The Dangers of Pets Riding in Cars

We all love taking our dogs along for the ride—windows down, ears flapping, tails wagging—but some of the things we do out of love can actually put our pups in serious danger.

Let’s start with small dogs riding in your lap. They’re cuddly, sweet, and it feels comforting to have them close. But having a small dog in your lap while you're driving isn’t safe for either of you. Your lap can quickly become a dangerous place in an emergency.

First of all, your dog becomes a distraction. If they suddenly shift, bark, or try to climb up toward your face, you’re not fully focused on the road. Even a quick second of taking your eyes off the traffic can lead to an accident.

And in the event of a crash, airbags are designed to protect humans, not pets. That airbag deploying could crush your tiny dog with force meant to protect an adult human. And since your dog isn’t restrained, an impact could send your dog flying through the air to the other side of the car or against the windshield with deadly force.

We’ve all seen bigger dogs with their heads hanging out the window, tongue flapping in the breeze and while it may look cute, it’s also incredibly risky. When a dog has their head out the window, they’re completely exposed to flying debris—dirt, rocks, bugs, or worse. Even a small pebble kicked up by a car ahead can cause serious injury to your dog’s eyes, nose, or face.

There’s also the risk of them falling or jumping out. You might think your dog would never do that—but dogs are unpredictable. If they see something exciting, like a squirrel or another dog, their instincts might take over.

Many years ago, I was following a car that stopped in traffic in the Hollins area of Roanoke and a beagle launched itself out the open window to run across the busy road.  I slammed to a stop and closed my eyes, afraid of what would happen with approaching vehicles.  Fortunately the approaching vehicle also stopped suddenly.  The beagle’s owner jumped out of his car, caught his dog, and waved to me as he climbed back inside.  That was very scary!

So, what’s the safe solution for dogs and road trips?

Always secure your dog properly in the car. For small dogs, use a crash-tested pet carrier or a pet car seat with a harness. For medium to large dogs, there are seatbelt harnesses that clip into the car’s buckle system or secured crates in the back area.

You can roll the window down a couple of inches so they can enjoy all the smells and some of the breeze without compromising their safety.

There are also metal barriers that can be placed between the front and back seats or between the back seat and cargo area; similar to what K-9 units have in their vehicles. Those can be a great compromise.

At the end of the day, we all want our dogs to be safe and happy. A secure, safe ride means peace of mind for you and protection for your best friend.

Need help getting your dog used to riding safely in the car? I’m happy to help. Just give me a call or send a message!

Stay safe on the roads!

***Beverly Amsler is the owner of The Well-Trained Dog & Pet Care. She has been a professional dog trainer, dog walker, and pet sitter since 2014.  Beverly is a Certified Dog Trainer through the Victoria Stilwell Academy and a Certified Professional Pet Sitter through Pet Sitters International.  She is a member of the Texas Pet Sitters Association and the Association For Professional Dog Training.  Before starting her business, Beverly spent more than 30 years as a journalist for newspapers, magazines, and radio and television stations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Indiana, and Utah. Learn more about Beverly.