Road Trip Planned? Keep Car Windows Closed or Bring Goggles!

We know they love it, which is probably why so many of us make a point of immediately lowering the car windows to the “just-right” height that enables our four-legged passengers to enjoy the sounds and smells that come from the great outdoors. There’s so much to see, all that mental stimulation… what could go wrong, right?

If you think your biggest worry is ensuring your little buddy doesn’t fall out, you’re right – but there’s more you should consider. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), when transporting pets, you should always have them strapped in and/or crate them to protect them from injuries that can be incurred during sudden braking or even just taking sharp corners. This also prevents your pet from turning into a projectile, should a car accident occur and your pooch be shot forward into the front seat. Fair enough.

But truth be told, most of us don’t strap our pets in, let alone crate them each time we head out on the open road. Our caretaking tends to lean towards ensuring they’re securely placed in the back seat, chew-toy handy, the a/c directed toward them and the appropriate barriers in place to prevent them from climbing into the front and distracting our driving. Right?

Here’s the injury we didn’t anticipate and it starts by checking your windshield after a couple hours of driving. See the splats all those flying bugs made when connecting with a solid surface? That’s your dog’s face including his eyes, nose, and open mouth. And if you have any chips on your windshield from loose stones or gravel that flew up from the cars ahead of you, and connected with your vehicle, you start to understand why your pet leaning out the car window is a bad idea.

But it’s not just about the bug and small stones. Think about what we all do immediately after exploring backroads and country lanes. We wash down our vehicle to remove all that dust and dirt that’s been kicked up off the road. Again, this is the same stuff flying into your pet’s face –his mouth, nose, eyes, and ears. Even after a short drive, this type of exposure can rapidly deteriorate from a minor eye irritation into a serious corneal injury and ultimately, pricey vet bills. That’s why many manufacturers have jumped onto the safety bandwagon, creating pet goggles and helmets for owners who want to include their dog or cat on motorcycle and bicycle excursions.

This is the mindset we need to have. That, although our pet’s body is protected when sitting in the car, his head and face are as vulnerable as if he were sitting front and center on a speeding motorcycle. The bottom line: close the car windows or get him outfitted with goggles. Sound like a plan?