How to Dog Proof Your Car

If you’re a dog lover, you know dogs are like furry little members of the family. They’re wonderful companions and want only to be with their humans, so it’s a no-brainer that you’d want to take them with you when you travel. In fact, many dogs are wonderful companions, and many hotels accept dogs as guest, so traveling with your dog can be a pleasant and easy experience. The problem is, dogs shed, get muddy, and have nails that can scratch car upholstery. Some dogs get anxious or even carsick on road trips. How can you make traveling with man’s best friend a little easier? The answer is to dog-proof your car and car-proof your dog! We’ve got some tips to help you make it happen.

• Give your car a good cleaning. Before you get started with dog-proofing, you’ll want to clean your car thoroughly. Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove all the debris, spills, pet hair, and dried liquids from your vehicle. Take care to carefully pull any and all moisture out of the upholstery. If you don’t have the time or the tools to handle this task yourself, it’s well worth taking it to a professional to make sure it’s completely clean. You don’t want protective measures you put in place to simply trap existing dirt in your car’s upholstery and carpeting.
• Implement a good car seat cover. Now that your car is clean, keep it that way by investing in seat covers. You won’t be able to keep dog hair out of your car if you’re going to be traveling with your dog, so you’ll want to cover the seats with something that will catch the hair and make it easy to clean out of your car. If you have vinyl or leather seats, you’ll also be faced with the problem of keeping your pooch from scratching the upholstery. This is another issue resolved by a good cover. If you don’t want to invest in fitted car seat covers, at least use a blanket on your car’s upholstery. Another option that you might already have is a car cover, which can be used to protect the seats and the floor.
• Cover your windows as well. You probably aren’t too keen on snoot streaks and dog slobber all over your windows, but it’s inevitable if you’re traveling with your dog. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution! Cover your windows with clear plastic wrap to protect them from doggy prints without impeding your vision. When you get home, you can just peel off the plastic wrap and throw it away. Note: don’t let your dog stick his head out of the open window while you’re driving. It’s dangerous because flying debris can injure your pet and if the window opens far enough the dog can fall out of the car.
• Help your little buddy climb aboard. Whether you purchased your car from a new car dealership, a private owner, or a used car dealer, it probably didn’t come with a doggy ramp on board. You can easily purchase a ready-made ramp, though, to allow your dog easy access to your vehicle.
• Remember that what goes in is likely to come out. Be careful not to give your dog too much food or water before you set out on your trip, especially if your pet is prone to carsickness. That being said, it’s smart to carry snacks and allow your dog to drink water when you take breaks. Make sure you give your dog plenty of time to relieve himself outside before you pack him into the car, and carry poop bags in case you need them at a rest area.
• Take steps to keep your dog safe. Provide a designated space for your dog so he isn’t moving around the car, risking harm and causing you to be distracted. In many places, dogs must be secured with a seat belt harness or kept in a crate while the car is moving, so check your state laws to determine which restrictions apply to you.
• Clean up messes before they become a problem. Even the most well-planned trips have some bumps along the way. Similarly, no matter how far you go to protect your car, there is bound to be an accident from time to time. To keep these from permanently staining your car’s upholstery or carpet, you’ll need to clean them up as soon as possible. Keep a spray bottle of carpet or upholstery cleaner in the car to remove any spots, checking the manufacturer’s recommendations so that you won’t accidentally cause damage to your vehicle when you’re cleaning it. Think about odors, too, perhaps using essential oils to keep your car smelling good. As a bonus, some essential oils are anti-microbial, which is helpful when you’re dealing with the causes of pet odors. By planning ahead and protecting your car’s interior, you may be able to prevent most of these problems, but if there’s any cleanup to be done, it’s important that you use products that actually eliminate the stain or odor instead of simply covering them up or masking them. Stains and odors left untreated are likely to resurface later.

If you’re looking for a new or used vehicle to transport your family and pets, look no further than Dixie Buick GMC! At Dixie Buick GMC, we’ve been serving the community of Fort Myers, Florida since 1934. With an extensive online inventory and welcoming showroom, we work with customers to help them find the right new or used vehicle to meet their needs and fit their budgets. Buying a car can be an overwhelming process because there are so many options out there, but we’re here for you, from the trade in process, through working with your credit, to providing excellent service, performed by certified factory-trained technicians, after you’ve purchased your vehicle. To learn more about what our award-winning sales and service team can do for you, visit our showroom, browse vehicles on our website, give us a call at 239-330-9918, or contact us online.