Whether you are taking your dog on a long car ride or just driving to the veterinarian’s office, it is important that your dog be safe and comfortable in your car.

For safety, your dog should either be restrained in a seatbelt harness or confined to his crate while you drive. Properly restraining your dog will help keep him settled and help prevent you from becoming distracted by your dog.

To help your dog become comfortable riding in your car, you should take him for short car rides on a regular basis, starting when he is a puppy. Make sure you take car rides to places your dog enjoys, such as the park or a friend’s house. If you only take your dog for a car ride when he needs to go to the veterinarian, he will begin to associate the car with negative experiences.

To help prevent your dog from suffering from car sickness, avoid feeding him for several hours before a trip. Make sure that you always monitor your dog closely for signs of distress while on a car ride.

Dog Safety in the Car

• Keeping your dog properly restrained in your car is safest for your dog, yourself and other passengers in the car.

• Many pet supply stores sell seatbelt harnesses that are specially made to keep dogs properly restrained while riding in a car.

• Make sure that the seatbelt harness you choose fits your dog and has a wide chest strap.

• Note: You should not use a seatbelt harness to restrain a young puppy in a car.

• You can train your dog to sit quietly in his crate when in your car.

• Being in a crate or travel carrier is the safest option for a young puppy when in a car.

• Your dog’s crate should be secured inside the car to ensure that the crate will not move in the car.