Traveling with pets should be safe

Many of America’s 64 million pet owners who take their four-legged friends along on trips, may not be familiar with the best ways to keep them safe and secure along the way.

The Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge Service specialists provide the following quiz to test your knowledge of pet vehicle safety and to ensure a trouble-free road trip.

Questions:

1. Where is the safest place for your pet to sit? (a) on the driver’s lap (b) in the front passenger’s seat beside the driver (c) in the rear seat (d) in the back, if it’s a pickup truck.

2. Should your pet be allowed to put its head out the window? (a) yes (b) if the window is open a maximum of three inches (c) never.

3. How often do pets require rest stops? (a) every hour (b) when they tell you they need to (c) whenever you do.

4. Should you ever leave your pet in the car? (a) yes (b) only if you leave the window slightly opened (c) only if it is for 10 minutes or less (d) never.

5. What should you do if your pet gets motion sickness? (a) take it on shorter trips (b) let it ride in the front seat (c) leave it at home.

Answers:

1. (c) If your pet is placed in the back seat away from the driver, it minimizes distractions that can cause accidents. If deployed in an accident, an air bag can actually harm a pet. According to an AAA study, pets are ranked the third worst in-car distraction, placing higher than cell phone usage. For added safety, place your pet in a harness or cage secured by a seatbelt.

2. (c) According to The Humane Society of the United States, dogs, or any pets that put their heads out the window, risk developing an infection or injury from dirt or debris carried in the air.

3. All answers are correct. Frequent stops are an opportunity for your pet to stretch its legs, drink water and have something to eat. This advice does not apply to cats, though, as they have a tendency to take off if let loose.

4. (d) According to The Humane Society of the United States, by leaving a pet in the car, you run the risk of exposing your pet to heat stress or pet theft. On a hot day, the temperature in a parked car can reach 192 degrees, even with the windows partially open. Pets are particularly sensitive to heat stress and heat stroke.

5. (a) Take it on shorter trips. Most motion sickness is caused by stress. Introduce your pet to car travel with shorter trips and they may eventually become more comfortable with car travel.

This story was provided by the North American Precis Syndicate.