Keeping your dog safe in and around cars

"My family's taking a day trip to visit some relatives. Can we bring our pooch along for the ride?"

"I just need to pick up a few things in the store. Is it okay if I leave Rex alone in the car for a few minutes?"

"I've heard that antifreeze can kill dogs and cats. Is this true?"

Check out the following safety tips that can help prevent your companion animals from getting hurt in and around vehicles.

Tips for dog safety in vehicles

Your trusty car can get you where you need to go, but if your dog is going to be joining you, there are some important things you "auto" understand. Whether you are taking a seven-hour journey or a trip to the veterinarian, keep your dog safe and secure at all times.

Crates are available in various models:

• Wire mesh
• Hard plastic
• Soft-sided

Some of the soft-sided carriers even have safety straps that can accommodate seat belts. Whatever type you choose, make sure it is large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in. Also, take care that there is ample ventilation on as many sides as possible to dissipate heat build-up and provide optimum air circulation. And always remember to bring along water for your dog. If your dog tends to stress out on car trips, familiarize her with the carrier in the comfort of your home. Simply place a favorite toy in the carrier, and praise and reward your dog each time she ventures in to explore. If you do not have room for a crate, a harness that is designed to be used with a seat belt is another way to keep your dog safe in a car.

Never leave dogs in cars

No matter the weather, no matter how brief a time you will be away, never leave your dog alone in a parked car. In the winter, a car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold and a dog can freeze to death. And when the weather is warmer, a parked car, truck or van can quickly become a furnace on a hot day, even with the windows open. Overheating can kill a dog. Parking in the shade offers little protection, as the sun shifts during the course of the day.

Antifreeze can kill

When walking your dog or allowing supervised playtime outside, you will need to be extra-vigilant if your dog will be near any vehicles. Antifreeze, while essential to a car's cooling system, can be very dangerous to your dog (and your neighbor's pets) should they lick it. Animals are very attracted to antifreeze’s sweet taste and ingesting just a small amount can be fatal. Be alert for antifreeze or other automotive fluids leaking from your vehicle, and be sure to immediately clean up any spills. If you use antifreeze, please consider switching to a propylene glycol-based formula, which provides an added margin of safety for pets and wildlife.

And finally, keep in mind that during the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. It may be warmer, but an automobile's fan belt can kill or injure a cat when the motor is started. If you know there are outdoor cats in your neighborhood, please bang loudly on the hood of the car and wait a few seconds before turning on the engine.