Most dogs love the car. The car is less keen on them: fur in every seam, muddy paws on the doors, a wet nose on your shoulder at every red light. And a dog that moves around the cabin isn't just messy. It pulls your attention off the road.
This guide covers what makes car rides with a dog safer, calmer and cleaner, from the first short drive to a full road trip. Most of it costs nothing. The rest is a few pieces of gear that pay for themselves the first time it rains.
In this guide
- Get your dog used to the car
- Where should your dog ride?
- How to restrain your dog in the car
- How to keep your car clean
- Water, food and breaks on longer drives
- Never leave your dog in a parked car
- Carsick or nervous dogs
- Road trip packing list
- After the drive: a 5-minute cleanup
- Frequently asked questions
1. Get your dog used to the car
If the car only ever means a trip to the vet, your dog will learn to dread it. Change that before your first long drive:
- Let your dog sniff around the parked car with the engine off. Reward calm behavior with a treat.
- Next, sit in the car together with the engine running for a minute or two, then get out.
- Take short drives that end somewhere fun: the park, a trail, a friend's yard.
- Build up slowly. Ten minutes, then twenty, then a longer trip.
Use the same spot and the same setup every time. Dogs settle faster when the car feels familiar.
2. Where should your dog ride?
In the back seat. If you remember one rule from this guide, make it this one.
- Not in the front seat. Front airbags open with enough force to seriously injure a dog, even in a minor collision. A dog next to you also makes it harder to focus on the road.
- Not on your lap. It blocks the steering wheel and your view, and an airbag would push your dog straight into you.
- Not with its head out of the window. Dust, insects and small stones can hurt your dog's eyes and ears at speed, and a startled dog can try to jump.
- Not loose in a pickup bed. An unsecured dog can be thrown out in a sudden stop or turn.
Small dogs can also travel in a secured crate or carrier on the back seat or in the cargo area of an SUV.
3. How to restrain your dog in the car
A restraint keeps your dog in one place: no climbing into the front, no bolting out when you open the door. There are three common options:
- Harness and seat belt tether. A short strap connects your dog's harness to the seatbelt buckle or the headrest. Easy to use every day, and your dog can still sit, stand or lie down.
- Crate or carrier. Good for small dogs and for dogs that relax better in their own space. Strap it down so it can't slide.
- Cargo barrier. Keeps a dog in the back of an SUV, but doesn't stop it moving around inside that space.
Whichever you choose, follow three rules:
- Attach a tether to a harness, never a collar. A sudden stop puts all the force on your dog's neck.
- Keep the tether short. Your dog should be able to sit and lie down comfortably, but not reach the front seats or the footwell.
- Check the fit before every trip. You should be able to slide two fingers under the harness straps.
Our Dog Car Seat Belt clips into the seatbelt buckle or loops around the headrest, adjusts from 28" to 35" (72 to 84 cm), and has a reflective strap for getting out of the car in the dark. It keeps your dog in the back seat and out of your lap. If you need a crash-tested restraint, look for a harness or crate certified by an independent tester such as the Center for Pet Safety.
4. How to keep your car clean
Fur, mud, drool and claw marks end up in three places: the seat, the inside of the doors and the floor. Protect each one and cleanup takes minutes instead of an afternoon.
Cover the seat
A waterproof seat cover catches fur and mud before they reach the upholstery. Look for three things: a waterproof layer, a nonslip backing so the cover doesn't slide when your dog moves, and a cover you can put in the washing machine. Our Waterproof Dog Front Seat Cover has all three, measures 42" × 20" (106 × 50 cm) and fits most cars, SUVs and trucks.
Protect the doors
Excited dogs jump up at the window and scratch the door panel, the armrest and the window controls. Door protectors take those scratches instead. Our Dog Car Door Protectors come as a pair, one for each rear door, and attach in seconds.
Keep a towel by the door
After a rainy walk or a swim, dry your dog's paws and belly before they get in. It's the cheapest way to keep mud out of the car.
Brush before you drive
A quick brush outside the car means less loose fur on the seats. During shedding season it makes a visible difference.
5. Water, food and breaks on longer drives
- Stop every couple of hours. Give your dog a few minutes to stretch, sniff and go to the bathroom. Clip the leash on before you open the door.
- Offer water at every stop. Dogs get thirsty in the car, especially on warm days and with the air conditioning on.
- Keep meals light. Feed a small meal a few hours before you leave, not right before. A full stomach and a winding road don't mix.
- Bring your own bowl. Rest stops rarely have one.
A travel bottle makes stops quicker. Our 2-in-1 Dog Water & Food Travel Bottle holds water and treats in one leak-proof bottle with a built-in bowl, and the water your dog leaves flows back in. For a bigger drink, the Collapsible Flower Travel Bowl folds flat and clips to your bag.
6. Never leave your dog in a parked car
Not for five minutes, and not with the windows cracked. On a warm day the inside of a parked car heats up within minutes, and an open window barely helps. Dogs cool themselves mainly by panting, which doesn't work well in hot, still air.
Cold is a risk too. In winter a parked car cools down quickly once the engine is off.
Plan your stops so someone can stay with your dog, or choose places where your dog can come with you.
7. Carsick or nervous dogs
Drooling, yawning, whining and throwing up are common signs, especially in young dogs. What helps:
- Let your dog face forward and keep the car cool and well ventilated.
- Skip the big meal right before the drive.
- Keep early trips short and end them somewhere your dog enjoys.
- Bring a familiar blanket or toy.
- If it doesn't get better, ask your vet. There are medications and calming options that can help.
8. Road trip packing list
- Harness, leash and seat belt tether
- Collar with an ID tag and your phone number, and up-to-date microchip details
- Water and a travel bottle or bowl
- Food, treats and any medication
- Waste bags
- Seat cover and an old towel
- A familiar blanket or toy
- Vaccination records if you're staying somewhere new
- Your vet's phone number and the address of an emergency vet near your destination
9. After the drive: a 5-minute cleanup
- Take the seat cover out and shake off loose fur and dirt outside.
- Wipe it with a damp cloth, or wash it on a gentle cycle if it's muddy.
- Run a pet hair brush over the seats, headrests and floor mats. Our Pet Hair Remover Brush collects fur in a built-in bin that you empty with one button.
- Wipe the door protectors and let everything dry before the next ride.
Frequently asked questions
Can my dog ride in the front seat?
It's better not to. Front airbags can seriously injure a dog, and a dog next to you is a distraction. The back seat, with your dog restrained, is the safer place.
Should I attach a dog seat belt to the collar?
No. Always attach it to a harness. A collar puts all the force of a sudden stop on your dog's neck.
How often should I stop on a road trip with a dog?
Plan a short break every couple of hours for water, a stretch and a bathroom stop. Puppies and older dogs may need more.
How do I get dog hair out of car seats?
Brush the seats with a pet hair brush or a damp rubber glove, working in one direction, then vacuum what's left. A seat cover keeps most of the hair off in the first place.
Is it OK to leave my dog in the car for a few minutes?
No. A parked car heats up quickly, even with the windows cracked. Take your dog with you, or leave your dog at home.
Safe, clean car rides with your dog come down to a few habits: back seat, harness, a short tether, water at every stop, and a cover between your dog and the upholstery. Start with your next short drive.
