How to keep your dog safe, calm, and comfortable on every car journey

Have you ever travelled in the car with your dog on your lap? Or let your dog travel with its head out the car window? If the answer is yes, then you’re not alone.

Research from Tavo uncovered the truth that 59% of motorists have driven with a dog unrestrained. Even more alarmingly, 26% of motorists with dogs in the UK allow their pet to travel with its head out of the car window. That is estimated to be around 3.5 million dogs being put in serious danger (based on a 13.5m pet dog population).

So how safe is your pet when you are driving? Here, your questions are answered by TV vet Dr Scott Miller and leading dog behaviourist and trainer Adem Fehmi, global ambassadors for Tavo, the brand behind the ultimate safe pet travel solutions.

Do I have to restrain my dog in the car? It doesn’t like being cooped up.

Dr Scott Miller: You most definitely do! Not only is it a legal requirement, but it can save its life in the event of a collision. Sadly, I’m faced with the consequences of unrestrained dogs in vehicles on a daily basis - from treating minor injuries through to fatal outcomes. When you realise you have been putting your dog at risk, that will be the last time you make that mistake.

Adem Fehmi: Cars can be an unsettling experience for dogs, so creating a safe, secure and consistent environment will help them feel calm and happy.

How can I ensure my dog is safe when it puts its head out of the window for air?

Dr Scott Miller: It is not safe at all, yet research by Tavo shows that 26% of UK motorists who own a dog admit to letting it do this. It puts the dog at risk of eye abrasions and injury from debris, as well as the possibility of jumping or falling from the moving car.

Adem Fehmi: Dog behaviour is complex. It may seem that a dog panting with its head out of the window is enjoying the fresh air, but panting can also be a sign of stress.

What is the safest way to restrain my dog?

Adem Fehmi: Placing your dog inside a crash-tested carrier in the vehicle is the best option for creating a sense of security. With repeated use, your dog will recognise it as a safe place, helping to promote calm when on the road.

Dr Scott Miller: An occupant crash-tested pet car seat from Tavo ensures that the seat does not move or roll in the event of a collision. This is important because it will not only protect pets in the event of an accident, but also passengers in the car too.

Safety meets refined style: The new Tavo Everett Travel Crate

As Dr Scott Miller and Adem Fehmi emphasise above, the safest way to travel with your dog is inside a crash-tested enclosure that creates a calm, secure environment while protecting all passengers. Meeting that gold standard is the new Everett by Tavo, a premium boot crate protecting dogs up to 45.4kg.

Engineered to UN ECE R129 child car seat safety standards, it combines an aluminium exoskeleton, an energy-absorbing load leg, and TailorTech™ memory foam side-impact protection with a sleek aesthetic that complements luxury car interiors.

By turning the car boot into a reassuring basecamp, the Everett directly addresses the stress and anxiety Adem Fehmi highlights. Thoughtful touches like 360-degree airflow, a scratch-resistant mattress, and a self-lifting door ensure your pet stays settled and content on the road.

Complete with smooth-rolling wheels, a retractable handle, and GREENGUARD-certified materials, it offers a seamless blend of child-seat-level security and refined design for every journey.

Dr Scott Miller and Adem Fehmi are global ambassadors for Tavo, a leading manufacturer of occupant crash-tested pet car seats and carriers. The duo have been raising awareness of pet safety together with Tavo, highlighting the risks and helping to ensure that more pets are protected when travelling in cars.

Find out more and view the Tavo range here at tavopets.com/uk