Dogs restrained in the car: a 2026 study measures the real rate on trips to the vet
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
Between the carrier you didn't have time to bring out and a dog that "sits still fine on the back seat," restraint in the car is often the first thing forgotten before a trip to the vet. A US study due out in 2026 in the American Journal of Veterinary Research asked owners about exactly this. Our other guidance is gathered in the dog travel and safety section.
Contents · 4 sections
533 dogs, a questionnaire on arrival
Between 28 May and 2 August 2024, the owners of 533 dogs brought to a university veterinary hospital for an emergency, a sick visit, or a routine check-up filled out a questionnaire about how their dog had travelled there. The result: 195 dogs (36.6%) were restrained with some kind of restraint system, versus 338 (63.4%) transported with no restraint at all. The most common restraint type among restrained dogs was a harness clipped to the seat belt.
The statistical analysis isolates two factors associated with more frequent restraint use: taking a prescribed pre-visit medication (an anti-anxiety drug, an anti-nausea drug) and having pet health insurance. Conversely, each additional kilogram of a dog's body weight lowered the odds of being restrained by 3.3%. A dog's age, the reason for the visit, travel duration, reported anxiety level, and mode of transport (personal vehicle or otherwise) did not come out as associated with restraint use.
What this study does not show
The questionnaire covers trips to a veterinary hospital, not every everyday outing (the park, errands, visiting family): the share of unrestrained dogs could differ outside this specific context. The association between pet insurance and restraint use does not prove that having cover pushes owners to restrain their dog better — it more plausibly reflects an owner profile that is generally more cautious on several fronts at once. The study measures self-reported practice, not the actual injury risk in a crash.
What it changes before a trip
- Larger dogs are the least often restrained according to this study, even though they exert the most force in a sudden stop or a crash: a crash-tested harness remains relevant whatever the dog's size, as our article on the car safety harness details.
- A rigid carrier remains a solid alternative to a harness for small dogs, provided it is properly secured to the seat — see our guide to the car travel crate.
- A cargo barrier limits movement inside the car without fully immobilising the dog, an option worth considering for regular trips, detailed in our article on the car cargo barrier.
Frequently asked questions
Does a calm dog in the car really need to be restrained?
The dog's behaviour during the trip was not associated with restraint use in this study, but the risk in a crash or sudden stop stays the same whether the dog is calm or agitated.
Why are bigger dogs restrained less often?
The study finds the association without pinning down the exact cause: it could relate to the cost or bulk of restraint systems sized for large dogs, or to a carrier deemed too large for the vehicle.
Is a seat belt harness the only reliable system?
It is the most used one in this study, but a properly secured rigid carrier and a cargo barrier remain valid alternatives depending on the dog's size and the vehicle type. Find all our guides on the dog hub.
An accessory from our shop for this use: Dog car seat belt with elastic shock absorber (€30.90) · the whole shop
An accessory from our shop for this use: Adjustable dog car seat belt tether ($21.90, ships from the US) · the US shop
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Dogs universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.