Car Travel and Pet Restraints

We know they feel like king of the world, with their faces pointed up into the wind, soaking up sun rays, smiling like their pockets were full of bones, but the fact of the matter is our pets are safer when crated or harnessed and not hanging out the car window. Even cats, who people think may fare better on their own in an accident, survive with less injury when they're inside a carrier.

It has to do with momentum. The further you're thrown after impact the more speed/momentum you develop and the greater the likelihood of serious injury.

So a free-roaming pet risks being thrown around or from the car at a high rate of speed incurring serious injuries. Also, I see eye injuries resulting from dust or debris hitting a dog's eye at 60 mph and hear about accidents or near accidents caused by an unruly pet scampering around the car. Sure it's fun to have your pet prowling around your lap or barking out a window, but consider what would happen if an accident did occur. Always crate or harness your pets when traveling.

Article by Dr. Jeff Werber, DVM