Blog Keeping Your Dog Safe When Riding Shotgun

These dog car safety tips can help keep your pup safe on your next road trip. Dogs can be great travel companions, but a car ride comes with a few rules that are easy to forget when your dog is busy staring out the window like they are personally supervising the highway.

Before you grab the keys and head out, take a look at these 10 things you should avoid when traveling with your dog.

1. Letting your dog roam freely in the car

A loose dog can become a distraction or be seriously injured during a sudden stop or crash. Your dog should ride in a secured crate or with a properly fitted harness connected to a seat belt. The back seat is generally the safer place for a dog because of the passenger airbag.

2. Using a restraint without checking how it is designed

A dog seat belt is not automatically a safe one. Look for equipment designed specifically for canine travel, and consider products that have been crash-tested or certified by the Center for Pet Safety. A crate should also be secured so it cannot slide around during a sudden stop.

3. Letting your dog ride in an open pickup bed

This one is a hard no. A dog can jump, fall, be thrown from the truck or be hit by flying debris. Even a dog that normally stays put can react to something it sees or hears.

4. Leaving your dog alone in a parked car

Cracking the windows does not make a parked car safe. The ASPCA’s current guidance says it is never safe to leave an animal alone in a parked vehicle, even for a short time. As of 2026, 32 states and the District of Columbia have laws addressing animals left unattended in vehicles under dangerous conditions.

If you need to make an errand that does not allow dogs, leave your pup at home instead of hoping the car stays cool.

5. Letting your dog sit on your lap while you drive

Your dog may think your lap is the best seat in the house. It is a terrible place for a passenger.

A dog on your lap can block your view, interfere with the steering wheel or pedals and be seriously injured by an airbag. Keep your attention on driving and your dog secured in the back seat.

6. Letting your dog hang their head out the window

Yes, the smells are probably fantastic. The risk is not.

Flying objects can injure your dog’s eyes, ears, face or mouth. A dog can also jump or fall through an open window during a sudden turn or stop. Keep the windows closed or only slightly open, and make sure your dog cannot stick their head through.

7. Forgetting water and regular breaks

Long drives are easier when your dog has access to water and gets a chance to stretch and take a bathroom break. Bring a bowl, water, leash and waste bags. The ASPCA also recommends packing medications, grooming supplies and your dog’s travel documents.

If your dog gets carsick, avoid feeding them in a moving vehicle. A light meal several hours before departure can be easier on their stomach.

8. Making every car ride a trip to the vet

If the only time your dog gets in the car is for an appointment they hate, they may start treating the car like a warning sign.

Short, easy drives can help. Start with a few minutes around the neighborhood, then gradually work up to longer trips. Give your dog a chance to get comfortable with their crate or harness before you expect them to use it on a long drive.

9. Ignoring signs of anxiety or motion sickness

Some dogs love the car. Others would rather stay home.

Panting, whining, drooling, shaking or vomiting can be signs that your dog is struggling with the ride. Talk to your veterinarian if motion sickness or anxiety is a recurring problem. Training can also help your dog become more comfortable with new situations.

10. Assuming every trip has to include your dog

This one is easy to overlook. Sometimes the safest option is for your dog to stay somewhere they already know and enjoy.

If you are taking a trip where your dog cannot come along, Very Important Paws has a dog hotel in West Palm Beach with 24-hour on-site care, giving your pup a safe, supervised place to stay while you’re away.

For shorter trips or days when your dog needs something to do while you are busy, VIP’s daycare and day camp programs provide structured play, swimming, socialization and enrichment to keep dogs active and engaged.

Your dog may still insist on riding shotgun. That is fine. Just make sure “shotgun” means safely secured in the back seat, not sitting on your lap with one paw on the steering wheel.