From the 4th to the 10th of June, it is pet appreciation week and the perfect way to do so is by having a car that is ideal for your dog. What Car? is the UK’s largest automotive consumer brand and they have managed to find the best car for your dogs.
What Car?’s Ambition
What Car? has undertaken many thorough road tests and reviews of new and used cars. Now they have gone the extra mile for pet owners by investigating which vehicle is perfect for dogs. There are more than 8.5 million dog owners in the UK, with 99.9% stating that they view their pets as members of the family. As a result, it only seemed fitting that dogs should be considered when purchasing a vehicle.
The Decision Process
To begin with, they assessed different elements of cars that could be dog-friendly. This included: size, accessibility of the boot, interior air-flow and durability of the upholsteries.
After the initial assessments, six cars were shortlisted to receive critique from a judging panel. With assistance from Battersea Dogs and Cats home, What Car? outlined dog-friendly criteria that was then used to assess the shortlisted cars. Dog owners and their canine companions were then invited to a day of testing. The idea was to find the best car for dogs, therefore dog owners should be testing the vehicles themselves. They were able to experience the features of all contenders in person before deciding an overall winner.
And The Winner Is
The Mazda CX-5 was chosen as the best car for dogs. The judging panel and dog owners admired the car’s practical features, stylish yet solid interior and affordable pricing. Dog owners can have a vehicle that is suitable for their pets but without sacrificing its function or appearance. Furthermore, the Mazda CX-5 offers peace of mind with its excellent level of safety whilst also being comfortable.
Dogs Are Part of the Family
When a dog is part of the family, it is only natural that their owners want to include them in everything the family does. This includes road trips, weekend breaks or just short trips to the park. However, when traveling with a dog you always need to ensure that they are safe and feel secure in the car.
It is always worth taking the time to make sure that your car is a familiar and comfortable place for your dog. This is especially important for dogs that don’t like travelling. You should also ensure that there is plenty of ventilation and never leave your dog in a hot car.
When you are travelling with your car, stick to the highway code. This states that all dogs need to be suitably restrained while driving so they don’t distract you or cause injury to you or themselves if you need to stop quickly.