Pet car safety 101: What every pet parent should know

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Protecting your pet protects everyone in the car

October is National Animal Safety and Protection Month  and we’ve partnered with Tavo to help spread awareness about pet car safety. When we think about car safety, most of us picture seat belts, airbags, and child car seats. But there’s one passenger that often gets overlooked: our pets. 

Unsecured dogs and cats are at risk in the event of a crash and they can also become a danger to the people they ride with. The good news? Most of these injuries can be prevented when you use crash-tested pet protection, like a Tavo pet car seat, in the back seat.

The hidden dangers of driving with unsecured pets

  • Even small accidents can lead to disaster. In a collision, an unrestrained pet can be thrown with a force 30 to 60 times its body weight. A dog or cat of any size can become a dangerous projectile. Keeping your pet properly secured protects everyone in the car  and could save your pet's life.
  • Distraction multiplies crash risk. A pet that shifts, climbs, or paws for attention can steal your eyes for a moment. The AAA Foundation’s analysis of a 2006 study conducted by Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute showed that looking away from the road for just two seconds doubles a crash risk.

  • Airbags can be deadly to pets. Airbags deploy with tremendous force designed for adult humans, not animals. Pets in the front seat can be vulnerable to serious injuries in an accident.

The veterinarian’s perspective

“We see serious injuries in pets after car accidents, often because they weren’t restrained. Using a crash-tested carrier, like those made by
Tavo, in the back seat is one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep them safe.”

— Dr. Abel Gonzalez, Dutch Medical Director 

How to travel safely with pets

  1. Always use the back seat. Pets should never ride in the front seat, where airbags can cause severe injuries.
  2. Choose crash-tested gear. Use a product tested under dynamic crash conditions, such as a Tavo pet car seat. An unsecured carrier or harness doesn’t offer proper protection.
  3. Install correctly. Use the vehicle’s seat belt system or lower anchors to restrain the carrier — loose carriers can become a projectile in a crash.

  4. Introduce your pet to the car. Even when properly restrained, an unhappy or sick pet can distract you while driving. Start with short trips, reward calm behavior, and consult your vet about motion sickness or anxiety remedies if needed.

Why we recommend Tavo pet protection systems

Tavo creates pet travel products that meet the highest standards for safety, comfort, and simplicity. Their pet travel systems are:

  • Crash-tested. Tavo car seats undergo crash testing at dynamic facilities that simulate real-world collisions.
  • Benchmarked against the United Nations ECE child restraint standard (R129). This is the strict standard for children’s car seats used in Europe based on the latest research.
  • Made from safer fabrics. Tavo uses fabrics that are naturally flame-resistant, free of harmful fire-retardant chemicals, making them safer for your pet. They’re also GREENGUARD Gold Certified to ensure they meet rigorous standards for low chemical emissions — so you and your pet are breathing cleaner air.

  • Designed with simplicity in mind. They’re easy to use so pet parents can do the right thing every single trip.

Learn more about pet safety: https://tavopets.com/usa/imagine-the-impact

 

FAQs

Where exactly should the pet car seat go? 

In the rear seat, attached to the vehicle’s restraint system as directed by the manufacturer. Avoid the cargo area unless the crate is purpose-designed and can be rigidly secured to factory tie-downs.

Is a soft travel tote okay for quick trips?

No, accidents can happen on any trip — and a 30 mph crash can lead to life-threatening injuries for your pet. Choose a crash-tested, secured carrier (like Tavo) to reduce injury risk and distraction. 

How do I properly secure a carrier in the car?

Yes. In a crash, even a heavy carrier can move if it’s not strapped in. Use the seat belt, lower anchors, or cargo tie-downs (as directed by the manufacturer) to keep it from sliding or being thrown forward.

How do I choose the right size carrier?

Your pet should be able to comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie down inside the carrier — but not have so much room that they slide around during sudden stops. Follow the manufacturer’s sizing guide and weigh your pet to ensure a good fit.

Final notes

Pet safety is family safety. Just as we secure babies and children in car seats every single time, we should also secure the fur babies who rely on us to keep them safe. A crash-tested, properly installed pet carrier protects not only your cat or dog, but everyone in the car.

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Frequently asked questions

With Dutch, you’re never alone when it comes to your pet’s health. Whether your pet needs care or you just have a question, our compassionate and knowledgeable vets are always happy to help.

Here are some ways you can use Dutch:

  • Care & prescriptions for over 150 issues
  • Behavioral health, nutrition, and exercise advice
  • Puppy, kitten, and new pet parent advice
  • Preventive care plans
  • Night and weekend vet care
  • Second opinions & follow-up care after in-person visits
  • Advice on whether you need to go to the ER or urgent care
  • Vet care when you’re traveling
  • Easy prescription refills
  • Longevity treatment plans 
  • Answers to non-urgent questions

Our vets can treat 90% of issues — but we encourage all pet parents to maintain a relationship with a local vet for things that require hands-on care. This includes: 

  • Yearly exams
  • Emergencies
  • Issues that require physical examinations (like a wound that needs stitches or trouble breathing)
  • Blood work and imaging (X-rays or ultrasounds)
  • Vaccines
  • Surgeries
  • Procedures
  • Injectable medications (if your pet needs them)

The health and safety of pets is our top priority. If one of our vets believes an in-person visit is best for your pet, they’ll refer you to a local veterinarian and advise you how to care for them until they can be seen. Our vets are happy to provide second opinions and follow-up care after in-person vet visits.

You and your pet will have a 10-minute video call with a licensed veterinarian. Here’s what to expect:

Before the call

When booking the call online, you'll be asked a few questions about your pet. Depending on the issue, you may need to fill out a longer questionnaire about their symptoms or share photographs of them so our veterinarians can better understand what’s going on. You’ll then pick an appointment time. Make sure your pet will be with you at that time — the vet will need to see them on the call.

During the video call

One of our vets will talk to you about the symptoms your pet is experiencing, ask you questions, review your pet’s medical history if you’ve provided it, look at your pet on camera, and answer any questions you have. They may ask you to perform some simple checks on your pet, like raising their gums, if needed.

After the call

The vet will send you a message with a custom treatment plan to help your pet feel better, including a link to buy any recommended prescription or over-the-counter medications. Place your order and we’ll ship it free. If you have any questions, you can message your vet anytime or book another appointment with the same vet to follow up.

Our vets can provide care and prescriptions for more than 150 issues — and over 90% of cases can be treated virtually. 

The vet can diagnose your pet based on your description of their symptoms, their medical history, seeing them during your video call, and, if needed, through uploaded photos and videos. They may ask you to do a few simple checks during the call. We also offer a number of at-home lab test kits for dogs and cats.

The health and safety of pets is our top priority. In the rare case that a vet determines a pet needs to go to a local clinic, they’ll provide a referral and offer advice on how to care for them until they can be seen. 

Some things that require in-person care include emergencies, wounds that need stitches, and issues that require blood work, imaging (X-rays or ultrasounds), or surgery.

Our vets are always available for second opinions and follow-up care after in-person vet visits — so you don’t have to navigate health issues alone.

Our memberships are designed to make your pet’s care as easy and affordable as possible. Here’s how your costs will break down:

Membership: You can choose to pay the total price upfront or in 4 installments. All memberships include unlimited care for up to 5 pets at no extra cost.

Vet calls and messaging: No cost — video chat and message with vets as often as you need for free.

Medication: The price will vary depending on your pet’s needs. To keep your costs down, we offer a price-match guarantee, free standard shipping, $25 off your first product order, and 20% off your first flea & tick order.

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