5 Dog Accessories for Safe and Comfortable Car Rides with Your Pup
Having a dog doesn’t mean that you’ll be staying with it just at home. Having a dog means you have a loyal friend you can take with you wherever you go. This includes a lot of trips with your car. However, cars aren’t made for dogs, they’re made for people. So, to make the car a safe place for your furry friend, there are a few things you can buy to make the vehicle a safer and cosier place to be.
Seat Booster
If you own a Great Dane and have it perched up in the back seat, it won’t have a problem looking through the window. But if you own a smaller breed like a Chihuahua, you’ll need something to elevate it so it can stay calm and enjoy the sight. Otherwise, the dog might walk around on the seat and get injured, or worse. In order to prevent this, choose from the wide variety of car booster seats for dogs as the perfect accessory.
Your dog will be much safer and happier while nestled inside a booster. It’ll stop whining in the seat and strain its neck to see what’s going on around it. This car accessory is made to be fastened to the back seat with the seat belt. There are fittings in the back where you put the seatbelt through and the booster sits in place. The inflated or padded bottom makes everything more comfortable.
These car booster seats for dogs are mainly made for smaller dog breeds, dogs that weigh up to 13 kg. There are models that even have a hidden storage area underneath the seat of the booster. This can be a great way to store a blanket, food or other softer items. Others can be transformed into transporters. There are boosters with heating that will keep your dog warm on colder days.
Many manufacturers base their sizing charts on the weight of the pet. However, this isn’t always very accurate. Some dogs are long, some are fluffy and some just want to stretch a lot. In this case, you might want to buy a bigger booster. There are boosters with two ties if you have two smaller dogs. You can place them both in one seat.
If you’re buying online and you can’t see the product in person, it’s important to measure your dog’s length and weight. Take those measurements and compare them to the size chart of the seller. Make sure you stay true to the chart, otherwise it might be dangerous for the dog to ride in the booster. And to make things simpler for you as an owner, choose a seat that’s easy to clean and maintain.
Seat Cover
If you travel a lot with your dog, you know how tiresome it is to clean the dog hair present on the back seats after every single ride. Sometimes, it’s really hard to get it out. To make this chore easier, you can buy a seat cover. This simple accessory can save you time, effort and money.
Invest in some high-quality covers. Something made of strong and durable materials that can withstand a lot of wear and tear, scratches and a lot of cleaning. It should also be able to deal properly with hairs, dirt and grime. Water resistance is a must. Sometimes, your dog can have a bathroom accident and you don’t want that liquid sticking to your actual car seats.
Quilted seat covers are made of heavyweight materials. They’re good for chewers and dogs that like to scratch. You will take the covers on and off a lot of times, so make sure they’re easy to handle. No one wants to struggle with this, as it can be very annoying. Having a non-slip backing will keep the covers in place and also help you keep the car booster seats for dogs set on the seat.
Travel Bed
If your dog is settled in a travel bed, the whole trip will be more comfortable and much more soothing. The bed is a nice place where the dog can relax and enjoy the ride. You can use the dog bed you have at home, but that’s not recommended. The beds specialised for cars are made specifically for the shape and structure of the car seats. These beds are lightweight, easily portable and low maintenance.
Your dog’s comfort should be your number one priority. The bed must be cosy and support the dog’s muscles and bone structure. Get one with waterproof features to save you some cleaning time if there’s an accident. Look for a bag with straps and buckles. This way you can strap it to the seat and not worry if it’ll move around on every turn.
The size of the bed is another crucial factor to think about. It should suit your dog correctly. Its legs should not stick out in any way. It should be spacious enough for the dog to stretch, stand, sit, or lay down. Besides the dog booster seats, the bed is a wonderful way to make your furry friend comfortable during every ride.
Food & Water Bowls
Having containers for food and water when travelling may make a big difference, especially when you’re traveling long distance. Choose carefully because your dog will need them many times a day. Buying a bigger bowl will keep the food spread on the bottom and the dog will eat at a slower pace.
The best bowl materials are stainless steel, ceramic and glass. All of them are easy to clean and difficult to damage. However, stainless steel is at the top because of its durability, stain and rust resistance, and non-absorbing properties. If your dog moves a lot while eating or drinking, buy a bowl with a rubberised bottom.
Dog First Aid Kit
When you’re on the go, it’s a good idea to have a first aid kit for your dog, just like you have one for yourself. There are pre-made kits at the store but you can also make one according to your dog’s needs. You can pack some medications if the dog takes them regularly, along with its medical record, and vaccines. Some of the other basics are:
- Wraps;
- Sticky tape;
- Hydrogen peroxide;
- Anti-toxin spray;
- Anti-bacterial wipes;
- Benadryl;
- Nail clippers;
- Styptic powder;
- Blunt tip scissors;
- Clean towels;
- Disposable gloves;
- Epsom salts;
- Eye wash;
- Probiotics;
- Thermometer;
- Food and treats;
- Pet stretcher.
