Buy a Dog Car Seat

We all know dogs love to ride in the car -- go on a trip, watch the scenery go by and feel the wind on their snouts. But is it safe?

If you want to keep your dog safe -- and comfortable -- on car trips, you're probably thinking about buying a dog car seat.

Dog car seats come in many colors, sizes and materials. Here's a guide on how to buy one:

If you want a dog car seat that will keep your dog safe, you should look for several features:

• First, the car seat should be able to be strapped to your car -- either with the passenger seatbelt in your car, or with a strap that's part of the car seat.
• Second, the car seat should come with a strap or harness that safely secures your dog to the car seat and prevents her from jumping out while you're driving.
• Third, a small dog car seat might be raised, to allow your small dog to get a better view out the window. A small dog car seat also is referred to as a lookout dog car seat or a dog car booster seat.

For your your dog's comfort, any car seat for dogs also should be sturdy on the outside with a soft, comfortable lining that your dog can settle into and relax while enjoying the scenery.

In addition to purchasing a dog car seat, many people also purchase a dog seat belt -- actually a dog safety harness. A dog safety harness is a harness that fits on a dog like an ordinary harness, except it is made from extra-durable nylon material that looks almost like a car seat belt. The safety harness straps onto a car seat belt -- or, in this case, a dog carseat -- and safely secures the dog in place during the trip.

These are fairly basic accessories that often are purchased along with pet car seats.

Finally, if you have a larger dog who won't fit in a dog car seat, and you just use a dog safety harness to keep him safe on car rides, you might want to buy a dog car seat cover to make your dog's journey more comfortable and to protect your car seats from dog hair, slobber and muddy pawprints.

Dog car seat covers come in bench style, which just fits right over your back seat, or hammock style. A dog car seat cover can come in many different colors and materials, but most are made to be durable enough to stand up to wear and tear from a fairly large dog.

Once you have your dog car seat or your dog car seat cover, along with a safety harness for your dog, you're set to hit the road. Before you do, here are a few tips for safe travels with your dog:

1. The ASPCA offers several pet travel tips, including recommendations to secure your pet (the ASPCA recommends a well-ventilated crate or carrier, but a safety harness can be acceptable too) and to make sure your pet is wearing ID and a microchip (this is important because dogs sometimes escape and run from the scene of car accidents) and to not let your dog stick his head out the window.
2. Don't forget to bring all of your dog's travel supplies with you. This might include collapsible food and water bowls, extra food, plenty of bottled water, your dog's bed or favorite blanket, and medications or supplements your dog takes and a dog first aid kit, which should contain antibacterial ointment, bandages, Pepto Bismol for upset stomach, Benadryl for allergies and salve for cracked or dry paw pads.
3. If you're going on a road trip of more than a day, find a pet-friendly hotel that will accept you and your pup. PetsWelcome.com provides a locator for pet-friendly hotels.

Have fun and enjoy your trips with your canine friend!

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/melanieburger/ / CC BY-ND 2.0