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How To Keep Your Dog Safe in the Car

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How To Keep Your Dog Safe in the Car

Updated August 13, 2024 | Uncategorized
By Brooke Helton
Original article by Niki Stojnic.

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Chances are, your pup loves going to the park, the pet store, or their friends’ houses. But before reaching your destination, you may need to take them on a car ride. To keep dogs safe and secure in the car, get the proper equipment, know how to strap them in, and follow car safety best practices.

Kathryn Dench, holistic veterinarian and chief science advisor at Paw Origins, says keeping a dog physically and emotionally comfortable can make the trip better for both of you.

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Below, learn how to keep your dog safe and happy in the car. Plus, get insight on how to drive your dog to the vet in an emergency.

Table of Contents

  1. Equipment
  2. How to Choose
  3. Preparations
  4. Best Practices
  5. Emergency Trips

What Car Safety Equipment Do You Need?

We always buckle our seatbelts when in the car; dogs need similar safety measures when going on trips.

A dog roaming around freely in the car can distract the driver. A 2019 study by Volvo Car USA and The Harris Poll found that driving with an unrestrained dog more than doubles your risk of distracted driving.

So, it’s best to use a harness, crate, or carrier when transporting a pet in the car, says Lindsey A Wolko, founder of the USA-based Center for Pet Safety (CPS).

1. Car harnesses

Your car’s seatbelts are designed for human passengers, but you can adapt them for your dog with a dog car harness. These harnesses differ from regular walking harnesses since they strap buckles into the seatbelt and restrain your dog. Think of these harnesses as a dog seatbelt.

Your dog can sit up, lie down, and move around a little in these harnesses. Also, a travel harness may be thicker and more padded than a regular harness for extra security and comfort.

Not every dog harness goes through crash testing from the manufacturer. So, Wolko recommends looking for a brand and model certified for crash safety, such as the SleepyPod Clickit Sport or Terrain harnesses, which have been tested to EU child safety standards.

2. Travel crates

You can also transport a dog in a travel crate or carrier. But just like harnesses, they should be specially designed for car travel to ensure safety. European crash-tested car dog crates available in the UK include the Thule Allax range, the 4Pets Pro, and the VarioCage built by MIMsafe UK.

Remember, bigger is not always better when picking car travel crates. Wolko says if the crate is too large, it can increase the risk of injury. She recommends measuring your dog from nose to tail and adding 15 cm (six inches) to find the right carrier size.

Additionally, CPS suggests putting a carrier on the floor instead of buckling it into the back seat (unless the carrier manufacturer provides a crash video of the crate buckled into the seat).

3. Car seats

Some dogs may feel more comfortable travelling in a booster seat. This special car seat allows smaller dogs to look out the window while keeping them snugly secured—like a middle ground between a carrier and a harness.

If you’re using a booster seat, Wolko recommends strapping your dog into an approved travel harness instead of using the booster seat’s built-in straps. She also recommends looking for a booster seat that connects to the car’s LATCH/ISOFIX anchors (the ones you use for a child’s car seat.)

Which One is Right For My Dog?

Alex Crow, a licensed veterinarian and owner of PetHealthGuru.com, says crates are best suited for dogs weighing 9 kg (20 pounds) or less; meanwhile, harnesses are typically a better fit for dogs weighing more than 9 kg (20 pounds). But other factors can influence your decision too.

For example, Dr Crow adds that anxious dogs or dogs who easily get motion sick may prefer the added security of a crate, even if they’re bigger.

How Do You Prepare Your Dog for Car Travel?

Dogs may need time to acclimatise to their new car safety device, especially if the restraints are new.

“Start with short rides and gradually increase the duration to help reduce anxiety,” Dr Dench says. Reward them with lots of pets and tasty treats for a job well done!

Dog sitting safely in the backseat of a car

iStock/LindaE

What Are the 5 Best Practices for Dog Car Safety?

After getting your dog used to their new safety device, follow these tips to set up your doggie road trips for success.

1. Keep them in the backseat

While it might seem fun to have your buddy riding up front, the back of the car is the safest spot for dogs. So, always secure them in the back seat or floor, depending on whether you choose a harness, crate, car seat, or combination.

Generally, dogs shouldn’t ride in the back of a pickup truck. But if that’s your only option, you can tie down a hard-sided travel carrier to the bed.

2. Don’t leave your dog alone

While leaving your dog in the car for a few minutes on a balmy day may seem OK, your car can heat up faster than you think. The RSPCA says the inside of a car can heat up to 47 degrees within an hour when it’s just 22 degrees Celsius outside. Dogs can die quickly in hot cars.

So, if you need to leave the car for a few minutes, err on the safe side and take your pup with you.

3. Stop for breaks

On longer road trips, your dog will also want a chance to stretch their legs and go to the toilet. So, when you hit a rest stop, give your dog a potty break, snacks, water, a quick walk, or anything else they might need.

Dr Crow recommends stopping for breaks every few hours.

4. Bring safe entertainment

While it might look cute, don’t let your dog stick their head out the window. They can get road debris in their eyes, among other dangers.

Instead, keep your dog occupied by bringing along a toy, like a puzzle or lick toy. Dr Crow says these toys and games help reduce your dog’s travel anxiety or stress.

5. Stick to snacks

“To prevent motion sickness, avoid feeding your dog a large meal right before travelling,” Dr Dench says. Instead, she says to stick to smaller snacks given over longer periods.

What To Do If An Emergency Happens

Of course, you may not always have time to prepare for a car ride, especially if your dog needs emergency treatment for an illness or injury.

When transporting a pet in an emergency situation, they may be scared or in pain, so it’s important to keep them and yourself safe, says Katie Osekavage, veterinarian and medical director at Veterinary Emergency Group, Greenville, USA.

Use the following tips to transport your pet when time is of the essence safely.

1. Use a board for larger dogs

If your dog is too big to lift or can’t get inside their carrier without injuring themselves, you can gently tie them to a broad, flat surface, like an ironing board or piece of plywood, as a makeshift stretcher.

“Only put your pet in a crate if you can do so safely and if you can move the crate without risking injury to yourself or your pet,” Dr Osekavage says.

2. Handle with care

Try to move your dog as gently as possible, as rough handling can worsen some injuries. Dr Osekavage says to avoid getting up close and personal with a dog in pain since they may try to bite.

3. Minimise head movements

Keep your dog’s head aligned with their body—it shouldn’t flex at an unnatural angle up or down. If your dog might vomit, keep their head below their heart so they won’t choke.

4. Recruit a friend

If you have someone nearby, ask them to drive while you sit with your dog in the back. This way, your dog can feel safer with you close by, and you won’t need to drive when your emotions are riding high.

If no one is around to drive, stay calm and drive safely. After all, you don’t want to lose precious time pulling over for a ticket—or end up with injuries. “Maintaining a calm and focused mindset is key to handling the situation effectively,” Dr Osekavage adds.

5. Call ahead

“You can always call ahead to the emergency hospital [for] advice on how to move your pet safely,” Dr Osekavage says. Calling ahead can also give your vet a heads-up of what to expect so they can help your dog faster.

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Brooke Helton

Brooke Helton

Brooke Helton is a freelance writer covering pets, health & wellness, lifestyle, and more. Beyond the Rover blog, you can find her work in media outlets like Insider and Forbes. When she’s not happily blogging about pets, you can find Brooke lurking on LinkedIn or spoiling her little sister — a 14-year-old ginger kitty.


Original article by Niki Stojnic.

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By Brooke Helton

Original article by Niki Stojnic.

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