Tips For Trucking Safely With Pets


In the window of a professional semi truck a handsome venerable martial spotted Cocker Spaniel dog peeks out

Trucking across America is difficult enough on your own. Experts like Kreeger Law, a Sacramento lawyer for truck accidents, and even the US Bureau of Labor Statistics will note that it’s one of the most dangerous jobs in America. Staying safe on the road becomes even more of a challenge with a pet in tow, so here are some tips that can help you truck safely while venturing out with your favorite four-legged friend.

Can You Even Have Your Pet On The Road?

First things first — you’ll need to make sure your employer is amenable to you having a pet with you while you’re driving. Different trucking companies have different policies, and you’ll have to make sure you understand yours before you head out with a pet. What you’ll find, generally speaking, is that you’ll more commonly come across restrictions on dogs, cats and other small animals are good to go. If you get to take a dog, make sure it’s a tiny one that you can handle easily.

Temper Your Expectations

So you can take an animal on the road with you? That’s encouraging, but don’t get too ahead of yourself. You’ll have to keep your plans within the realm of reason for this to work, so instead of going all out with a full menagerie, ease into things with a manageable-sized animal like a cat that won’t take too much extra work on your part.

Prepare To Alter Your Routine

Whether you decide to take along a cat, a dog, or some other type of domesticated pet altogether, you’re going to have to change your routine a bit to accommodate. The basics won’t change, of course. You’ll still be driving long distances with cargo in tow, but now you might have to stop a bit more frequently, or pick up a few more supplies you wouldn’t have needed before. Be prepared to make a few sacrifices for your new buddy.

Take Time To Pet-Proof Your Truck

It goes without saying, but pets aren’t people, which means you can’t expect them to behave as such within your truck. Instead of leaving things up to chance, though, you’ll be doing yourself (and your furry friend) a favor by pet-proofing your vehicle. This means creating their own space within your truck that’s segregated from important instruments like your gas and brake pedals. It’s also worth it to keep trash (and any other enticing but off limits items) away from your pet so that they can’t get chewed on or destroyed.