In honor of National Pet Travel Safety Day, check out these tips to consider when hitting the road with your furry friend – whether it's a short trip to the vet or a long road trip across the country. 

1.) Secure your dog

Having loose animals in the car isn't advised. They can distract you and can also get into things that they shouldn't. And if you were to get into an accident or stop suddenly, unrestrained animals can get injured or even killed. So it's important to invest in harnesses, crates, carriers and or seat belts to ensure they are safe and secure in the vehicle. 

2.) Don't always let your dog ride with his head outside the window

Try not to let your pooch hang out of the window of a moving vehicle, especially if the vehicle is traveling fast. Allowing your dog to stick their head out of the window when you're driving fast can be a dangerous activity. Their eyes can get exposed to dirt, rocks, dust and other debris and these materials can scratch your pup's eyes. So it's advisable, especially when driving fast, that you keep your dog inside the vehicle.

3.) A dog really shouldn't ride on your lap

In the event of a car accident, a lap dog can easily be crushed by an airbag. When car crashes occur, unrestrained smaller pups can also be thrown from the car out of windows or through windshields. Dogs sitting in the driver's lap also pose a distraction to the driver and driving distracted greatly increases accident risk. It's better to not allow your dog to sit in your lap for both your safety and their safety.

4.) Bring your dog's identification information

Make sure you bring identification for your dog with your dog's name, your name, your main phone number, and proof of rabies shots. If you plan on being at a certain destination for more than a week, you may even consider purchasing another identification tag that has the location and phone number of your vacation destination. It would also be ideal that your dog is microchipped so that in the case he gets separated from you, he can be taken to a vet where they will check for his microchip and contact you.