PetSugar

Drink Up: Bring Your Own Water Along For the Ride

PetSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:00:26 -0700

When traveling with a pooch - bring water. Not everyone normally treats a pet to purified beverages, but you can reuse old water bottles by filling with your home's tap water before you go. That way your pooch willl have the same drinking water he's used to, an especially helpful step for sensitive tummies.

As a bonus before long car rides, I also freeze a bottle and place it near North so he can lick the condensation while in his carrier - it adds baby sips without increasing the necessary potty breaks along the way. No matter if you normally reuse old plastic takeout containers, tote his regular serving pieces, or make do with whatever's handy to offer up that roadside drink, see a couple cute portable bowls to add to his travel kit in the widget below.

Let Dogs Take a Backseat

PetSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:00:27 -0700

Road trip! If you're hitting the mean streets for a trip this (long) weekend, don't forget a safe spot for your pet. As cute as it is to have him ride shotgun, or in your lap, I don't recommend it.
If the airbags deploy, the force can kill or seriously hurt a pooch in a minor accident that would have barely roughed him up otherwise. While it's possible to disable passenger side bags on many cars, I put North's fab carseat in the back diagonally from the driver's seat. This means I can keep an eye on him from the rearview mirror and glance back at him more easily at red lights than if he was directly behind me. Happy trails to you, too!

Source: Flickr User ByJane

How Often Do Your Pets Take Car Trips?

PetSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:00:40 -0700

Well they're usually not behind the wheel - don't worry, this car is parked - but how often do your pets travel via car?

CarTatt: Spoiled Sweet or Spoiled Rotten?

PetSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 04:00:17 -0700

These aren't stickers for tweens' Trapper Keepers - do those still exist? - they're for adults 16 and up. Why, you may wonder? Since they go on your automobiles!

CarTatts offers a kennel full of dog breeds for you to decorate your ride - This premade design is about eight bucks but you can upload your pet's actual picture into several frame options for just a few dollars more. Will I be driving by your puppy love while cruisin' down the highway?

I Need Your Help . . . Potty Time on Cross Country Cat Drives?

PetSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 08:00:22 -0700

Most kitties are not lining up to take a car ride like the cutely curious cat pictured. Leaving the house way less frequently than canine counterparts, home is definitely where their hearts stay.Relocating with a pet that hates cars is not easy but I've never stopped to consider the litter problem for trips including several days of driving. When advising about what to do with pets and movers on Thursday, I spotted this bathroom break question in the comments - peep it when you read more.

TeamSugar user Jabbadoo says:

I'm moving cross country by driving my car out over three or four days. I'm concerned about the logistics with two cats - they yowl like I'm torturing them on the way to the vet one mile away so how will they do for hours in a car? Yes, they have a big crate but do I put the litter box in there, too? It's not like a dog where I can pull over at a rest stop and let them out to run around a little so if anyone has any tips on this, please let me know!

Since I've never driven long distances with a feline friend, I'd love to hear your suggestions or solutions to the all-important potty problem in the comments below.

Source

Quiz: What Do You Know About Dogs Left in Cars?

PetSugar — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:40:59 -0700

The weather's heating up and it's time to head out! Before you do, I wanted to give you a heads up on leaving a dog inside for a "quick errand" on your way back again. Ever notice how hot your car gets on a Summer day? Well, imagine how a pup feels trapped inside that greenhouse. In case you're tempted to try this out at home, take this quiz to see some shocking stats to change your mind.

Take the quiz

Seat Belt Plus This Product Equals Safe Car Trips

PetSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 11:30:30 -0700

Not everyone's lucky enough to have a fabulously pet-friendly SUV or super-sized wagon with room for crates in the back. So imagine difficult travel with crates precariously balancing behind you or coaxing a dog to stay strapped into a belt, sitting back on the seat. Doesn't sound like my idea of a good time.If this sounds all too familiar and not too fun, banish uncomfortable car rides and check out the innovative Seat Extender ($80). The backseat space filler comes with an air pump to stuff that floor space and room on top to make the seat bigger . . . and help anything you toss up there, not fall off when you speed away on the next journey.

Honda Element Goes to the Dogs!

PetSugar — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:20:20 -0700

I may not be in the market for a new car, but the Element would top my list if I was. Already a great option for big-dog owners, the 2009 model is packed full of pet-friendly goodness. Want to see my fave features of the car making its big debut at the New York International Auto Show today? Start this slideshow so both you (and your furry friend) can drool away.

View Slideshow ›

Do Tell: Does This Product Make You Uncomfortable, Too?

PetSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:15:50 -0700

In no way do I support the idea of leaving pets in a closed car, no matter the temperature or time you'll be away. However, I know from trips around town that many, many people still do this. It makes me sad to see pups trapped inside cars when I walk by but hey, what can I do?

That being said, for those people who believe just "running in" is OK, how do you feel about this
Walky Lock Car Lock? On the one hand, people are gonna do what they're gonna do and, while I don't agree, this product would at least offer more air and safe space for larger pets that couldn't still wriggle out. But I worry it could encourage those on the fence to try this practice on for size. What's your take on the Walky Lock?

This Crate Makes the Car Part of Vet and Groomer Trips Easier

PetSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:15:10 -0700

When picking up a jumbo-sized bag of dog food at my local pet megastore, I noticed a frustrated-looking owner try to lure his poodle into a standard crate in the back of his SUV fresh from the in-house groomers. Now, some people find it easier to load up a pup inside the home before carrying the animal and crate out to the car, but this isn't always possible on the way back.With larger dogs, couple a pet ramp with a side opening crate like The Other Door Steel Crate ($200). It's way easier to let a pet walk in from the side than have to maneuver to the traditional lengthwise door in a limited car space or this model has (yet) another door on top for lifting and loading – that's three ways total!