Long drives with your dog, or cat? OK, maybe dogs more often, but more and more cat owners (whether or not they also have dogs) are also now taking their cats along on drives and road trips as well!
And why wouldn’t you want to share as much time as possible with your furry friend/s even if it includes taking them on the road with you?
Just know that they can leave their mark on your car, which means you need to add pet-proofing as part of your car maintenance routine.
Here are 6 zero-hassle ways to pet-proof your car while keeping your pet safe at the same time:
1. Car hammock
If you prefer to have your dog ride in the back seat, then you should get a car hammock. Simply attach the hammock to the back-seat and front-seat headrests so that it covers the entire back section of your car. This way, your car is protected from hair, drool, food crumbs and chunks, as well as other messes your dog is perfectly capable of.
When you have passengers who need to sit in the back seat and your dog is still taking the drive with you, you can remove the attachments from the front-seat headrests and convert the hammock into a traditional seat cover.
Be sure to get a hammock that has openings for access to the seat belt buckles to ensure the safety of your pet and your human passengers.
2. Seat cover for pets
If you would rather have your pet riding shotgun, your best bet is a seat cover designed especially for pets and to protect your car’s interior. A pet seat cover shares a lot of features with the hammock, and is water resistant and made of a durable and washable fabric. Pet seat covers are also scratch proof, so your car seat will be safe from dirt, grime, and claw marks. Make sure to get a non-slip cover so you’re assure that it will stay in place throughout a drive.
3. Seat belt harness
If there’s any pet in your vehicle that is not traveling in a crate or a carrier, then a seat belt harness is a must-have. This keeps them safe in case of an accident—as well as keep them in place and prevent them from creating a mess or distracting you while you’re driving.
Do be very selective when getting a seat belt harness for your pet: Choose one that has been crash tested and certified by the Center for Pet Safety.
4. Ramp
If you have a small dog, or your dog is getting along in years and suffer from joint pains, they can have difficulty getting in and out of a car. A cat in perfect health will fare much better, of course.
Prevent pet injury and scratches in your car interior and exterior with a foldable dog ramp that is both lightweight and durable. Remember, you’re going for pet safety, car damage prevention, as well as your own convenience, so get a ramp that’s easily portable and doesn’t take up a lot of space.
5. Cargo cover
If your vehicle has a large open trunk space or removable back seats, you’ll need a cargo cover. It comes in various sizes for different cars, and you can either lay it flat on the floor or cover both the floor and the back of a bench seat. A cargo cover can save you a lot of hassle when you’re going on long trips with a big dog since it will give your pet plenty of room to get comfortable.
We recommend getting a cargo cover with a foldout flap to cover your car’s back bumper and protect it from potential nail scratches as your dog gets on or gets off the vehicle.
6. Nail caps
If you have leather or synthetic leather interior, then you will have an easier time cleaning up dirt, drool/puke, and hair; but you will still need to protect your upholstery from scratches and rips. To prevent these, consider getting nail caps. As the name suggests, they are designed to cover the tips of your dog’s/cat’s nails. Application requires a small amount of adhesive and the caps are effective for as long as 4 to 6 weeks. Ask your groomer if they can provide this service as well.
Go on, share as much time as you can with your beloved furry friend/s. They’re the best company you (and your family or loved one) could ever have. Just make sure to keep them safe if you need to take them on the road, as well as stay on top of your car maintenance and avoid costly repairs and replacements, or worse, voiding your warranty.
If you’re in the market for a vehicle service contract once your manufacturer’s warranty has run out, check out EverCare Protection’s vehicle service contract plans, as well as other products.