Leaving your pet behind for work, errands, or vacation can be tough for pet parents – a sentiment many can empathize with! Pets can feel lonely when left alone at home, so taking them along for the ride often feels like the right decision.
However, there are times when we must leave them in the vehicle, such as when dining out or shopping. Thankfully, there are numerous ways to keep a close eye on your pets even when you’re away, ensuring that you stay informed and worry-free while on the go.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through the process of setting up a dash cam to monitor your pets’ activities and ensure their safety around the clock. We’ll also share plenty of tips and tricks to keep them secure while on the road. Let’s ensure that no furry co-pilot gets left behind!
Ensuring Your Pets’ Safety with Dash Cams
A common concern among pet owners is the need to have surveillance within their vehicles, especially in areas where passengers and cargo, including our beloved pets, should be monitored.
To address this, we require a camera that focuses on the interior rather than the exterior, as is customary. Fortunately, there are already numerous systems available for vehicles used in ride-sharing services like Uber, Lyft, Taxis, and Fleets, which record videos not only of the road ahead but also of the vehicle’s interior. We recently faced a similar concern with Katy, a new van lifer seeking a solution to record her journeys while keeping an eye on her dog, Silas, when she needs to step away from the RV. Here are our recommendations.
Protecting Your Pets in the Vehicle with Dash Cams
One common concern among pet owners is the need for surveillance within vehicles, especially in the interiors where passengers and cargo, including your furry co-pilots, should be monitored.
To address this concern, a camera facing the interior is essential, rather than focusing solely on the exterior as is standard. Fortunately, there are plenty of systems available for ride-sharing vehicles like Uber, Lyft, Taxis, and Fleets that record videos not only of the scenery of the road ahead but also inside the vehicle. Recently, we encountered the same concern with Katy, a new van lifer who has been seeking a solution to record her drives while also keeping an eye on her dog, Silas, when she needs to leave the RV for a while. Here are our recommendations.
1. Opt for an IR Dash Camera
While front-facing dash cams offer some level of utility, investing in an infrared (IR) dash camera provides a comprehensive solution for capturing your pet’s amusing antics and ensuring their safety. IR dash cameras are specifically designed to be mounted facing the vehicle’s interior, allowing for monitoring of both the driver, passengers, and any cargo inside. Placing them in the rear row – the safest and least distracting option – enables the IR camera to capture all activities.
Moreover, consider the frequency with which the interior of your vehicle remains dimly lit. A standard interior-facing camera may struggle to capture details in low-light conditions. In contrast, IR cameras utilize built-in infrared LEDs and light sensors to record video in exceptionally low-light environments. While traditional dash cameras may struggle in such settings, an IR camera can deliver clear footage, albeit in black and white, even in pitch-black conditions. Learn more about the functionality of IR cameras here.
In this regard, we recommend three-channel dash cams such as the Aoedi AD362, the Aoedi AD 890 3-channel dash cam, or the Aoedi D03 with the Multiplexer Box, which can be configured into a five-channel dash cam setup.
2. Ensure Continuous Monitoring with Parking Mode
Leaving your pet in the car, even for a short time, can provoke anxiety. Personally, the mere thought of leaving my dog alone in the car while I quickly run errands sends shivers down my spine. What if he gets hungry? What if he creates a mess? What if he feels abandoned? What if something unfortunate happens to him?
Fortunately, dash cams offer a solution to alleviate such worries through Parking Mode. With this feature, you can rest assured knowing that your car and your pet are under constant surveillance, even when the engine is off, as long as the dash cam remains connected to a steady power source.
So, how does Parking Mode function? The specifics may vary depending on the camera, but typically, Parking Mode is triggered by motion or collision detection, ensuring that any activity around your vehicle – including inside – is captured. This proves invaluable when your pet becomes agitated, when someone approaches the vehicle, or when you need to step away momentarily. The footage obtained through Parking Mode not only provides an accurate record of events but can also serve as crucial evidence in the event of an accident or attempted theft.
3. Stay always in-the-know with Cloud services
Sure, having an IR dash camera with parking mode can record what’s happening inside your vehicle even when you’re away, but you won’t know about the incident until you return to the vehicle! For even more peace of mind at all times, it’s valuable to be notified immediately, in real-time. Thankfully, dash cams with Cloud connectivity offer the solution to this.
Our top recommendation is the Aoedi Cloud. Equipped with innovative connected capabilities, the Aoedi Cloud enables you to link your dash cam to your mobile app, sending you Push Notifications as soon as an incident occurs, such as an impact. Moreover, the Remote Live View lets you connect to your BlackVue dash cam from any location, allowing you to check in on your pet! You can also play recorded videos remotely and save crucial ones to the Cloud or your phone, while also being able to engage in Two-Way Communication with your pet in real-time! Yes, you can reassure them that you’ll be back in the vehicle with this!
To access the Cloud, all you need is a Aoedi Dash Cam and a mobile internet connection, such as the optional Aoedi D09 LTE 4G connectivity module and data SIM. For us, the best dash cam you can get that encompasses all three features we are looking for is the Aoedi D03 or the Aoedi D08 IR dash cams. These dash cams record 4K UHD via Sony STARVIS 2, with a secondary IR camera to capture your interiors in full HD. The Box is our choice if you want your setup to be more secure.
More Tips on How to Protect Your Fluffy Co-Pilots
Now that you know the features to look for in a dash cam to protect your pets, let us give you more general advice on keeping their journeys safe.
Know where to put them
Ensuring the safety of your pet passengers is just as important as that of human passengers. But where exactly should they be placed? Pets, like children, should not be transported in the car’s front seat, even with a crate or harness. For us, the back seat is the safest area for your dog because crumple zones absorb impact in both the front and rear seats.
If you drive a pickup truck, it’s advisable not to let your pet stay in the truck bed. Also, avoid letting your dog travel with their head sticking out of an open window – while we understand how much dogs love this, we do not recommend it for safety. Just as we wouldn’t allow a child to do it, it’s good practice to keep the windows up when your pets are riding with you, ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey for both you and your beloved companions.
Get the right equipment
We also recommend restraining your pets by placing them in pet carriers and crates. These should be spacious enough to allow your dog or cat to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably. Ideally, position them as close to the car’s center as possible. If they are placed on the back passenger seat, they should be secured using the car’s seat belt or another restraint device. If in the cargo area, the crate should be fastened down or otherwise secured. Crates are the best option for larger dogs, while smaller dogs and cats will be safer if transported within a carrier rather than on your lap or loose in the backseat.
If your dog is well-behaved, like my Loki, putting on a harness is an excellent option. You can fit the harness around the dog’s chest, securing them in one position with the strap connecting to the seat belt.
Don’t let them get too hot
Another crucial consideration is the temperature inside your vehicle. Cars can become dangerously hot for pets, so it’s essential to keep the air conditioner running. Heatstroke can be fatal or cause permanent harm to animals in as little as 15 minutes, even if the windows are cracked open. Cars heat up rapidly, so it’s vital to exercise caution when leaving your pet in the car, even for a quick errand.
Give them breaks
Finally, it’s important to feed your pet about four hours before embarking on a long car journey. Giving them this time allows for digestion and ensures they won’t be immediately seeking their next meal. During longer trips, make sure to take breaks every few hours to allow pets to eat and relieve themselves. This ensures their comfort and well-being throughout the journey.
Protect Your Pets with a Dash Cam!
As any pet parent understands, your furry friend is more than just a pet; they are a cherished member of your family. While you care for them at home, ensuring their safety and well-being on the go requires an extra level of attention and care.
Provide them with the protection they deserve, and like a dependable dash cam, let them be your steadfast companion on all of life’s adventures!
Post time: Mar-26-2024