Does your pet need a seatbelt?
You wouldn't let a family member ride in your car without wearing a seatbelt, so why is that OK for your dog? It's not.
"They become flying projectiles and when the car rolls, they're ejected just like humans are," says Dr. Marty Becker, with vetstreet.com.
Becker says having an unsecured pet is dangerous for the pooch and distracting to the driver.
"They need to either be in a carrier that's secured or they need to be in some kind of harness that secured to a seatbelt for their protection and for yours."
The safest place in that vehicle for your pet is the back seat. It's for the same reason it's the safest place for your baby: it's away from the passenger-side front air bag that explodes with such force that it can hurt a small child or pet in the front seat.
We all know dogs love to ride along with the heads out the window. Becker says that's a no-no.
"You've got to think of this: anything that's in the air - it doesn't have to be a rock, it can be a bug - when it hits their eyes at 60 miles per hour - it causes serious eye damage. So you can't have their heads sticking out the window."
Looking for a new vehicle? The editors at Edmunds.com just released a list of the Top 10 Pet-Friendly Vehicles for 2013.
For more information
Does My Dog Really Need a Seatbelt?
Pet Travel 101: What Every Savvy Dog Owner Should Know
"They become flying projectiles and when the car rolls, they're ejected just like humans are," says Dr. Marty Becker, with vetstreet.com.
Becker says having an unsecured pet is dangerous for the pooch and distracting to the driver.
"They need to either be in a carrier that's secured or they need to be in some kind of harness that secured to a seatbelt for their protection and for yours."
The safest place in that vehicle for your pet is the back seat. It's for the same reason it's the safest place for your baby: it's away from the passenger-side front air bag that explodes with such force that it can hurt a small child or pet in the front seat.
We all know dogs love to ride along with the heads out the window. Becker says that's a no-no.
"You've got to think of this: anything that's in the air - it doesn't have to be a rock, it can be a bug - when it hits their eyes at 60 miles per hour - it causes serious eye damage. So you can't have their heads sticking out the window."
Looking for a new vehicle? The editors at Edmunds.com just released a list of the Top 10 Pet-Friendly Vehicles for 2013.
For more information
Does My Dog Really Need a Seatbelt?
Pet Travel 101: What Every Savvy Dog Owner Should Know
According to the International Petbelt Company,,  you should all by a genuine authentic approved pet belt from them and only them for each and every pet,,,,  I already have one for my dog, cat, hamster and pig. We ride happily down the road spelling farm  E I E I O   And,,  I already have stocks in the Petbelt Company,,  so ,,  buy yours today!!!  Side effects may include,,,,,
I completely agree! I was in a bad accident last July and even though my dog was in a doggie car seat he still ended up being ejected out of the car and didn't make it. they sell specialized dog seat belt harnesses for all sizes of dogs, my 140 lb Mix has his own along with the 6lb Pomeranian, make sure you do research on anyone you buy, my experience with dog car seats is that they are not safe and a seat belt harness is the best way to go to make sure your pet is protected!
My dog wont fit in a seat. let alone a seat belt. I also let him stick his head out the window. Of course I realize that something could happen, but that doesn't mean it is GOING to happen. If a bug hits my dog and causes damage, then I'll take him to the vet and get it fixed. I think we as a society are being overprotective of EVERYTHING. Can't walk down the street because you could be raped or abducted....even though the chances of that are FAR less then being in a car accident.
We have a booster seat for our dog that is enclosed on all four sides and has a tether strap that attaches to her harness. The seat itself attaches to the headrest and seat belt and she rides in the seat behind me. I'm sure she would rather roam free in the back, but I feel a lot better knowing she's secured in her seat.
I totally believe that all animals should be in a seat belt. My (our) dog has been in a harness/seatbelt since we got him at 8 weeks old. He has a seat that he sits on and his belt is always on when we go on errands. It's funny because just taking the trash out I've had him jump into the passengers seat and he crys because he knows that's not his seat and he's not belted in. We want to keep him safe so when we go out running around he's in his seat and belted in. I've read stories where the animals are thrown out or thrown around inside the vehicle ... they're animal is hurt and needs medical help in so many cases. IF I'm hit, or if (God forbid) I hit someone, my pet is safe. It kills me everytime I see a dogs head outside the car window or NOT tied down (and there are many that don't tie their animal down IN THE BACK OF A TRUCK) knowing darn well tat something is going to hurt that poor baby. People wise up - these are our kids!!! (well like our kids - they're part of our family!!!!!
Very good advice, even though I do break our rules occasionally, its been reassuring knowing that if we get in an accident the dogs are safe in their cool seatbelt harnesses. Hard to imagine being in a horrible accident and on top of that not knowing if the dogs are alright.