How To Protect Your Car’s Interior From Pet Damage

We all love our furry friends, but let’s be honest, they don’t do your upholstery any
favors. Claws wreak havoc on leather and vinyl. Wet noses and tongues muck up the windows. And have you ever
tried to get dog hair out of your carpet? Yikes.

Still, sometimes leaving your little buddy at home just isn’t an option. The good news is that
there are plenty of ways to bring pets along for the ride without sacrificing your car’s interior. Here’s our
list of pointers.

Keep Up With Grooming

It’s important to make sure your dog, cat, or whatever other fuzzball you’re
transporting isn’t going to shed or scratch excessively.

Keeping your dog’s nails properly trimmed will do wonders to protect the soft surfaces
inside the vehicle, especially if you have leather or similar seating material. Once they’re scratched or torn,
seats can cost hundreds of dollars to fix, so always schedule a nail trimming appointment before you go on a
long road trip with Fido. Alternatively, you can buy foolproof nail trimmers that are totally safe to use on
your dog, and this will save you tons of money in the long run.

Pet hair is notoriously difficult to get out of the nooks and crannies in your car—it can take
a professional detailer hours to get the job done properly. If you have a dog or cat that’s prone to shedding,
there are many products available that can safely get rid of excess undercoat fur. Most groomers offer special
de-shedding treatments as well.

Transport Pets the Right Way

If you spend a lot of time in the car with a dog or cat, it’s never a bad idea to
spend a few bucks on a dedicated car seat or seat belt harness. The benefits of these are twofold: not only does
it keep your pet secured in one spot to reduce messes, but it’s by far the safest way to transport pets in case
of an accident.

Cats can be a little trickier to keep safe and secured, so we usually recommend a
small crate or pet carrier for our feline friends. This goes for other small critters like rabbits and ferrets,
too.

Regarding larger breed dogs, the best way to keep them safe in the car is usually a large,
sturdy crate, preferably in the rear storage area of a minivan or SUV. You should also ensure that the crate
itself is firmly secured so it doesn’t go flying when you hit the brakes.

Manage Messes Before They Happen

Let’s talk about medication for a second.

Generally speaking, The more used to car rides your pet is, the better they’ll handle
it. But, many of our pets only ride in the car occasionally for vet appointments and such, so they never quite
get used to the family vehicle. This can mean a lot of nervousness, when can result in carsickness and vomiting.

If you find that your little buddy just can’t stand the car, most vets will give you
anti-anxiety or anti-nausea medication, which can do wonders to keep cats and dogs zen’d out.

Invest in Seat Covers and Floor Mats

One of the absolute best ways to keep your seats and carpet intact is to make sure
they never get a chance to get messed up in the first place.

Most major automakers offer covers and mats that are specially designed for their current
models, so you can buy them with the utmost confidence that they’ll fit like a glove. It may seem like an
unnecessarily expensive thing to spend money on, but trust us when we say they’ll pay for themselves within the
first year if your dog spends a lot of time riding with you.

Clean Your Car Regularly

The longer you let a mess stay in your car, the harder it’ll be to clean, and that
doesn’t just apply to pet hair.

Giving your car a thorough bath on a regular basis is one of the most oft-overlooked but
important aspects to responsible car ownership. We recommend vacuuming your car out a couple times a month, or
about every two weeks. Doing so will go a long way toward maintaining your vehicle’s resale value, and it’s
absolutely essential if you drive a newer ride, or if you’re leasing.

Keep an Emergency Kit

No matter how well-prepared you are, accidents will always happen, so it’s best to keep your
car stocked with some cleaning supplies. Here’s a quick list to get you started:

• Pet-safe disinfectant
• Pet-safe deodorizer
• Paper towels or shop towels
• Vehicle-grade wet wipes
• Plastic waste bags

As long as you stay prepared, and you practice the other preventative measures on this list,
you and your best friend can ride together with out a care in the world.

Schedule Service With McCarthy Collision Centers

Now that we’ve covered the inside of the car, let’s address the outside. If you have any
scratches, dings, or dents and you want to get your car looking like brand new, set up an appointment for a free estimate with us at one
of our four locations across
Kansas City.