Pet Safety Accessories Pet safety products to aid in keeping your pet safe while on the go.  Pet accessories include first aid kits, safety harnesses, booster seats, lighted collars, collar blinker lights, dog life jackets and more.

  Traveling with Your Pet During the Holidays It is hard to believe that it is already the holiday season.   Many of us with pets wouldn't think of spending the holidays without them. If your Furry Traveler is like mine, you are probably planning a road trip. The following tips and information will help your trip be a successful one. Careful planning can make your trip go more smoothly, whatever your mode of transportation.   If you are not staying with family or friends, more and more hotels now allow pets. Be sure to make your reservations well in advance as they can fill up quickly. HOTELS: 5-Star hotels such as Trump Hotels, Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton often include extra luxuries for your dog, including special bedding and spa treatments.   If 5-Stars don't fit in your budget, you will still want a nice, clean room. There are many hotel chains to choose from, most offer Rewards Memberships so you can accumulate points and get a free night once in a while. My personal favorite is LaQuinta, www.LQ.com. Many are brand new hotels or newly remodeled with large rooms and all have free internet and even breakfast! There are no extra pet fees (unless there are damages, of course). Their website allows you to check for hotels along your driving route, which helps you decide what city to stop in if your trip takes you longer than one day to reach your final destination. Many of the Intercontinental Hotels (www.ihg.com) also allow pets but you may have to pay a pet fee.  WEATHER: Here is something to think about if you are changing climates. On a recent trip up north, we found it pretty chilly and my Florida dog ended up needing to wear a coat – good thing I was there selling dog products! If your dog has sensitive paws and is not used to the cold, boots might be appreciated. Just because they have fur coats, doesn't mean they will always be warm enough. TRAVELING BY CAR:   Buckling up is an important safety precaution for pets. Many states and provinces now require that pets be restrained while in a moving vehicle and restraints have several advantages. They help protect pets in case of a collision and they keep pets from running loose and distracting the driver. They also keep pets from escaping the car through an open window or door.   Cats and smaller dogs are often most comfortable in pet carriers and crates. Carriers give many animals a sense of security and familiar surroundings and can be secured to the car seat with a seat belt or a specially designed carrier restraint (like a child's seat).   There are also pet restraints available that can be used without carriers, including harnesses, seat belt attachments, specially designed pet car seats, as well as vehicle barriers, and restraint systems.   Absolutely do not leave your pet in the car unattended. Even with windows cracked, and even on a seemingly nice day, temperatures in a car can quickly escalate and kill your pet. If you will have to leave the pet, the pet shouldn't have come along for that trip.   Keep your pet hydrated. On a trip, it's tempting to skimp on the food and water to avoid pit stops. While you do want to cut back a little, just for your pet's comfort while on the go, be sure your pet gets enough to drink and eat. The To Go Bowl allows your pet to drink while traveling and the removable cup can store dog treats for your rest breaks. If you are driving with a pet, plan for plenty of stops to walk you pet, and give the pet food and water.   Your dog should always wear a collar with an ID tag that includes your cell phone number so you can easily be contacted if needed.  Allowing your pet to have his own travel bag will help you keep things organized. Some things to remember in the bag are an extra leash, medications, Hairbrush, food, bowls.   There are so many other great travel products available now than there were just a few years ago. You will be amazed how much easier traveling is when you use some of them. Websites such as www.FurryTravelers.com specialize in pet travel products and are a great one-stop shopping place for your pet travel supplies.   Pet Travel Statistics from Bark Buckle UP:   In an accident, an unrestrained animal is dangerous to the human passengers as well. Even in an accident of only 30 mph, a 15-pound child can cause an impact of more than 675 pounds. A 60-pound dog can cause an impact of 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, a windshield, or another passenger. Even if the animal survives, it can impede the progress of rescue workers for whom every moment is precious.   Unrestrained pets can also distract the driver, and cause an accident. Even pets that are normally well behaved could be frightened by something unusual and dive for the driver's feet or lap. Following a car accident, an unrestrained pet could escape and be hit by another vehicle or cause another collision. A frightened dog may attack strangers who are trying to help.   Bark Buckle UP utilized the Travel Safety Evaluation Booklet used by police agencies nationwide and concluded that 98% of pets do not travel properly restrained, which means that only 2% of pets travel safe in vehicles. Bark Buckle UP, the pet safety national awareness program, works with Police and Fire Chiefs nationwide to communicate to the public the necessities of, "Why Buckle" for your pets safety, passengers, driver and our first responders.   Be one of the 2% that buckles up your pet!  

Pet Travel Products Unique and fun pet travel and pet safety products recommended by Furry Travelers, Inc.  Furry Travelers is your one stop pet travel store!

Pet toys always make the best gifts for pet parents. If you're considering getting another pet parent a toy this holiday season, we've got a great variety to choose from!  Click here and see all of our fun pet toys! http://www.furrytravelers.com/11m7/toys.html?m7:nested=0 

Dog Safety Harnesses Keep your dog safely in place while on the road with one of these safety harnesses. Safety harnesses for your dog can save its life.  Furry Travelers sells all types of safety harnesses to make riding with your dog safe and fun.

We are all in the habit of using our seatbelt whenever we drive.  Most pet owners, however, do not think about using a safety harness for their pet.  It is time we do! According to the American Automobile Association, unrestrained pets cause more than 30,000 accidents annually.  That's thousands of fatalities and injuries that could have been avoided with the use of a simple pet restraint, harness or crate.   Bark Buckle-UP founder, Christina Selter, warns that an unrestrained dog can be dangerous to everyone in the vehicle.  "In a 30 MPH accident, a 60-pound dog can cause an impact of more than 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, windshield or other passenger."   And let's face it, any one of us would be heart-broken if our dog was injured, or worse, killed in an accident because we were too rushed or lazy to buckle them into a safety harness.  (Hint - leave the seat belt attachment in the car at all times so it is easy to snap onto your dog's harness.  It will be one less thing to remember as you leave home, too!)   So...let's make a New Year's Resolution to buckle up our pet every time we go for a drive - no matter how short the distance.  To make things easy, I am going to review a few of the travel harnesses we carry on our website:      1) Kurgo Tru-Fit Safety Harness:  This is probably the easiest harness to put on your dog that I am aware of.  Once adjusted for size, you simply slip it over your dog's head and then buckle the strap around its chest.  That's it!  It comes with a loop that you put your seat belt through and attach to the harness to keep your Furry Traveler in place while you drive.  It is made of high-quality automotive seat belt materials and has a broad padded chest plate for extra protection and comfort.  Good for dogs over 10 pounds.  Price:  $22.99 - $28.99.   2)  The PetBuckle Seat Belt Harness provides protection in a standard vehicle by using the vehicle's seat belt, LATCH bar system or cargo area to securely restrain a harnessed dog. Just slip the seat belt through the web loop on the harness and buckle up. For dogs over 15 pounds.  Crash tested for safety.  Price:  $49.99.     3)  For the more fashion conscious, we offer a variety of comfortably padded safety harnesses in a variety of colors and patterns.  Many of these styles snap right into your own car's seat belt buckle - very easy to use.    Whatever your choice may be, just remember that having your dog restrained is one less distraction for you and so much safer for your Furry Traveler!    To view all our safety harnesses, visit www.FurryTravelers.com.   Happy New Year from your friends at Furry Travelers!

January 2nd is National Pet Travel Safety Day, founded by Pet Lifestyle Expert, Animal Advocate and former Paramedic, Colleen Paige to highlight the dangers of unsecured pets in vehicles and educate the public about how to make vehicle travel safer for people and the pets they love.  Driver distraction is the number one cause of car accidents, and an unrestrained pet can easily be a distraction which could cause an unfortunate accident. Even an abrupt stop can cause serious injury to your pet. We don't think twice when it comes to buckling up for safety for adults or children, but do we remember our furry family members?  An unrestrained pet can be seriously injured in the event of even a minor accident. A 60-pound unrestrained dog becomes a 2,700 pound projectile at just 35 mph. An unrestrained pet can also cause a driving distraction that poses a danger to the driver, passengers, and other drivers on the road, as well as to bystanders.   There are many different types and styles of safety harnesses for dogs of all sizes to make it an easy step to take to keep everyone safe.  After a few uses, it will become habit where you don't even have to think about it. You will also find your trips to be more enjoyable, knowing everyone is safe and having fewer distractions.   In addition to safety harnesses, dog booster seats and dog crates are additional ways to keep your pet safe and secure while traveling. So make a commitment to keeping everyone safe on the road by ensuring that every traveler is buckled up, even your Furry Travelers.   Safe Travels! Nancy Cribb   

As the end of the summer nears and early fall approaches, regulation of pets on the beach are eased and beautiful early fall weather beseech you to take your furry friend outdoors to the nearest body of water to play. Here are a few tips for keeping your dog safe around water. 1)      While some dogs live to swim, others may be unable to or simply hate being in the water. Be conscious and considerate of your dog's preferences and skills. Don't try to force him or her to swim if your dog seems afraid or averse; many dogs will never feel comfortable in the water.   2)      If you're taking your dog swimming for the first time, help coax him into the water by starting off in a shallow area. Try calling his name and creating a fun environment by using dog toys and/or treats to play with.     3)      Swimming is very hard work, making it easy for your dog to overexert himself- especially dogs that are drawn to the water. Keep track of the time and evaluate your dog's level of effort to keep your dog from overdoing it.   4)      Never throw your dog into the water. Doing so may cause your dog to feel anxious or fearful of going into the water in the future. Also, since some dogs have large bodies and short legs, they are not built to swim for enjoyment and therefore may be traumatized by the act.   5)      If taking your dog swimming at the ocean, be careful of strong tides. Never let your dog swim far enough out to be swept away by the current. Use a doggy life jacket as a safety precaution.   6)      Moisture in a dog's ear can cause nasty infections if not cleaned properly after swimming. Ask your vet or local pet store for the proper supplies and a demonstration to make sure you are thoroughly ridding his or her ears of the nasty bacteria found in ocean and lake water.   7)      Never leave your dog unattended in water. If you have a pool, make sure to invest in adequate safety products, such as a baby fence or pool alarm to alert you if your dog falls in. Train your dog to know how to exit the pool by teaching him/her to locate the steps or ramp, and providing a refresher course on exiting at the beginning of each swimming session.   8)      Be careful of taking your dog swimming at night. Dogs' vision dramatically decreases after nightfall as well as with age, so swimming in the dark may be extremely scary for dogs, even those who normally love to be in the water.   9)      Just like humans, dogs are equally susceptible to getting hypothermia in cold water. Unfortunately, they may not understand that the water is what's causing them to feel cold, making it easier for an accident to occur. If the water is cold enough to prompt you to get out, it is safe to say your dog is at risk to getting cold as well and should be brought out of the water to regain warmth.   1    Never let your dog drink the pool water, which is filled with chlorine and chemicals that can make your dog sick. Salt water from the ocean and bacteria found in lakes can also be harmful. To prevent ingestion of contaminated water, keep a clean water bowl nearby for your dog to drink from. Se    

The Fourth of July can be an exciting and festive time of the year for our families and friends, but that's not always the case when it comes to our pets. The loud and unfamiliar noises that dogs hear on the 4th can commonly upset and scare them. We want to make sure that all your pups have a safe and settling 4th of July this year. Here are some useful tips when preparing your pooch for the 4th!   1. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day. 2. Keep your dog's inside during fireworks, preferably with human companionship. If it's hot, make sure that the air conditioning or fan is running! 3. Provide a safe and familiar place inside for your dogs to retreat. 4. If possible, keep the windows and curtains closed (the less they see the better). 5. Make sure all your dogs are wearing ID tags with a properly fitting collar. (Dogs have been known to become Houdini around the 4th of July.) 6. Leave your dog something fun to do – like a new toy or bone. 7. We also recommend (and sell) the ThunderShirt- a proven effective, all-natural solution to pet anxiety and fear caused by things like fireworks, thunderstorms, separation, travel and more. You can learn more or buy the ThunderShirt here: http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/3095--thundershirt.html We hope these tips help, and that everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July!  

If you're planning on making a trip to the water this summer, keep in mind NOT ALL DOGS SWIM! Yes, contrary to what you might think, it's common that many dogs don't naturally know how to swim. If your pooch falls in this category of “canine non-swimmers” then you might want to consider making sure he's appropriately prepared with The Paws Aboard Doggy Life Jacket! The Paws Aboard Doggy Life Jackets provide ultimate buoyancy and high visibility to keep pets safe on the water. Constructed to provide buoyancy, along with a cozy secure fit, the Paws Aboard Doggy Life Jackets features an advanced breathable mesh underbelly for proper draining and drying, which provides your dog more comfort and healthier conditions than traditional pet life jackets! So make sure that you grab a Paws Aboard Life Jacket and keep your pooch safe from the water! http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/4103--paws-aboard-doggie-life-jacket.html