Keep your pets safe and stress-free this holiday season with guidance from Advanced Pet Care Clinic in Cedar Falls.
The holidays bring cozy gatherings, road trips, and festive fun—but for our furry companions, all that excitement can also mean unexpected dangers. Whether you are decorating your home or heading out to visit family, smart precautions can make sure your pets stay safe and happy. These Holiday Pet Safety Tips from Advanced Pet Care Clinic will help protect them at home and on the road.
1. Traveling With Pets: Safety Starts Before You Leave
If your holiday plans include a road trip, start by preparing your pet just as carefully as you’d plan for yourself.
- Schedule a pre-trip checkup: A quick wellness visit ensures your pet is healthy, up to date on vaccinations, and ready for travel.
- Update ID information: Make sure your pet’s collar tags and microchip details are current in case they wander off in an unfamiliar place.
- Pack smart: Bring food, water, medications, comfort items, and a leash. Familiar bedding or toys help reduce stress during travel.
It is common to see dogs riding with their heads out the window or cats curled up on the dashboard—but this is extremely dangerous. In a sudden stop or accident will throw a loose pet forward with incredible force, putting both the animal and passengers at risk.
According to the American Humane Society, a 10-pound dog in a 50-mph crash exerts about 500 pounds of force, and an 80-pound dog in a 30-mph crash can generate roughly 2,400 pounds of force. That’s the equivalent of being hit by a small motorcycle.
Crash testing by the Center for Pet Safety shows that even at 30 mph, many harnesses and carriers fail to contain a pet during impact. That’s why choosing a crash-tested harness or carrier is so important.
To keep your pets safe:
- Use carriers or crates secured with seat belts for small pets.
- Harness larger dogs with a crash-tested seat-belt restraint.
- Avoid the front seat, where airbags can cause serious injuries.
- Never let pets ride with their heads out the window—debris and cold air can harm eyes and ears.
- Always leash pets before opening car doors, as many become lost at rest stops or gas stations.
If you will be flying with your pet this holiday season, plan ahead:
- Check airline requirements for carrier dimensions, vaccination records, and health certificates.
- Ask your veterinarian if your pet is healthy enough to fly and whether calming aids may help.
- Avoid tranquilizers unless specifically prescribed by your veterinarian, they can interfere with breathing at higher altitudes.
- Label your carrier clearly with your name, phone number, and destination address.
Whether by car or plane, keeping pets secure and comfortable prevents accidents, reduces stress, and helps everyone arrive safely for the holidays.
2. The Dangers of Loose Pets in Cars
It is common to see dogs riding with their heads out the window or cats curled up on the dashboard—but this can be extremely dangerous. In a sudden stop or accident, the force can throw a pet forward with incredible force, putting both the animal and passengers at risk.
According to the American Humane Society, a 10-pound dog in a 50-mph crash exerts about 500 pounds of force, and an 80-pound dog in a 30-mph crash can generate roughly 2,400 pounds of force. Imagine that impact against a dashboard or windshield—it is easy to see why restraint matters.
Crash-testing by the Center for Pet Safety shows that even at 30 mph, many harnesses and carriers fail to contain a pet during impact. That is why choosing a crash-tested harness or carrier is so important.
To keep your pets safe:
- Use carriers or crates secured with seat belts for small pets.
- Harness larger dogs with a crash-tested seat-belt restraint.
- Avoid the front seat, where airbags can cause serious injuries.
- Never let pets ride with their heads out the window—debris and cold air can harm eyes and ears.
Keeping pets secure not only prevents injuries but also reduces distractions that could lead to accidents.
3. Road Trip Essentials: Comfort, Safety, and Prevention
Once you and your pets are safely buckled in, remember that even a well-behaved pet can become frightened or slip away in an unfamiliar area. Pets get lost at gas stations, rest stops, and even hotel parking lots during family trips—so never open a car door without a leash securely attached or a carrier closed. A startled pet can run far before you can react.
Always make sure your pet is wearing an ID tag and that their microchip information is up to date before you travel. This is the best way to reunite quickly if they become lost.
Here are additional essentials for a safe and comfortable trip:
- Frequent breaks: Stop every couple of hours for short walks and bathroom breaks.
- Hydration: Keep a portable bowl and bottled water handy to prevent dehydration.
- Temperature awareness: Never leave pets unattended in vehicles, both heat and cold can become dangerous faster than expected.
- Anxiety management: If your pet gets nervous in the car, ask your veterinarian about pheromone sprays, calming supplements, or mild medications.
- Travel supplies: Pack enough food, waste bags, and towels for the entire trip, plus a small pet first-aid kit.
A little planning goes a long way toward keeping your four-legged travel companion safe, comfortable, and calm throughout the journey.
4. Holiday Hazards at Home
If you are staying home for the holidays, keep an eye on festive risks:
- Decorations: Tinsel, ribbons, and ornaments can cause choking or intestinal blockages.
- Plants: Poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe are toxic to pets.
- Candles and cords: Keep flames, wax warmers, and electrical cords out of reach.
- Food: Avoid chocolate, grapes, onions, xylitol, and fatty table scraps. Offer pet-safe treats instead.
5. A Safe and Joyful Season
The best gift you can give your pets this season is safety and peace of mind. By preparing in advance and securing your pets while traveling, you are protecting them from serious harm—and making your own trip safer, too.
Before your holiday adventures begin, schedule a wellness visit to the Advanced Pet Care Clinic in Cedar Falls. Our team can make sure your pets are healthy, comfortable, and ready to celebrate the season safely—wherever your travels take you.
?Happy Holidays from your friends at Advanced Pet Care Clinic! May your days be merry, bright, and full of purrs, tail wags, and cozy cuddles. We’re grateful to be part of your pets’ lives and can’t wait to see them in the new year!
4507 Algonquin Drive, Suite A
Cedar Falls, IA 50613