How to Travel Safely With Your Pets

This content is brought to you by our sponsor Toyota.

With the long Labor Day weekend coming up, many Portland pet owners are looking forward to packing their furry friends in their cars for some fun, end-of-summer adventures. We asked our friends at Toyota to share some tips for safe car travel with cats and dogs; here’s what they said.

• Pack a travel kit! Food, a bowl, a leash, and plastic bags are musts, and a toy will give your pet a sense of security during road trips. If your pet has a hard time relaxing in the car, try bringing a favorite blanket or pet bed along for the ride; the familiar scents of home can help calm your pup or kitty. Calming pheromone products for cats can also be helpful; NWAC vet and volunteer Jessica swears by pheromone sprays for anxious cats!

• Secure your pet with a harness and seat buckle or in a crate while your vehicle is in motion. A minor collision, or even a sudden stop, can cause injuries like bone fractures and lacerations to an unrestrained pet. Find a way to safely secure them for the duration of car rides — e.g., not in your lap — and avoid driving distractions like eating and texting, while you’re at it.

• Never leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle! Severe temperatures can make animals sick quickly. Even with outdoor temperature as low as 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the interior temperature of a vehicle that has been turned off can soar within minutes. That means your pet can’t be left in a locked car on even a mild summer or fall day.

In the market for a safe, pet-friendly car? Here are the top Toyota vehicles to consider:

• Toyota 4Runner

  The Toyota 4Runner is a great vehicle for those who have multiple pets that they want to travel with. In addition to offering plenty of space for you and your pets, it’s great for road trips and adventures.

  Pet owners love features like the power rear window. With just a push of a button, Toyota 4Runner owners can roll down this window. If your pets are in the cargo area, they’ll be able to feel the refreshing cool breeze. They’ll love how comfortable the drive is.

  The 4Runner also has folding flat rear seats, one of the features for making sure your pets have enough space as you travel. Plus air filtration, available heated seats, and so much more. Your pets will also love spending long drives with the available durable TRD off-road fabric seating.

• Toyota Sienna

  The Toyota Sienna is an ideal car for families—including broods whose families include four-legged members. When you’re traveling with pets, especially multiple pets, and human passengers, you’ll need as much cargo space as you can possibly get.

  In that category, the Sienna is a great Toyota for traveling with pets. With up to 162.5 cubic feet of space, you can fit your pets, your luggage, their luggage, any of your pet’s crates or bedding, and so forth. You won’t have to leave anything you need at home. Pets will also love how the climate control keeps them comfortable.

• Toyota Rav4

  The Toyota RAV4 is one of Toyota’s most popular vehicles. It’s an efficient vehicle with plenty of space. One of the reasons it’s so widely beloved is its range of great features. This includes those that make it a great choice for pet owners. Travelers will love the available hands-free power liftgate. Unloading your RAV4 will be a breeze—yes, even with your pets running around.

  Your pets will have plenty of space and comfort thanks to features like fold-out rear seats and an available cargo net system. These extras will also help keep your pets safe. Safe and comfortable with plenty of room? Sounds like the perfect conditions for travel.

  Another great feature of the RAV4 is the available dual-zone climate control. This makes sure both you and your pets don’t overheat or get too cold. Any sort of extreme temperature conditions could cause harm for man’s best friend.

• Toyota Venza

  The Toyota Venza has been named the best car for dogs by numerous publications over the years. It’s a great vehicle for traveling with pets of any size.

  When you go with the Venza, you can be sure that your pets will be comfortable for the whole drive. The interior is incredibly comfy, with well-cushioned seats. Long drives will be a pleasure for you and your four-legged passengers and you can count on the cargo room as well.

  Another reason the Venza is so great for travel? It has great fuel economy. If you’re looking for a hybrid SUV that both you and your pets will love, the Toyota Venza is a great pick. When you choose the Toyota Venza and the pet barrier to travel with your pets, we’re sure you’ll see that they live up to their reputation.

• Toyota Corolla

  If you want a vehicle that gives your pets plenty of room while traveling but isn’t as large as an SVU, consider the Toyota Corolla. It may not have as much room as larger cars, but it still has about 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space. You’ll be able to make even more space thanks to the folding-down rear seats.

  Pet owners love the option of the hatchback door. This makes loading and unloading luggage and getting your pets in and out of the vehicle simple and fast. Travelers will also appreciate the impressive gas mileage.

Visit your local Toyota dealer today to see all their pet-friendly products or bring your pooch for a walk at their dealership!