The call of the open road is exciting, and bringing your four-legged co-pilot along makes the adventure even better. But for a pet, a car ride is more than just a change of scenery—it’s a new environment with unfamiliar sounds and movements. A little planning can make the difference between a stressful trip and a fantastic memory. Before you pack the snacks and queue the playlist, it’s crucial to think about your pet’s safety and comfort.
At Pet Urgent Care of Wesley Chapel, we know that preventing an accident is always the best medicine. That’s why we’ve put together these essential tips for a smooth and safe journey.
The Most Important Tip: Secure Your Pet
In a sudden stop or a crash, an unrestrained pet becomes a projectile, posing a serious danger to themselves and everyone else in the vehicle. It’s also a major source of driver distraction. Never let a pet roam free in a moving car.
How to Secure Your Pet:
- Crates & Carriers: This is the safest way for any pet to travel. Choose a well-ventilated, hard-sided carrier that is large enough for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Secure the crate with a seatbelt or straps so it cannot slide.
- Harnesses & Seatbelts: For dogs who don’t do well in crates, a crash-tested safety harness that attaches to the seatbelt system is a good alternative. Always place them in the back seat to avoid injury from airbags.
- Heads Inside: As tempting as it is to see them enjoy the wind, never let a pet ride with their head out the window. They are at risk for injuries from road debris, which increases their chances of being ejected from the vehicle in an accident.
What Happens When You’re Not on the Road
An emergency doesn’t just happen in the car. Many pet travel injuries occur at rest stops or destinations when a panicked pet gets loose in an unfamiliar area.
Seek Urgent Care For:
- Being hit by a car, even if they seem okay
- Heatstroke (excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, or collapse)
- Cuts, scrapes, or bite wounds from an encounter with another animal
- Sudden limping or signs of pain after a fall or rough play
- Vomiting or diarrhea that persists, which can quickly lead to dehydration
How We Help with Travel-Related Mishaps
A travel-related emergency is frightening, but our clinic is ready. Our in-house diagnostic tools mean we can quickly take X-rays to check for broken bones or perform blood tests to assess for internal issues. Our team is skilled at managing trauma, treating wounds, and stabilizing pets suffering from heatstroke so they can get back on the road to recovery. A critical rule of travel is to never, ever leave your pet alone in a parked car—not even for a minute. On an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car can reach 102 degrees in just 10 minutes.
Call Us When the Unexpected Happens
If your trip takes a wrong turn, our team at Pet Urgent Care of Wesley Chapel is here to help. Call us at (813) 279-6500 so we can prepare for your arrival. We are located at 27027 State Road 56, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544.
Our Business Hours
- Mon: 24 hours
- Tue: 6 pm – 11 pm
- Wed: 6 pm – 11 pm
- Thur: 24 hours
- Fri: 24 hours
- Sat: 24 hours
- Sun: 24 hours
Our Holiday Hours
- New Year’s Day: 9 am-11 pm
- Memorial Day: 9 am-11 pm
- Independence Day: 9 am-11 pm
- Labor Day: 9 am-11 pm
- Thanksgiving Eve: 2 pm – 11 pm
- Thanksgiving Day: 9 am-11 pm
- Christmas Eve: 2 pm – 11 pm
- Christmas Day: 9 am-11 pm
- New Year’s Eve: 2 pm – 11 pm