Is it safe let your dog hang their head out the window while on a road trip? The simple answer is no. While they do love to feel the wind in their whiskers, it is not safe for your dog to hang their head out the car window when driving.
Taking our dogs for a ride in the car is a fun way to spend time with them. Most dogs enjoy looking out the window and soaking up all the exciting sights as the world goes by. Be it a short ride to a friend’s house or a long road trip, it’s important to know that letting your dog hang their head out the car window is very dangerous.
I am neither a veterinarian nor a medical professional. The information in this article has been researched and sourced at the end of the post. All medical issues or questions regarding your pet’s health or symptoms should always be brought to the attention of your veterinarian for clarification, assessment, advice and treatment.
Here are some things to be aware of when you allow your dog to hang out of the car window:
Your Dog May Jump Out of the Vehicle
While we all know our dog’s personality, they can always surprise us when we least expect it. Just because your dog doesn’t normally chase other dogs or animals, you never know when the mood will strike. If you are out in a leash free park, or off for a walk in the woods, a trained dog will have the recall skills to come back as soon as you give them their queue or command. If, for some reason, your dog feels the need to chase while in an open window, they may just leap out. Those recall skills will be useless in this situation as you will remain in the car, possibly still moving. This can result in injury from the jump or getting lost. Even worse, your dog could be injured or killed by another vehicle.
The Dog Could Lose Their Balance and Fall Out
When out on the road I have seen many dogs standing on their front paws on the window opening as they cruised along. I have also seen many dogs, especially smaller ones, lose their balance and fall back into the vehicle when the driver stops quickly or turns unexpectedly. If they were to lose their balance in the wrong direction their dog would have fallen out onto the road into traffic. The results of that could be devastating. As with jumping out, your friend could wind up lost, injured or killed.
Your Dog Could Be Hit by Another Vehicle that is Travelling Too Close
While this would be a weird one, it has happened. Sometimes roads are narrow. Sometimes people are veering too far over in their lane. There are times when you’re close to having an accident, and maybe you can avoid it, but if your dog is hanging out the window and doesn’t manage to move quickly enough to avoid being struck, the results could be terrible.
Take note of some of the trucks on the road with blind spot mirrors that extend far away from the side of the truck. If that vehicle gets too close, those mirrors can easily hit a dog who is hanging out your car window.
Your Dog Could Be Thrown or Run Away in the Event of an Accident
Should you actually be involved in an accident, an unrestrained dog or a dog hanging out the window would be extremely vulnerable to injury or death. Should your pup survive the accident, they may be terrified and bolt from the scene. If the window was only opened part way, your dog would remain in the car with you.
Your Dog Could Get Hit By Flying Debris
Have you ever had a stone or other debris fly up and chip your window? Imagine what kind of impact it would take to chip or crack your window. Now imagine that same stone hitting your dog. I don’t want to think about how much harm that would do.
I remember one road trip I took to the east coast as a child. Out of nowhere, a swarm of bees hit the windshield. The impact was hard. We thought the windshield had broken from the sound. Imagine if we had a dog with its head out the window at that moment. They would have been blinded, severely injured, or worse.
Your Dog Could Become Ill from Inhaling Exhaust Fumes
Aside from the visible damage that can happen to your dog when riding with their head out the window, there are less obvious concerns as well.
Inhaling the direct exhaust from the vehicle on front of you when stuck in traffic or at a stop light is not good for their health. Carbon Monoxide or Diesel fumes can cause serious illness for dogs.
Safe Options for Taking Your Dog in the Car:
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To keep your dog safe in the car, the best practice is to keep them in a protected space with their head and body inside the car. Having the window open a little is nice for fresh air when not in traffic. Be sure the window is closed enough to block your dog from getting their head out and debris from getting in.
The breeze from an open window can offer many smells and sounds. It is good for dogs to use their senses to process information, and sniffing different scents is great for your dog’s brain. The key is to keep your little buddy safe while they enjoy the adventure.
Use a Crate in the Car to Keep Your Dog from Moving Around
Many dogs, both small and large, actually enjoy spending time in their crate. If yours is one of them, you may want to set up a crate in your vehicle for your dog to travel in. A small crate can be placed on the back seat, while a larger crate fits well in the cargo area of an SUV or van. This provides a safe and protected place for your doggo to rest and enjoy the ride, while still being able to look out the window.
Car Seats for Dogs Keep them in Place
A small dog may do well with a car seat. These seats elevate the dog to be able to see out of the window, while the attached seat belt keeps them restrained in the case of a quick stop or collision.
Seat Belts with a Harness to Keep your Dog Safe
A larger who dog can see out of the window on their own may just need to use a seat belt to protect them. They will be held in the vehicle and not fly forward in the event of a sudden stop. Just like humans, dogs can be ejected from a vehicle if not safely buckled in.
Other Options for Keeping Your Dog Safe in the Car
If your dog is anything like mine, who is a rescue, a crate is not an option. He is terrified in any enclosed space. I bought him 3 different styles of seatbelts, but he somehow manages to get himself all tangled and unable to move, so that didn’t work either. I had to find an alternative that offered him a safe space with ample protection. Here are the two best options I found:
Dog Hammocks in Your Back Seat can Keep Your Dog in Place
A hammock keeps your dog from moving around the vehicle. Many dogs like jumping from the back to the front or standing with their hind feet on the back seat and their front paws on the armrest.
This was my dog’s favorite place to be when in the car, but every time I turned a corner or had to slow down quickly, he would lose his balance and often fall down. One time he got his paw stuck between the centre console and the seat. That was the moment I realized just how easily he could have been hurt. He could have broken a bone because someone cut me off and I had to avoid an accident.
That was when I ordered the hammock. A hammock spans from the back rest in the rear seat up through the backrest of the front seat. It spreads across the opening between the two front seats, blocking them from entering the front of the vehicle or standing between the seats.
It keeps him safely in the back seat and he can’t fall anywhere. He still has the freedom to peek over the hammock or look out the window. He can lie down comfortably, and he won’t easily fly into the front in the event of an accident.
As a bonus, it protects your car seats from dirt and wear and tear. You can wash it in a washing machine and keep it, and your vehicle, smelling fresh.
Backseat Barrier/Partition Grill Between the Seats for Dog Safety
The last option is a barrier or partition. These are placed between the front and back seats, the second and third row seats, or the back seat and the cargo area. A partition is made of metal or mesh material. I prefer to use one that attaches to the seat and headrest to avoid damage to the interior of the vehicle.
Just like the hammock, the partition keeps your dog from entering different parts of the car. It will keep your doggo from being tossed forward into the front in the even of an accident. It also keeps your dog from roaming around the vehicle or standing between the seats.
For even better protection, use the grill and hammock together. Your pup will not be able to fall off the seat or through to the front.
Summary
Taking your dog for a ride with you can be an enjoyable time for all involved. To make sure your pup stays safe in your vehicle, it is best to keep your dog’s head inside the car and create a safe space inside the car for your pup to travel safely. While we would all like to think these things would never happen to us, these do happen frequently. Veterinarians see it all the time. I think it’s better to take precautions to keep our doggos safe, just in case.
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