Creating a Pet-Friendly Car

Sometimes, our furry companions end up as passengers – requiring trips to the vet, accompanying us on road trips, coming along for a ride to the park, needing to be shuttled to the groomers - and pets are not exempt from a safe and enjoyable car ride. There are many ways and pet-friendly car accessories to ensure your fur baby gets just that. You also have the cleanliness and hygiene inside your car to think about, as pets can often leave mess in their wake.

Here are our top safety measures and pet-friendly car accessories for a smooth, safe and clean ride with your furry companion.

Safety First

The safest spot for your pet, if they’re not travelling in a carrier, is the back seat. When it comes to seatbelts and securing, just like human passengers, your pets should be fastened in to prevent them roaming around the cabin or sticking their head out of the window – both of which are an unsafe distraction for the animal and anyone in the car.

Use a pet seatbelt harness, pet carrier, mesh barrier, or a car seat for pets to keep your buddy safely anchored in. Ensure any form of safety restraint or feature you use is properly fitted and ideal for the type and size of your pet – research goes a long way. It's also a good idea to investigate the laws regarding pet restraints in your state for clarity around safety and legal implications.

Animals can get spooked or unsettled easily, so ease them in with a short trip around the block if it’s their first ride, and keep them distracted with their favourite (quiet) toys.

Keep it Clean

Pets leave fur, hair, mess – it’s inevitable. But there are plenty of pet hair solutions and ways to keep your car clean pre- and post-drive.

The best way to prevent too much mess is to actually clean your animal before you set out on a trip. Give them a good brush to remove any loose hairs and wipe their paws to avoid cute paw prints all over your upholstery.

If you don’t have a waterproof pet mat in your car, consider investing in some portable, machine-washable seat covers – padded ones have the bonus of a cushiony ride for your furry friend.

If fur and hair does happen to coat your cabin, some simple and effective pet hair solutions include rolling Velcro curlers or a lint roller over your seats to pick up stray hairs; duct tape also does the trick. Also, a solid vacuuming seems obvious but is probably your best bet for picking up visible hair and fur. For more stubborn or hard-to-reach pockets, use a wire brush (but be gentle so as to not damage the fabric in your car).

Pet-Friendly Car Accessories

Different car features for pets serve different purposes – but all help your fur baby have an enjoyable and smooth journey.

A car booster seat is an ideal feature for small to medium-sized dogs – it keeps them secure and can be easily installed in most cars. Many pet car booster seats have pockets to store treats and toys, so everything is conveniently contained like a little travel pack for your pooch. If they’re travelling in a carriage or on the back seat, keep your pet from slipping around with a non-slip waterproof mat, which also helps keep upholstery clean from pet hair or accidental soiling.

A collapsible pet bowl is a good idea for any rest and hydration stopovers – which you should be including on longer drives. And don’t forget the poop bags so you can clean up as you go, while a dog waste holder is super handy if you end up somewhere more remote on a road trip and waste bins are scarce.

^Disclaimer

^{Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.}