Travelling With a Puppy by Car: Safety and Tips

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

Whether it is a trip to the vet or a holiday, your puppy will spend time in the car. A little preparation makes travel safer for everyone and helps your puppy see the car as a normal, even enjoyable, part of life.

Safety first: restraint

An unrestrained puppy is a hazard. It can distract the driver, be thrown in a crash or escape when a door opens. Choose one of these options:

• Crate or carrier. A sturdy, well-ventilated crate that is secured so it cannot slide, with space for the puppy to stand, turn and lie down. See our guide to crate training.
• Harness with a seat belt attachment. Use a harness that is designed for car travel, and check its safety testing claims.
• Back seat or cargo area barrier. Used for larger dogs, but a crate remains the safest choice.

Do not attach a seat belt to a neck collar, because it can injure the neck in a sudden stop. Keep puppies out of the front seat, especially if airbags are present.

Get your puppy used to the car

1. Sit in the parked car with your puppy and give treats.
2. Run the engine without driving, and reward calm behavior.
3. Take a very short drive and end with something fun.
4. Gradually lengthen trips.
5. Go to pleasant places, not just the vet.

If your puppy is in its crate at home and likes it, move the crate to the car to make it more familiar.

Motion sickness

Many puppies drool, whine, yawn or vomit in the car. It often improves with age and positive exposure.

• Do not feed a large meal for a few hours before travel.
• Face the puppy forward and provide fresh air.
• Keep the car cool and drive smoothly.
• Take frequent short breaks.
• Ask your vet about medications or other options if it continues.

Before you go

• Check that your puppy is cleared by your vet for public stops. See when puppies can go outside and the vaccination schedule.
• Make sure ID tags and a microchip are in place.
• Plan the route with rest stops.

What to pack

• Water and a travel bowl
• Food and treats
• Leash and harness
• Waste bags
• Towels and a spare blanket
• Cleaning supplies for accidents
• Vet records
• A favorite toy
• A first-aid kit

On the road

• Stop regularly. Young puppies need toilet breaks often, and all puppies need stretching and water. Keep your puppy on a leash at every stop, and pick spots where unknown dogs have not been if vaccinations are incomplete.
• Offer water but not large amounts at once.
• Never leave your puppy in a parked car. Temperatures can rise to dangerous levels within minutes, even on a mild day.
• Keep windows open only a little, so the puppy cannot jump or put its head out.

Overnight trips

Book pet-friendly accommodation, pack your puppy's bed and crate and keep to normal feeding and toileting routines. Introduce the new place calmly.

Long journeys

Build up to long trips gradually. Plan the day around your puppy's needs, and consider breaking the journey with a stop for exercise and a meal. See our guide to flying with a puppy if the car is not an option.

Calming an anxious traveller

Some puppies are simply worried by movement and noise. Cover part of the crate with a light blanket so it feels den-like, add a familiar bedding item that smells of home and play quiet music. Hand out a chew or a stuffed toy during the journey if your puppy is not prone to nausea. Keep your own voice calm, since puppies pick up on tension. Ending each trip with something enjoyable, like a short walk or a game, helps the car become a predictor of good things rather than bad ones.

The takeaway

Secure your puppy, take it slowly and stop often. A positive start sets up a lifetime of happy travel.