How to Transport a Dog in a Car: 8 Must-Follow Tips

Moving by car with your four-legged friend? Following best practices for how to transport a dog in a car is important for reducing both safety risks and stress. A move can be a tricky situation when there’s a canine companion to consider, since you need to make sure to balance their needs with all of the other tasks on your to do list. But your dog should always be a top priority during your move, especially once you hit the road.

Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, follow the tips below on how to transport a dog in a car to keep everyone (including yourself) more relaxed in transit.

Figure Out Where Your Dog Will Sit Ahead of Time

Choose Your Restraint Option

    • Harness seat belts
    • Zipline harnesses
    • Carry boxes with harness attachments

    All of the options above either serve as harnesses themselves or attach to your dog’s existing harness to keep them safer in the event of impact. Other options include:

      • Crates
      • Back seat hammocks
      • Back seat barriers
      • Dog guards (if your dog will be in the boot of your car)

      Don’t Feed Right Before You Go

      Plan For Stress

        • Remaining as calm as you can yourself, even if you’re not feeling it. Dogs are very in-tune with their humans’ body language and can easily pick up on your own stress.
        • Providing them with familiar objects during transport, such as setting up their area with their go-to blanket and toy.
        • Trying out non-prescription anxiety aids for dogs like CBD treats. To be safe though, test how your dog responds to these before moving day so that you know what to expect.

        Make Time For Breaks

        Limit Treats During Your Journey

        Keep the Interior Comfortable

        Pack an Essentials Bag

          • Harness and leash (if not on and/or by your dog already)
          • Travel food and water dish
          • Enough food for the trip and first 24 hours in your new home, plus a little extra just in case
          • A bottle of water in case your dog gets thirsty when you’re not near a store or drinking fountain
          • Any medications that your pet takes
          • Any medical records that your vet provided you with
          • Extra waste bags
          • Important tags that aren’t on your dog’s harness already
          • A couple toys
          • Treats
          • Package of disinfecting wipes

          The key to how to transport a dog in a car is planning ahead. There’s no such thing as winging it when it comes to making a long move with your canine friend, since you need to accommodate their needs as much as possible during the trip. If the drive is going to take multiple days, arrange for a stay at a dog-friendly hotel along the way (or multiple hotels, if your trip will take more than two days) instead of just hoping you’ll come across one. The more details you can anticipate and cover in advance, the easier of a time you’ll have on the road.

          Looking for more advice on moving with dogs? Check out our articles on helping your pup adjust to a new home and transferring your pet to a new veterinarian.