Traveling with Pets
Pets are family, but an unrestrained animal in a moving car is dangerous for everyone. In a crash, a loose pet can be thrown, hurt or killed, and it can injure people in the car. On a warm day a parked car can kill a pet in minutes. A little planning keeps your pet comfortable and the trip safe.
- Families
- Pet Owners
- Drivers
Why restrain your pet
- In a crash, an unrestrained animal flies forward with force. A 10-pound dog in a 30 mph crash can hit with hundreds of pounds of force. A larger dog can seriously injure or kill passengers.
- Distraction: a pet on your lap or moving around the car takes your eyes and hands off the road. Some states have laws on animals in drivers’ laps, and distracted driving laws can apply. See Distracted Driving.
- Pets can interfere with the pedals, steering and mirrors, and can get underfoot.
- Escape risk: after a crash, a frightened pet may run from the scene and be lost or hit by traffic, and can hurt first responders.
- Airbags can kill a pet in the front seat. Keep pets in the back.
Safe ways to travel
| Option | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crash-tested crate or carrier | Cats, small dogs, and dogs that are used to crates | Secure the crate with straps or the seat belt so it can’t slide or tumble. Size it so the pet can stand and turn around |
| Crash-tested harness attached to the seat belt | Dogs that ride on the seat | Use a harness tested for crashes, not just a walking harness. Fit it snugly. Look for independent crash test results |
| Cargo area barrier or secured crate | Large dogs in SUVs and wagons | Keeps the dog in the cargo area, and a crate holds it in a crash |
| Booster seat or pet seat | Small dogs | Must be attached to a harness, and used in the back seat |
There are no federal standards for pet restraints, and products vary a lot, so look for independent crash testing, such as by the Center for Pet Safety. Keep pets in the back seat or cargo area, never in the front seat or on the driver’s lap.
- Don’t let a pet ride with its head out the window, which risks eye injuries from debris and can lead to falling or jumping out.
- Don’t let pets ride loose in a pickup bed. Many are injured or killed by falling or jumping out, and some states ban it. If you must, a secured crate fastened to the bed is safer. Never tether a dog in a truck bed. A tether can hang it.
- Don’t use a seat belt or leash alone around a pet’s neck. It can cause strangulation.
- Don’t leave a pet loose in a car with open windows while you stop.
- Don’t let pets ride in a trailer or towed vehicle.
Never leave a pet in a parked car
A parked car can heat up to dangerous levels within minutes. On a day that’s only in the 70s, the inside can climb above 100°F in about 10 minutes, and far hotter after that. Cracking the windows doesn’t help enough. Pets can suffer heatstroke and die.
- Leave pets at home on hot days, or take them with you into pet-friendly places. See Hot Cars.
- Cold can also be deadly in winter. A car can become a freezer.
- Many states and cities have laws against leaving animals in vehicles in unsafe conditions, and some let police or even bystanders break a window to rescue an animal in danger. Know your local rules.
- If you see a pet in distress in a hot car, note the car’s details, ask nearby businesses to page the owner, and call 911 or animal control right away. Signs of heatstroke include heavy panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting, collapse and bright red gums.
- If a pet shows heatstroke signs: move it to shade or air conditioning, give small sips of cool water, apply cool (not ice-cold) water to the body, and go to a vet right away. See Pets in Emergencies.
Preparing your pet
- Get your pet used to the car with short, calm trips, building up to longer ones. Reward calm behavior. Teach them to enter and exit the car on command.
- Practice with the crate or harness at home before you travel.
- Feed lightly before the trip, a few hours ahead, to reduce car sickness. Ask your vet about medication for motion sickness or anxiety.
- Visit the vet before long trips. Check vaccines (some states and campgrounds require proof of rabies vaccination) and any health problems, and bring records.
- Make sure your pet has ID: a collar tag with your cell number, and a microchip with current info. Bring a recent photo.
On the road
- Stop every two to three hours for water, a bathroom break and exercise. Always use a leash when opening doors, and keep a hand on the pet when you open the car door.
- Keep the car comfortable: not too hot or cold, with good airflow and sun shades on windows. Offer water in a spill-proof bowl.
- Bring supplies: food, water, bowls, medicines, a leash and spare collar, waste bags, a blanket, a favorite toy and cleanup items. See Car Emergency Kit.
- Don’t feed pets in a moving car or give them food that could cause choking.
- Plan stops and lodging that allow pets. Check hotel pet policies and pet-friendly rest areas. Never leave a pet unattended in a hotel room that might be entered by staff.
- Be ready for emergencies: keep your vet’s number and the location of 24-hour animal hospitals along your route. See Breakdowns for what to do if the car dies in hot or cold weather.
After a crash
- Keep pets restrained until it’s safe. Frightened or hurt pets can bite. Don’t open doors where a pet could run into traffic.
- Get any pet that was in a crash to a vet, even if it looks fine. Internal injuries may not show right away. See After a Crash.
- If a pet is hurt by another animal, see Dog Bites & Animal Attacks.
Pet travel checklist
- Pet is in the back seat or cargo area, in a crash-tested crate or harness
- Nothing loose in the car that could hit the pet or people
- Windows are up enough that the pet can’t put its head out or jump out
- Pet is never left alone in a parked car, hot or cold
- Water, breaks every two to three hours, and a leash for every stop
- ID tags, microchip, records and a vet plan ready
Standards & references
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