Travelling by Car with Your Dog: Safety and Comfort Tips

The safest way to travel by car with your dog is to secure them, either with a well-fitted harness and a seatbelt clip attached to the harness, never the collar, or in a secured crate. Plan a break about every two hours, bring water, keep the car cool and never leave your dog alone in a parked car.

Why should your dog be secured in the car?

A loose dog can distract the driver, slip into the footwell or be thrown forward if you brake hard, which puts your dog and everyone else in the car at risk. In several EU countries, an unsecured dog can also lead to a fine, so check the rules wherever you are driving.

• Keep your dog on the back seat or in the boot area, never loose in the front.
• Avoid the front passenger seat, where an airbag can seriously injure a dog.
• Do not let your dog ride with its head out of the window: dust, insects and debris can hurt the eyes and ears.

Harness and seatbelt clip or crate: which should you use?

Both can work well. The right choice depends on your dog, your car and the length of the trip.

• Harness with seatbelt clip: suits the back seat. Your dog wears a well-fitted harness, and a short seatbelt strap connects the back of the harness to the car's seatbelt buckle.
• Crate or travel box: often used in the boot of estate cars and SUVs. Choose a size in which your dog can stand, turn and lie down, and fix the crate so it cannot slide.
• Dog guard: a boot divider keeps your dog out of the cabin, but on its own it does not stop your dog being thrown around inside the boot.

Why should you never clip a seatbelt to a collar?

If you stop suddenly, the force of the forward movement would go straight through your dog's neck. Always clip a car restraint to the back ring of a properly fitted harness, which spreads the load across the chest and shoulders.

Our SafeRide dog seatbelt has a reflective strap, an elastic bungee section and a swivel clip. Clip it to a harness, never to a collar, and keep it short enough that your dog can sit and lie down comfortably but cannot reach the front seats or slide off the seat. You will find more travel and walking gear in Walk & adventure.

How often should you stop on a long drive?

Plan a break about every two hours, or more often for puppies, older dogs and restless travellers.

• Let your dog stretch, sniff and go to the toilet on a lead, well away from traffic.
• Offer water at every stop; a foldable bowl like the RoamBowl packs flat into the door pocket.
• Feed a light meal a few hours before you leave rather than just before driving.
• Clip the lead on before you open the door, so your dog cannot jump out into traffic.

How do you keep your dog cool and comfortable in the car?

• Use the air conditioning or ventilation, and fit sun shades on the rear windows.
• Bring a familiar blanket or bed so the car smells like home.
• Drive smoothly and keep the music at a moderate volume.
• Never leave your dog alone in a parked car, not even for a few minutes. Cars heat up quickly, even on mild days.

What if your dog gets carsick or anxious?

Some dogs drool, yawn, whine or vomit in the car, especially puppies and dogs that rarely travel. Things that may help include:

• Short, positive practice trips that end somewhere fun, like a favourite walk.
• A secure spot where your dog can face forward, with fresh air flowing through the car.
• No big meal just before the trip.

If your dog regularly gets sick or stressed in the car, ask your vet. They can check for underlying causes and advise on options that suit your dog.

Frequently asked questions

Is it allowed to have a dog loose in the car?

Rules differ per country. In several EU countries an unsecured dog can lead to a fine, so it is wise to always secure your dog with a harness and seatbelt clip or a secured crate.

Can my dog sit in the front seat?

It is safer to keep your dog on the back seat or in a secured crate in the boot. Front airbags can seriously injure a dog.

How long can a dog travel in a car?

With a break about every two hours, enough water and a comfortable temperature, many dogs cope well with longer trips. Build up gradually if your dog is new to car travel.

Should I give my dog something for car sickness?

Only what your vet recommends. Never give human medicine to your dog without asking your vet first.