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q,
Whether it’s a quick trip to the vet, a ride to the dog park, or a long road trip…
Chances are, your pup has been a passenger plenty of times!
And you’re not the only one — over 80% of dog parents drive with their dogs.
But for some reason, you almost never see folks talking about canine car safety.
Which is probably why:
- 60% of dog parents admit driving while distracted by their dog
- 52% of folks pet their dog while driving
- 17% of people let their dog sit in their lap while driving
- 13% feed their dogs while driving
And here’s a real shocker:
84% of pet parents don’t restrain their dog in the car at all.1
I’m talking no crates, no seatbelt, not even one of those slings in the back seat.
And unfortunately, accidents do happen.
Which is why I think it’s beyond important to talk about the best car trip practices for your dog.
So you both make it home safe and sound.
Without further ado, let’s dive right in
⚠️ Doggy Car Safety 101 ⚠️
And I’ll kick things off talking about the best seat in the house
The safest spot for dogs:
I know how nice it is to have your best friend riding shotgun in the front.
But at best that can be pretty distracting...
And at worst a small wiggly dog can get in the way of your gas and brake pedals — causing serious accidents.
So if possible, staying in the back seat is safest for your dogs.
They’re less likely to distract you… and less likely to go flying into the front seat (or windshield) if you have to brake suddenly.
(If you MUST have them in the front seat, make sure they’re contained in a crate — or secured with a doggy seatbelt — so they stay in the PASSENGER seat.)
CRITICAL SAFETY ALERT: AVOID letting your dog ride in the bed of a truck entirely.
This is heartbreaking to write but over 100,000 dogs die each year riding in the bed of a truck.2
It’s WAY safer to keep them in the vehicle with you.
Now, if your dog loves car rides…
Chances are they also love sticking their head out the window.
Which brings me to my next point:
Head out the window? Not so fast.
I know so many dogs who LOVE catching the breeze with their face out the window.
And if you’re driving slowly on a quiet, clean road, maybe you can get away with it.
But on busy roads — forget about it.
Road debris can fly up at any time and cause injury (and it’s hard to notice that kind of stuff ahead of time).
Plus, if the window is open enough, dogs can jump out of the car if they’re tempted by a squirrel, roadside barbecue stand, or even a dog in a neighboring car.
So I suggest keeping your windows at least MOSTLY closed when your dog’s in the car.
If you DO want to drive with the windows partly open — that’s totally fine.
Your dog can still enjoy the wind in their face from the inside.
But make sure your windows are only open a bit — so there’s no concern about anyone escaping!
Now, once you’ve got your pup safely in the backseat, with the windows cracked but not down, the next step is to secure them.
But wait…
Do dogs really need seatbelts?
Well, yes and no.
There are a lot of ways to secure a dog in the car — from seatbelts to crates to specialty dog bets.
But no matter which you choose, one thing’s for sure:
It’s WAY safer to have them strapped in while driving (just like it is for us humans).
And for dogs, there are a few reasons why:
- A dog that isn’t safely buckled in can be tossed around the car or even thrown through a window.
- They can also get seriously injured if they go into a dashboard or seat.
- And they could be so scared after the crash that they run away if not secured.
So whether you pick a doggy seatbelt and harness, or a car-safe crate, make sure your pup is buckled in just like you are!
CRITICAL SAFETY ALERT: If you pick a seat belt-type restraint for your dog, make sure you’re also using a harness.
Clipping a seatbelt to your dog’s collar rather than a harness could seriously jolt their neck if an accident occurs, resulting in major injury.
Now, I understand a lot of folks keep their dogs close in the car because car rides aren’t easy for all dogs…
And as a loving pet parent — you don’t want your pup stressed out.
But I don’t want you driving distracted, q — this community wouldn’t be the same without you!
So we’ve also got to talk about:
Keeping dogs calm in the car
And more specifically — keeping them calm without petting them, or hand-feeding them treats while you’re driving.
A lot of dogs find crates pretty calming (they’re like their own little den)...
So switching into a crate may immediately calm your pup down.
(If not, try putting a towel or t-shirt that smells like you in the crate.)
You can also try giving them a puzzle feeder or chew in the car…
Playing calming classical music…
Or even just getting into the car and giving them treats without the car going — so they build those positive associations.
That way, when you ARE on the move, you’re less likely to be distracted by a barking pup…
And your pup’s more likely to arrive in a better mood.
q, talking about stuff like this isn’t the easiest…
But as a loving dog parent, I know you’ll agree:
It’s WAY too important to ignore.
So before you head out on a holiday trip — or even a trip to the park…
Double check that you’re setting your pup up for the safest trip possible!
Happy driving.
To your dog's health,
Katherine Heigl
P.S. I almost forgot to mention, there’s one key step that should come before ANY car trip with your dog…
Actually, this should come before any trip at all — even a walk around the block.
Make sure their ID information is up to date!
This could mean:
- Making sure your microchip company has ALL the right information
- Checking that tags have a correct phone number
- Ensuring their collar fits securely (but not too tight)
This way, if you DO get separated for any reason, this will make it easier to get reunited.
After all, as much fun as a journey can be — it’s all about getting home safely.
1. https://petprosupplyco.com/pages/car-accident-pet-statistics-america?srsltid=AfmBOopPpkoiU-fDH0lDLKzQ8UKee4OCIx8hbPac5pmA1f2TFlsG5XKa
2. https://khqa.com/news/local/100000-dogs-die-each-year-from-riding-in-truck-beds
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