How to transport a dog in a car?

The presence of a pet imposes certain obligations on its owner that require careful implementation. And transportation of the animal in the car must also take place according to certain regulations. Just making sure that the dog will be safe during the trip or travel, you can put the four-legged passenger in the cabin.

What rules should owners obey? How to choose a hammock and cages, covers and carrying, with which you can transport dogs in a car? In search of answers to these questions, it is worth refreshing the knowledge of traffic rules and taking into account the peculiarities of the pet's behavior in the car.

If you have a long journey, the animal should be arranged with maximum comfort. The vestibular apparatus of the dog is also not too adapted for traveling in a car - the dog may rock. Besides, it is worth taking individual protective measures for the pet - fasten it to a leash or place it in an aviary, cage, carrying, limiting mobility. This is necessary so that the dog in case of collision, emergency braking is not in danger.

Technically, the process of transporting dogs in cars and trucks is equivalent to the transit of household goods. Special permissions are not required here, you also do not need to carry documents with you. They will be needed only on long journeys, when crossing the border. A special order is established only for hunting dogs - they are transported with a special passport and veterinary documents confirming the availability of vaccinations.

According to the requirements of the traffic police, when transporting a dog in a car, its owner must comply with the following rules.

• The placement of the animal should exclude interference with the driver while driving. Its position on the hands of a person driving is excluded, free movement in the area of ​​pedals and other controls.
• The dog must not be allowed to obstruct the view. Even a small dog can become a big obstacle in a critical situation.
• Securely fix the animal during transportation. For the safety of the dog, maintaining optimal sanitary conditions in the cabin, this rule should be strictly observed.
• When inter-regional transportation of the animal no later than 5 days before the date of travel, you need to get a certificate in form F1 from the veterinarian confirming the absence of quarantine for dangerous infectious diseases from the place of departure.

Traveling abroad with a pet is also necessary according to the rules. For EU countries they will be as follows.

• Chiping Required for trips to almost all EU countries. A note about him must be present in the veterinary passport.
• Rabies vaccination - not earlier than a month, and not later than a year from the date of the last vaccination. Additionally, after 30 days, a blood test is performed to confirm the formation of antibodies. It should take place 3 months before the moment of departure from the country.
• When exporting dogs of rare breeds, the owner of the dog must be available permission from the RKF.

It is forbidden to transport fighting animals, newborn puppies, pregnant bitches to the borders of the EU countries.

In addition to the official regulations, there is also a secret order, which responsible owners of animals try to adhere to. Safety measures to ensure the comfort of the dog during transportation.

• Restrictions on opening windows in the heat. If the car is not equipped with air conditioning, you can only open the target so that the animal’s head does not pass into it. Otherwise, the pet may catch a cold, get injured from a stone or debris, earn otitis media, conjunctivitis.
• Maintaining optimal temperature in the cabin. The dog’s body, which is already not too adapted for road trips, can show a negative reaction in the heat. Heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, dehydration, shortness of breath and fainting are just a small part of what threatens an animal locked in heat in an enclosed space. Too low a temperature in the cabin is also dangerous, as it can lead to disturbances in the immune system.
• Proper placement of the dog. The front seats are not too adapted for transporting animals and pose the greatest danger. Well equipped with special accessories, the rear row of seats will be the best solution. Be sure to fasten the dog with a seat belt through the adapter or place it in a secured carrier.
• Full control. It is very important not to leave the dog alone. Leaving the car even for a short while is worth taking it with you.

By observing these rules, you can provide the dog with convenience and safety during the trip over short and long distances.

Veterinarians recommend observing certain requirements. So, before any trip, the dog should empty the bladder and intestines, and absorbent wipes and diapers should be available inside the car. Consult in advance about anti-motion sickness and give the pet prescribed to the pet in advance. In the heat it is better not to put a muzzle on the dog.

When deciding on the creation of optimal conditions for dogs in a car, it is necessary to be guided not only by the traffic police regulations, especially since they do not give exact requirements for fixing the animal. The owner has the right to decide what kind of trucking will be: giving the animal freedom of movement or restricting it for the safety of the driver and passengers.

The simplest solution is a solid robust cage to the size of the animal. It is quite easy to fasten it in the cabin with seat belts, placed behind the seats. But there is one important point: no matter how much you want to give your pet space, you will have to remember safety measures. In a large or oversized cage, in case of danger, the dog will beat against the walls and may be injured. When choosing a cell it is worthwhile to provide a place for a feeder with high sides, a drinking bowl-spill. For miniature animals, you can offer a tray or just cover the bottom with a diaper. A large dog should be provided with bedding, measures should be taken to fix the entire structure with belts or other types of fastenings.

Using the cage greatly facilitates the driver’s work: he does not need to fear that on the way the dog’s actions will lead to risky situations. Even animals that do not differ in exemplary behavior, when transported in this format, are protected from injury. In addition, if the dog is transported for the first time or in general is not too trained, it is worth choosing this particular option of an isolated box just to prevent the escape and loss of a pet.

If the cage is open on all sides, the net is only in the front in the carrying case. This gives the animal a sense of greater security. This format is convenient for owners of small dogs who do not want to part with their pets on trips and travels. It can be a soft cloth bag or a hard and fairly durable container. Anyway it is imperative to provide for the presence of good ventilation inside, take care of the fixation of the carrying in the passenger compartment.

The compact box is not suitable for transporting the dog in the heat, especially over long distances. Cramped contact with direct sunlight increases the likelihood of overheating. But with carrying you can drive to the veterinarian or hairdresser for dogs, go to the cottage or have a picnic, without risking that the pet will run away or make a commotion in the car.

If cages and carrying seem to be a serious limitation for a freedom-loving pet, a partition can be used to isolate it from the passenger compartment with the driver and other passengers. She can separate the back seat, preventing the dog from getting into the front row of seats. The partition itself may well be latticed, not limiting the view of the animal. When transporting two large dogs, you should choose a vertical insert that allows you to protect animals from injury. It is selected according to the size of the luggage compartment (in station wagon type cars) or taking into account the parameters of the passenger compartment.

If you do not want to install a stationary grid, you can use a removable type nylon mesh. It is fixed on the ceiling and on the sides of the cabin, providing opportunities for isolating the pet without severely restricting its freedom. It is better to protect the seats with a litter on top.

A commonplace blanket or blanket is not the best option when it comes to transporting a dog. For those who often ride with a dog in a car, they need more than just bedding. The material has special requirements:

• its structure should be moisture resistant, convenient for cleaning;
• the surface is better to choose without lint;
• resistance to wear, contact with teeth and claws is a priority;
• reliable fasteners are required.

Classic wraps with fasteners are a good solution if the dog travels in the luggage compartment. In combination with a lattice partition, you can get a comfortable and safe space for a large dog. Caps are available for the cabin, occupying the entire back seat and dropping to the floor - here you can place the tray.

Protection from three sides will help the dog to feel safe and protect the driver from the intrusive attention of a four-legged friend. Door panels can also be protected with boosters - removable pads will soften a possible blow and protect the handles from the teeth of an active puppy.

Another option is a full-fledged hammock that prevents the animal from getting into the front seats. Its shock-absorbing properties are quite enough to protect the dog from hitting the seatbacks during sharp braking. For dogs who love to chew on surrounding objects, you can buy a hammock in a car, closed on 4 sides. High sides create a semblance of a playpen that protects the pet from any troubles. A large dog from such a device is removed using detachable walls.

If we compare covers, wraps and hammocks with each other, the third option will clearly win both in terms of animal safety and the level of protection of the cabin. In addition, the dimensions of the device can be absolutely anything - from compact to occupying the entire back seat. And if you want to go on a long trip with a medium-sized fidget pet, you can buy a tunnel.

Even a pet that behaves flawlessly in a car interior needs protection from possible road hazards. Of course, it is impossible to fasten belts for a person. But there are harnesses with wide straps that easily and safely fix the chest, neck, ribs of the animal. The design must have seat belt for attaching to the standard car seat jack. In this case, the pet will be completely protected from traffic troubles, and the driver will be able to safely drive the vehicle.

If we are not talking about long-distance travel, carrying will be the best solution for short-term (no more than 1-2 hours) dog trips in the car. In an isolated box you can create all the conditions for a puppy and an adult animal. It is easy to maintain at a high hygienic level, it can be washed, supplemented with a safe drinker or favorite toy. Absorbing diapers that are laid inside the box will save from excess fluid in the cabin.

It’s definitely not suitable for car trips all that can’t be firmly fixed and well ventilated. These are backpacks where the dog has a movement restriction and can easily get heat stroke, as well as light and soft handbags. Excluded are any devices that require contact with the owner. Slings and other devices are best left at home: the dog should not interfere with the driver.

Soft carrying for a dog is also not a good idea. It is suitable only if the animal has an accompanying, holding a "house" on his hands or next to him in the seat. The best solution for frequent trips will be only a rigid container with a lattice front wall: a box, a cage or a “suitcase” on wheels. When choosing it, you should pay attention to the following points.

• The size. The dog should calmly stand in the box, turn around in it. The width of the box should correspond to the length of the body of the animal from the tip of the nose to the tail.
• Material. It is better to give preference to high-quality hypoallergenic plastic with a sufficient number of ventilation holes. If a small puppy is transported, the safety and washability of the materials will be a priority.Keeping crumbs clean is much more difficult.
• Bottom. It must be rigid, flat and stable. You can buy inside a special non-slip rug, easy to wash and wash.
• The presence of special belts and fasteners for the car will be a big plus. If not, you should purchase these accessories separately.
• Carrying - subject of individual use. Do not transport different animals or several dogs in one box.

Correctly chosen carrying is the key to comfort and safety of the dog on the trip. Do not risk the life and health of a pet.

See how to transport a dog in a car in the next video.