Do you crate your pets?

[Guy]

I know people have different philosophies about containing their pets in their vehicles while traveling. They say pets should be crated for safety purposes in the event of a collision. Do you crate yours?

 

[Bridey]

When I was a kid we had a dog that sat on the seat of our car! It was really dangerous I guess, so if I got another one now I would try a dog seatbelt. Crating seems drastic but maybe good for small animal transport.

 

[Gomera]

I'm not sure what is best. I've yet to find dog seat belts that my dogs like. Crates would be too involved unless it's a small pet. I just don't know what the best or right thing is.

 

[Speedo]

I've never crated my pets, except for kittens. The dog sits on the backseat with her head out the window. The cat roams the car, complaining. Kittens are the worst - if you leave them loose they'll crawl right under your pedals. One kitten will stay in your lap, but more than one - definitely a crate.

 

[jason]

The dogs sit in the back. The wife puts them in the very back of her SUV. I did have one dog jump out the window, scared me half to death that I ran her over. Thankfully I did not and she was fine. But now I only crack the windows the slightest.

 

[avamerican]

We don't always crate our pets but I think it's a good idea, especially for little dogs that get nervous on the ride. We have the small variety and if they get loose and start pacing around, they can easily get underfoot (by the pedals) or jump into the driver's lap. For a bigger dog or dogs that are obedient, I don't see what the big deal is. In my state there is talk of a new bill being passed to make it illegal for a dog to ride in the front seat. I think that's how it went...I'll have to go back and read it again.

 

[Guy]

I have two big dogs, a pick up truck and an SUV. We have a crate for each of them in the bed of the pick up, which is an open bed. We got a pet barrier grate for the SUV, which keeps them separated from the passengers.

 

[Crissy]

I don't crate my pets in the car (unless I'm traveling with anything that isn't a dog) because I find that it stresses the dogs out even more to be in a crate in a car. I like to use a seat belt for dogs to keep them safe in the car. I think that makes them feel a lot better and it is safe for them too.

 

[avamerican]

No, my bad. No legislation here in CA. Just a study done by AAA about how riding with our pets is considered as dangerous as texting while driving. Especially if the driver is occupied or petting the dog. So they are basically saying, have the dog restrained. Like chrissy stated, with a seatbelt or a crate. Makes me wonder if this study is going to lead to yet ANOTHER law...