Your Dog Should Be Wearing a Seatbelt on Road Trips. Here's Why

25.09.2024 - 14:45 / matadornetwork.com

According to a recent Pew Research study, 51 percent of people think their pets are not just part of the family, but also say they love them as much as the human members of their families. And when you narrow it down to two-person households with no kids — as my husband and I happily have — that number skyrockets, with 65 percent of people saying they love their pets as much as human members of their family.

When it comes to my dog, I can say I not only love him as much as a human, but may potentially love him evenmore than some people love their kids (hey, we’ve all seen exasperated parents with screaming kids). We snuggle together in the evenings on the couch, he sleeps right next to me in the bed, and the thought of spending more than a few days away from him is heartbreaking. Usually, he refuses to even go for a walk without both his family members. (Yes, he’s spoiled).

Best friends forever. Photo: Suzie Dundas

That’s why when my husband and I take a road trip, we take our dog with us. We often make the long drive between our home in Northern California to southern British Columbia, and naturally, our pup comes along. But one thing that always stuns me when I talk to my friends is how few of them secure their dogs in their cars in any way whatsoever.

If we love our dogs as much as our family members, why are we risking their lives in cars? I would never let my elderly mother or a niece or nephew ride in the car without a seatbelt, so why do so many people skip using dog seatbelts?

For our road trips, our dog is secured with a dog seatbelt for every mile of the trip, whether he likes it or not. Truthfully, he’d rather sit on my lap the whole way. The “dog seatbelt” is actually a burly harness, with a device that keeps the actual seatbelt from retracting when fully extended. The fully extended human seatbelt weaves across the back of the dog safety harness, securing our dog in case of an unexpected impact or slide.

Our pup buckled up and ready to roll (and hugging his favorite stuffed whale). Photo: Suzie Dundas

According to the American Humane Society, an 80-pound dog can exert 2,400 pounds of force in a car accident that happens at just 30 mph. And having your dog hit your dashboard with 2,400 pounds of force would be horrific for both of you. Wearing dog seatbelts can make crashes less likely, too, as you’re less likely to be distracted by your pet while driving.

But having a seatbelt for your dog isn’t just about keeping them safe in case of an accident — it’s also about keeping them with you. Dogs can get easily lost during car crashes, either by jumping out of windows, getting thrown from the car, or jumping out when someone opens your door to see if you’re okay. Having your dog loose on the road is