Everyone loves their pets and for some, the thought of leaving them behind while you’re trotting across the country is difficult. Fortunately for animal lovers everywhere, car rental companies are becoming more open to the idea of traveling with pets in their cars. If it’s your first time traveling with your furry friend, there are some things you should know in advance and that’s what we’re here to discuss today.
Here are some tips for renting a car with your pet.
Bath Time
One of the best ways to make sure your pet doesn’t smell up a car is to give them a bath and make sure they’re clean. Remember – this is a vehicle that’ll be used by a lot of people – so be considerate and be cognizant of your pet’s odor and do your best to keep them clean. No fleas or ticks, please!
Seat covers are your friend
There are a whole bevy of products available to help keep the fur off the seats and make sure they’re protected. Full seat covers and pet hammocks are effective and can be purchased at any local pet store. It gives them their own space and thing to sit and sleep on – without the hassle of cleaning up after them when you’re done.
Keep your pet dry
Wet hair is incredibly potent, but it’s also preventable. Be sure to thoroughly dry or clean your pet in the event they get wet or go swimming. While it’s more or less expected that your pet will leave signs that it was, in fact – in the rental car; you can get dinged with fees if the smell in the car is too much. So it’s best to avoid the wet stuff.
Don’t leave your pet unattended
This should be obvious to people, but we can’t stress it enough. To heck with the car – it’s flat out wrong to leave your pet cooped up in a car in any weather. It can lead to interior damage in the car, the danger of heatstroke, or something worse. If you do need to leave your pet in the car, make sure someone is there to sit with them.
Clean your rental before returning it
Hopefully the end of your trip means lots of happy memories and good times. But just in case you have a mishap, or even if you’ve checked all the ‘must do’s’ and the car is still a little messier than anticipated, then don’t sweat it. Just get it cleaned quickly before you drop it off. A quick vacuum can make a big difference.
Bring some toys
Pets regularly struggle with new environments and that can lead to some erratic behavior. Sometimes they’ll chew on seatbelts or other features in the car. Bring some familiarity from home for them to give a little added comfort.
Good luck on your next trip and hopefully you and your pet can create lots of great memories!
