The one thing you should NEVER let your dog do when they’re riding in the car
DRIVERS could be putting their dogs at risking by letting them jump out of the boot of their car.
Repeatedly leaping from a tall SUV can put heavy strain on your pet's legs - and it could be doing them long-term damage.
According to a study published by Vet Record, dogs are more likely to develop the degenerative joint disease osteoarthritis if they are constantly jumping out of your large motor.
The study tested the amount of stress placed on 15 different dogs when jumping from heights of 55cm-75cm.
It found that the maximum height put as much as 25 per cent more force through your pup's legs than their lowest platform, meaning the bigger your car, the more chance your dog has of damaging their legs.
And the risk of injury to your pet is even greater if they have been sitting down during a long drive.
Leaping from a height while their muscles are cold could see your pet do soft tissue damage - and leave you with a hefty vet bill.
The study recommended dog owners get a ramp to allow their pup walk out of the car.
Dr Alison Wills, a co-author of the study from Hartpury University Centre, said: "Some people have very large vehicles and you often see them letting their dogs jump out of the boot.
"Dogs develop degenerative joint disease for a multitude of reasons over a lifetime, but there is a concern that dogs jumping repeatedly from car boots may be at increased risk of developing this type of condition.
"We would suggest that people consider using ramps stretching from their car to the ground for all dogs, instead of just for those with existing joint problems."
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British motorists also risk hefty fines if they fail to properly restrain their pets while driving.
It's illegal to let any pets roam loose around your car, and those that aren't restrained could see their owner fined £2,500.
And if your pet causes you to have an accident, it could even invalidate your insurance.