Torque of the town

Can any of your readers share how they make sure their dogs travel safely in the car? I’ve been using a dog guard between the boot where my dog travels and the passenger seat in the back, but have recently realised this is the crumple zone, and obviously cars have this for a reason.

Are purpose-built crates for the boot better, or should I try some sort of seatbelt? Would this allow my dog to move around a bit and remain comfortable? I drive a Ford Fiesta.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thank you,

Danielle, by email

Homeward bound

Hi Dogs Today,

Can you help?

Now the weather is becoming foul, I’m remembering just how long the smell of wet dog stays in the car after a walk and how much more cleaning is required. We strap Snoopy in so he travels inside the car. I do take a towel with me to dry off muddy paws and fur after my crossbreed has had a swim, but I’m wondering if there are any products that might limit the wet dog smell so human passengers aren’t subjected to such a stink and the seats don't get quite so muddy? 

Hopeful thanks,

Mrs D’Souza, by email

DCYD: what do you do when travelling alone?

We are soon to get a puppy. We cannot wait. However, although we don’t have any holidays planned for the summer this year, do you have any advice for traveling with dogs in hot weather. Sometimes there are major hold ups on the roads and although you can give your dog water and have the car windows down, as your ad shows, the car can still get tremendously hot in a very short space of time.

Also, if traveling alone with your dog and you need to use the toilet, what can be done about your dog? Sometimes the places are very large and there are often queues (especially for females) you can easily be gone for 15 mins. Far too long to leave your dog!! Do you have any advice? If you do would you kindly post it to your website as I am sure this is something people may not have thought of.

Kind regards,

Avril Howe, by email



The RSPCA advises...

 

Each year the RSPCA receives around 6,000 calls from members of the public concerned about an animal that has been left in a car on the street, in a supermarket car park or at a public event.

Dogs can die from heatstroke in as little as 20 minutes. In warm, sunny weather cars become ovens and even if it’s cloudy, the temperature inside a car can become dangerously hot for a dog. When it is just 22°C (72°F) outside, the temperature inside a car can soar to 47°C (117°F) or even higher. For this reason, the RSPCA advises that animals are never left inside cars.
 

If a dog left in a car is panting for breath, it may be starting to suffer from heatstroke. This could kill the dog very quickly.

 

Leaving the car windows open or putting a bowl of water inside does not help.

 

Temperatures in air conditioned cars can reach the same as the outside air temperature within just five minutes of air conditioning being turned off.

 

Owners who put an animal at risk by leaving it locked inside a car can face prosecution.

Below is a link to our page that gives advice on this:

http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/dogs/health/dogsinhotcars/-/article/CAD_DogsDieInHotCars

Motorway service stations reply...

A Welcome Break spokesperson said...

Our policy on allowing dogs into our services is much the same as any other restaurant/eatery, i.e. we only allow guide dogs.

A Roadchef spokesperson said...

 

We welcome all customers at Roadchef Motorway Service areas. However, as we are predominately a catering business we must abide by all environmental health and hygiene regulations. As a result, we do not deem it appropriate in all circumstances to allow dogs inside our motorway service areas (except of course for guide dogs or other assistance dogs).
We do recognise the dangers of leaving dogs in cars, and as such, provide water bowls and places to tie up leads outside our motorway service areas.

Kirsty Birkin, Moto, said...

Only guide dogs are allowed internally on our sites. Being a dog owner myself, if I am travelling on my own I tie my dog up in a safe area if I need to use the rest room.

Don't freeze your dog

Hi,

I came across your webpage and whilst searching for guidelines on dogs in cars (www.dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/dontcookyourdog/).

I try and take my dogs to work every day and in the summer will leave the boot open for them to keep cool.

However, I can’t seem to find any advice on what to do when the weather is cold i.e. should I still keep a window open?

I generally put rugs on them and open a window at lunch after they have been for a run but in the morning when it’s really cold I don’t know whether to have a window open or not? (If it’s really really cold I leave them at home).

Any advice would really be appreciated as I can only find info on summer months and dogs in “hot” cars!

Thank you

Amy, by email