Cars + Trucks
Car Accessories For Your Pet
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When you’re in a rush to take your favourite pet to the vet, you’re not necessarily thinking about protecting your car from the general wear and tear your beloved pet may wreak on your vehicle, but then the reality sinks in later when your back seat is covered in fur and claw marks and there’s a pervasive animal odour you just can’t seem to get rid of. There are some great products on the market these days that will help protect your car and make the ride a little smoother for both you and your pet. In addition, there are some safety accessories to consider when you and your pet on are the road.
Pet Precautions
In the interests of safety, some attention should be paid to how you secure your pet. For cats, it’s usually a matter of buying a good carrier that you can easily place in the front or back seat. There are some carriers available that come with belts that you can secure to the seat, so that the carrier stays in place during sudden turns or stops.
For the most part, dog owners prefer to have their canine friends free to look out the window and generally participate in the excitement of going for a ride. If you’re such an owner, how do you make sure you keep your dog from jumping on your lap while you’re trying to drive or from surprising the other passengers with far more attention than they desire?
Perhaps the easiest method is to buy a safety harness that can be fastened to any automotive seatbelt. There are various kinds of harnesses, some claiming higher levels of safety than others. In general though, the harness is designed to keep your dog from roving and has the added bonus of keeping your pet secure in case of quick turns and stops.
If you can’t picture making your dog wear a harness, consider a mesh or net barrier between the front and back seat. It’s an inexpensive way to ensure your dog will stay in the back seat. There are also solid barriers you can buy designed to fit the type of car you have, from a small or medium car to a large SUV.
For those well-trained, lucky dogs that get to ride shotgun, the harness may still be a viable option to prevent the dog from falling off the seat.
Creature Comforts
For little dogs that can’t see out the window comfortably, you might want to invest in a booster seat. These little seats are actually elevated baskets you can secure to a car seat. They are quite comfy for little dogs.
Cats in carriers need their creature comforts too. So don’t forget to put a favourite toy and a small towel for extra padding in there with your cat to give him or her a little comfort.
For big dogs, you can give them a cozy place to sleep and save your car seats by investing in a cushy mat or seat cover. The mat or seat cover can easily be removed and washed.
Cleaning Supplies
If you prefer not to use mats or seat covers, cleaning up after your pet is easy with the help of inexpensive carpet and upholstery cleaners. There are also many readily available, inexpensive car cleaning supplies designed to help you deal with pet odours in fabric car seats. Check the labels. If they’re safe to use around cats and dogs, it should be clearly visible on the label. A handheld wet/dry vacuum will also come in handy and you can get a decent one without having to fork out a lot of money.
A Little Goes A Long Way
There are some great car accessories for your pet that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. In the end, you’ll be glad you accommodated your pet’s needs. It’ll be a better ride for everyone. For those pets that don’t like riding in cars, talk to them and tell them it will be okay. Your reassurance will go a long way too.
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