Unrestrained dogs in vehicles are at serious risk of injury in crashes and can cause driver distraction leading to accidents, making appropriate restraint a welfare and safety priority.
Dog welfare in car travel encompasses both safety from crash injury and comfort during the journey. Unrestrained dogs can die or be severely injured in crashes that the dog restraint would otherwise survive with minor injury. Travel anxiety causes unnecessary suffering on every car journey for affected dogs, potentially deterring owners from bringing dogs to veterinary appointments. Both issues are addressable: crash-tested restraints provide protection, and systematic desensitisation to car travel alongside antiemetics for motion sickness reduces travel distress. Welfare-centred car travel for dogs requires investment in appropriate equipment and, where needed, behavioural preparation.