Summertime is our favorite time because that means good weather, barbecue and more time with friends. Summertime is also a great time for your furry friends. Our pets love summer just as much as we do because for them, it means more playtime and long scenic drives.

As much as we take care of ourselves while we are driving, we must be just as cautious when driving with our furry friends. Follow these tips to have a safe drive with our beloved friends:

• Never leave your pet in the car. In a matter of minutes, pets can get heatstroke and suffocate. If possible, leave your pets at home. If you must drive with them, have supplies of food and water ready for them.
• Take frequent stops for bathroom and food breaks for your furry friends. Especially if your dog is not used to taking long drives, this will help them be on the road so much.
• Keeping your pet restrained during a trip is recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Something big enough for them to get up, lie down and turn around in. This will prevent them from jumping around in the car or blocking your view.
• Keep remedies for nauseousness on standby. Pets, mostly puppies, can vomit during their first few car rides. Eventually, they will outgrow the motion sickness, but just in case, have some remedies on hand especially if you will be going on a long drive.
• Do not let your pet have their head out the window as this can be potentially dangerous with flying debris getting caught on them or fall out of the moving vehicle.

As long as your pet is safe, comfortable and secure, there is no reason they can’t join you for a ride. But if you or someone you love has been hurt due to a driver who was negligent or distracted while driving with an unsecured pet, you should contact a personal injury attorney from Hupy and Abraham right away. Call 800-800-5678 to schedule a consultation, or start a live chat with us anytime at Hupy.com.