Travelling by Car With Your Dog: What the Safety Guidance Actually Says

Short answer

The safest place for a dog is in a crate anchored to the car with a seat belt or another secure fix, on the back seat. A harness-and-seat-belt set-up keeps a dog from roaming and distracting you, but Humane World for Animals says restraints like these "haven't been reliably shown to protect dogs during a crash." So the honest ranking is crate first, restraint second, loose dog never.

The loose dog problem

Most of us have seen it, or done it: a dog on the passenger seat, head over the gear stick, perfectly happy. It looks harmless. But a loose dog can end up in the driver's footwell, and a startled dog can bolt the second a door opens at a petrol stop. A crate solves both. It also keeps your dog from being hurt by a deploying airbag, which is why the guidance is to keep pets in the back seat, even when they are crated.

Choosing between a crate and a harness

A crate works best if your dog is already comfortable in one. Anchor it so it cannot slide or tip, and give your dog enough room to stand and turn.

A harness-and-belt restraint suits dogs who dislike crates or cars too small for one. Use it to keep your dog in place and out of your way, and be realistic about what it promises. It manages behaviour well; crash protection is less proven.

Whichever you pick, let your dog meet it at home first. A strange crate dropped in the car on the morning of a long trip is a recipe for a miserable drive.

Windows, trucks and rest stops

• Keep heads inside. Debris can hurt a dog's eyes, and cold air forced into the lungs can make a dog ill.
• Never carry a dog in the open back of a pickup truck.
• Stop often so your dog can stretch and go to the toilet. Clip the lead on while the car door is still closed, and make sure the collar or harness cannot be wriggled out of.
• Check that the ID tag has your current phone number.
• If you can, bring a second adult: one stays with the dog while the other grabs coffee.

Never leave a dog in the car

Humane World notes that when it is 72°F (22°C) outside, the inside of a car can reach 116°F (47°C) within an hour. On an 85°F day with the windows cracked, it can reach 102°F in ten minutes. A quick shop stop is not quick enough. In winter the answer is the same for different reasons: cars cool fast too.

Before you set off

1. Decide on the crate or restraint and test it at home.
2. Pack water, a bowl, waste bags and a leash you trust.
3. Plan a stop every couple of hours.
4. Put your dog in the back, not the front.
5. Ask yourself honestly whether your dog will be happier at home with a sitter. For some dogs, staying put is the kindest trip of all.

A good car journey with a dog is mostly boring: a calm dog, a secure space, and regular breaks. Boring is the goal.