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Five Things You Need to Do Before You Hire a Car With Your Canine Companion

by Aubree Richardson

Many hire car companies allow you to take your dog on the road with you. However, if you are travelling with your furry friend at your side, you need to ensure you are well prepared. Here's what you need to do before you hire a car with your canine companion:

1. Check the hire car's pet policy

Not all hire car companies allow pets in the car, and the hire companies that do allow dogs may have restrictions on size or breed, or they may require that the dog be housetrained. Before arriving at the hire car facility like 1300meteor rentals, make sure you have spoken with an agent to ensure your dog is welcome.

2. Schedule a vet appointment

Before you hit the road, make sure that your dog is in good health. If you have never travelled long distances with your dog before and you aren't sure how he will handle the journey, ask the vet to prescribe some motion sickness pills.

Having a few pills on hand ensures that if your dog starts vomiting in the car, you can quickly get the issues under control.

3. Invest in a carrier

If you don't already have a comfortable carrier for your dog, invest in one. Some hire car companies require you to have a carrier, but even if they don't, it is not safe to ride with an un-crated dog in the car. If you have to stop quickly, inertia will carry the dog forward, potentially through the windscreen or into you.

If your dog prefers to watch the action, you can forgot the crate, but to be safe, you should invest in a dog restraint that connects to the seat.

4. Find a car wash near the car hire return office

Most hire car companies charge cleaning fees if you return the car dirty. To ensure you can easily vacuum out dog hair and clean up any accidents, find a car wash near the office where you have to return your hire car.

When it's time to return the hire car, plan to stop at the car wash so that you can vacuum and clean the car's interior. Typically, that is cheaper than paying the hire car company to do the cleaning for you.

5. Contact your insurer

If you were in an accident with the hire car, your dog could be seriously injured and need medical attention. If that happens, you need to ensure you can afford the vet bills. Ask the hire car company if they offer insurance coverage for pet-related injuries. If they do not, call your car insurance company or investigate pet health insurance.  

 

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