the group that lies within his "burrow".
And within the "burrow", along with his group and protected by windows, he has a great sense of security.
Usually, aggressiveness manifests itself when somebody approaches the car. But unfortunately, the attack does not only happen against the thief who threatens you. It can also happen against children asking for money in the lighthouse or against a friend who comes to greet you, for example.
In some cases, it may occur if someone tries to get the dog out of this precious space for him. At such times, even you run the risk of being bitten. Watch for signs of aggression, do not encourage such behaviors, and if there is a seriousness or fleeing from your control consult a professional who specializes in animal behavior.
- Greenhouse effect
A car left under the sun, even for a short time, can become a real greenhouse or sauna. Hence, they are more common than you might think of cases of dogs dying of hyperthermia (excessive heat) after being locked in a parked car.
Some people even worry about the lack of air for the dog inside the car, but a tiny little window is enough to prevent the problem from happening, because the car fence is not so good that it does not allow any air. But, under a mighty sun, no morsel shall save his beast. Worse if there are several dogs inside the car.
And even a rainy day can turn into a sunny day in a short time and the shadows change as the position of the sun changes.
So it is best to never leave your pet unattended inside a vehicle .... even if it is for a few minutes.
- Guide and Hanging
These accessories should never be used without supervision as they can screw and even hang your pet. These types of accidents have a greater chance of happening in the car, especially with pets that move a lot from side to side.
The recommendation is that, since there is no possibility to supervise it inside the car, remove the guide of your animal. But keep the leash, always with identification of the animal and contact of the owner.
SECURITY ON BOARD
Well, ALL the passengers of a car must be contained during a trip or even a simple walk. And this basic rule does not exclude pets !!!
It is common to see people carrying animals with their heads out of vehicles or even on the lap of drivers. It must be very nice to see us wind blowing our hair .... But this attitude, besides being dangerous (if we are not properly restrained), goes against the traffic laws.
The transportation of animals in Brazil is regulated by Law No. 9,503 of September 23, 1997, which established the new Brazilian Traffic Code . Among the articles of the new Code, the following regulate the subject:
- Article 235 states that driving persons, animals or cargo in the external parts of the vehicle, except in duly authorized cases, implies serious infraction, penalty with fine and retention of the vehicle as an administrative measure. Also included are those who guide their dog through the guide driving the car with the intention of exercising it. Tying animals in the pick-up or truck dumps is also subject to the penalties described in this article. The transport in pick-ups must be done with transport boxes and with total security.
- Article 252 (II) states that driving the vehicle carrying persons, animals or volume to its left or between the arms and legs implies average infraction and penalty with fine. Those who carry loose animals are inside the vehicle.
In addition to the damages with the fines, the points added to your driver's license and the possible seizure of your vehicle, imagine how much it would not cost you the cost of a collision with another car, an accident with physical damages or the death of someone or even even from your animal?
An uncontaminated pet is not only a danger, it can also be dangerous. In an accident, this pet can be perfectly transformed into a projectile. To give you an idea, in a collision less than 50km per hour, a dog weighing about 28kg can be thrown against a windshield, the backrest of a passenger seat or even against another passenger generating an impact with a force greater than 540kg !!!! And, miraculously, do not hurt yourself during the accident, a loose and frightened dog can disrupt the rescue work, attack the rescuers or even escape when they open the car.
Here are some tips for accessories and instruments recommended for animal transport. Choose the one that fits your pet, your pocket, and your travel and travel routine:
Transport box
The ideal is to transport your animal in a transport box, but not every dog likes the idea of traveling indoors. And not every owner likes to see his pet locked in a box. This, for example, is our case, mine and my mistress's.
I really like to watch everything and everyone, recording the events in the streets, admiring the landscape ... But here for us, justice is done, the transport boxes are safe and can be quite comfortable. Several "a little bit" of mine have already told me this and there is even hairy that makes the transport box your little house, enjoying beautiful nights sleep inside it.
The important thing is to choose a sturdy and ventilated box with enough space for the pet to spin in 360 degrees. But be careful not to overstate the size, as it can get hurt if there is any sudden movement during the transport. Also watch out for fact that larger boxes may not fit in normal automobiles. Regarding the safety aspect, choose a box that has a strap for easy transport, locking the doors, and that does not have loose or loose parts.
And last but not least: it is worth remembering that transport boxes for air travel must comply with the safety standards described in the IATA-LAR (International Air Transport Association) manual, as well as internal regulations of each airline . Consult our team for more information
Some animals may initially feel ill or be afraid of the shipping box. Therefore, it takes time for adaptation to familiarize yourself with the new space. The first step is to get it into the box, without forcing it into it. If he shows too much fear, reward him only by approaching her. Say "box!" and reward your pet. Make him come close to the box until he puts his head inside it. Give another reward. Putting snacks inside also helps. When it comes in, close the door for about a minute. Each day repeat the operation and, little by little, increase the length of stay. To make the box more comfortable, lining the interior with cloths, newspapers or some other absorbent material.
It is important to say that the transport box is the most suitable option for transporting the felines.
Containment grids
They are generally easy to assemble and dismantle metal partitions, which, when installed, limit the movement of the animal inside the car.
There are models for the center (between the front seats), the sides that prevent the dog from jumping out of the window, and those that restrict the dogs to the back of a pickup truck or van.
This equipment is practical, gives comfort to the dog and offers more interactivity between the owner and the animal. However, the driver must be aware that if there is a need for sudden braking, there is a risk to the life of the animal, because in practice, the animal is being transported loose.
And here we return to article 252 of the Brazilian Traffic Code ....
Seat belt
It's my favorite one!!! And my mistress's too. Like the belt for humans, it also protects the dog during any collisions or sudden braking. Reduces the risk of your pet getting injured in an accident because it keeps you trapped in the back seat of the car, with no chance of it being projected into a collision. The use of the belt also has the advantage of avoiding that the animal distracts the driver since it limits the circulation of the furry inside the vehicle. Your furry will be able to sit or lie on the bench in all comfort, but you will not be able to move to the front seat, nor jump out the window.
So you can drive much quieter knowing that your dog is safe, protected and within the law. And he will feel safer as he travels, especially when cornering and quick maneuvers are needed.
There are several models of safety belt, but the most suitable is the "chest + guide with adapter tongue". You can use any type of breastplate - if it is padded, the better because it reduces friction and is more comfortable. Attached to the breastplate, you put the tab that has a carabiner on one end, to attach to the breastplate and a tab on the other end, that fits perfectly in the system of the car's seat belt.
So, make your pet feel happy inside a car, choose the accessory that best suits your use and profile your animal and good ride !! But remember: awareness, responsibility, security and comfort.
Sources: Buddy Biker (Alexandre Rossi) , Handbook Pet Pet (Portal Tourism 4 Paws) , " Dog barking does not bite": 101 Curious Questions on Canine Behavior (Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori, Editora Globo).
