If you’re of a “certain age” you may remember the days of long car rides in the back seat or even the back of a station wagon – no seatbelts in sight or in anyone’s mind. Most of us survived, but we now think very differently about how we travel with our children and infants. Five-point harnesses and rugged seats strap children in backwards for their protection until they can ride facing forward. Air bags surround us and them from all sides of our vehicles. We are hyper aware and vigilant of the potential dangers of automobile travel.
Any yet, most of us don’t think about it when transporting our pets to outings, vacations or vet visits. Many pets roam free in the car, creating a hazard for themselves and the driver who can become easily distracted. In the event of a crash, your beloved pet is a potential missile that can be thrown from into the windshield, into the back of passengers or out of the car.
If that all makes you think again about leaving your dog loose in the car or leashed in to be thrown about by their neck in a crash, there are much better options. Crash-tested harnesses and carriers are rare, but they do exist, and they can save your pet’s life. The Center for Pet Safety “scientifically evaluates pet products and set the only independent safety standards protecting families and their pets.” They crash test dog harnesses and carriers and post the results.
Based on these results, I chose two options for Charlotte when we travel. The first option that worked well when she was smaller is the SleepyPod Mobile Pet Bed, affectionately dubbed “the princess pod” because of it’s pink domed form. This bed and carrier combination features a removeable liner and domes, zip-off, ventilated cover that straps securely into the back seat of a car. Your pet can ride in plush comfort, and you can remove the carrier to carry them into the vet or use it without the cover as a pet bed. Sadly, Charlotte outgrew her SleepyPod before she turned a year old, so I can only recommend it for very small mini dachshunds or puppies. It also makes a wonderful cat carrier, if you’re so inclined. The cost is significant, so look it as an investment in your doxie’s safety.
SleepyPod also makes crash-tested harnesses that are wonderful for larger dogs, but, sadly, are too big for most miniature dachshunds. I recommend them if you have a larger pet. Again, they are an investment, but once your dog is full-grown, they should last a lifetime.
Because I could not find a SleepyPod harness that fit Charlotte, I went for an alternate product – the Kurgo Enhanced Strength Tru-Fit Dog Car Harness. This harness is crash tested for dogs up to 75 pounds, has an leash attachments on the front and back of the harness and is made with all-steel hardware and carabiner to attach to your car’s seatbelt. Charlotte travels comfortably strapped into the back seat in her harness, and it is convenient to leave on her once we arrive at our destination. Just hook up the leash and go.
I feel much better as we take long car rides to visit family and friends knowing that she has an extra level of protection and won’t be a distraction to me as I drive. Won’t you reconsider how you travel with your pets?