What does your good, good dog love more than anything else in the world? A ride in the car with the window wide open, so they can stick their head out and enjoy the breeze!
What if you could take your pup on an open-air ride down the highway? The only thing feisty Fido loves more than a car ride is a ride on the back of your motorcycle!
Your pooch is your best friend, however, so we’re sure you have safety concerns. What if we told you that they make dog motorcycle helmets?
Nothing is cuter than a pair of tiny dog goggles and a safety suit for a pup! Not sure what to buy to get your best friend ready for the road? Read on to learn what to consider when shopping for doggie safety equipment!
Is Biking With a Dog Right For Me?
As a human, you know that getting on a motorcycle involves risk. Each time you mount your bike, you’re taking your life in your hands. Because you’re capable of reason, you can decide whether the risk is worth the reward.
Dogs, on the other hand, don’t have the capacity to understand that risk. They can’t opt to stay home and sit this one out. Your pup can’t put on a leather jacket or take classes on how to fall.
When you choose to bring your dog on the road, you must weigh the risk for both of you. Riding a motorcycle will never be 100% safe, so riding with a dog will always come with danger. If you decide the risk is worth it, it’s up to you to do all you can to protect your pet.
Consider how confident you are as a driver. If you wouldn’t feel comfortable bringing a human passenger along, you probably aren’t ready to ride with a dog.
Taking every precaution possible comes with some expense. It’s worthwhile to use the best and highest-quality safety equipment available. The alternative is living with guilt if something goes wrong on the road.
What Type of Carrier Should I Buy?
The safety products that you need will depend on the size of your dog. For smaller dogs, you can buy a motorcycle dog carrier. There are plenty of options on the market that make keeping smaller pets safe simple and straightforward.
The larger your dog, the more challenging and expensive it can be to keep them safe. You will need a larger carrier that can accommodate your hefty pet.
You can choose between a sitting carrier and a standing carrier. Sitting is marginally safer than standing because your dog is less likely to fall or get knocked around. Ideally, it should allow your dog the option to lay down, which is the most stable and comfortable position.
You also want to keep the weather conditions in mind when choosing a carrier for your pet. Know the climate where you intend to ride. It will help you determine whether or not a covered or open-air design is most appropriate.
What Other Protective Equipment Do I Need?
A carrier is just the first step. To ensure that your dog is safe on the road, you need a suite of riding equipment to protect them from hazards. Consider making the following purchases before hitting the pavement.
A Harness
Securing your dog to the carrier is a great way to reduce risk. Dogs who aren’t secure can get distracted by stimuli like animals, smells, cars, or people. In the event of an accident, dogs often jump in the wrong direction, sometimes right into traffic.
Ideally, secure your dog at the rear and the torso. If you have to brake hard, your dog’s backside won’t flip forward or outward. It prevents spinal cord injuries that could be deadly or disabling.
Goggles
Dogs have sensitive eyes, and taking your dog on your bike involves a high risk of developing eye infections. They are also prone to abrasions due to flying debris. Both can be painful and expensive.
A pair of motorcycle goggles for dogs can effectively eliminate this risk.
Ear Protection
Dogs can protect their own ears from the hazards of the road, but many motorcyclists would rather be safe than sorry. A pair of ear covers can prevent hearing loss and infection.
The combination of goggles and ear protectors form the “helmets” you sometimes see in photos of dogs on the road!
Cooling Vests
When riding in hot weather, you need to do what you can to keep your dog from becoming overheated. A cooling vest is a great way to ensure that your buddy stays nice and cool. Make sure to stop for plenty of water breaks, too.
A First Aid Kit
Accidents happen. Keeping a first aid kit on your bike is a good idea whether or not you have a dog with you. Make sure you stock yours with pet-friendly supplies, just in case.
Motorcycle Insurance
Insuring your motorcycle is another way to give yourself peace of mind on the road. You can find cheap motorcycle insurance that can cover you in case of an accident. We hope that nothing will happen, but if something does, you’ll be grateful you made this investment!
Dog Motorcycle Helmets Are Changing the Game
Mounting a bike with your dog on board is not for everyone, but the correct safety equipment makes it much easier for bikers to weigh the pros and cons. Dog motorcycle helmets provide the peace of mind you need to take your furry best friend for the ride of their life. Keep the above safety concerns in mind so that you and Spot can look forward to a lifetime of adventures!
Are you still looking for that perfect destination? Check out the rest of the blog for more posts about travel, pets, adventure, and more!