Dog Carriers and Travel Gear: Car, Plane and Day Trips

For car trips, restrain your dog with a crash-tested harness and tether or a secured crate, and protect the seats with a hammock. For flights, check your airline's rules before buying a carrier, because sizes and policies differ. For day trips, pack a collapsible bowl, water and a spare leash.

A small dog looking out of a soft-sided carrier on a car's back seat beside a travel bowl

Never leave a dog alone in a parked car, even on a mild day. Traveling abroad? Pet entry rules (microchip, vaccinations, health certificates and sometimes parasite treatment) differ by country, so check the official government pages for where you're going, well ahead of time.

Travel vaccinations, parasite treatments and travel medicines: see your vet or a pet supply store with trained staff. Your vet can tell you what your destination requires.

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Airline-Style Carriers

Small dogs can travel in the cabin on some airlines in a carrier that fits under the seat; larger dogs may travel in the hold in a rigid crate, if the airline allows it. Rules, sizes and breed restrictions vary widely, especially for flat-faced dogs, so check with your airline before you buy.

Slings, Backpacks and Soft Carriers

Handy for small dogs on public transport, in crowds or on long walks they can't finish. Choose one that supports the whole body, and let your dog get used to it at home first.

Car Hammocks and Seat Covers

A back-seat hammock protects seats from mud and hair and stops a dog sliding into the footwell. Use it with a proper restraint, not instead of one.

Car Harnesses and Tethers

Some countries' road rules ask that pets are suitably restrained so they can't distract the driver or be thrown forward. Look for a car harness that has been crash-tested, attach the tether to the harness (never a collar), and keep the tether short.

Bowls, Bottles and Day-Trip Kit

A collapsible bowl and a water bottle make stops easy. Pack food in a sealed container, plus poop bags, a towel and a spare leash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Road trips, flights and tail wags.

Can my dog fly in the cabin?

Some airlines allow small dogs in the cabin in an approved carrier. Rules, fees and size limits vary, so check with your airline before booking.

What's the safest way for a dog to ride in a car?

Restrained, in the back: a crash-tested harness with a short tether, or a secured crate. Never loose, and never on a lap.

My dog gets carsick. What can I do?

Short, calm practice trips, a light meal a few hours before, fresh air and a secure, comfortable spot help many dogs. Ask your vet if it continues.