How to Choose a Dog Bed for the Car (Safety First)

October 6, 2026 · 5 min read

A long drive is easier when your dog has a cozy spot. But a car is not a living room, and the first rule is that a bed does not keep your dog safe. Here is what sources say about travelling with a dog, and how to choose a bed that fits the plan.

Safety first: a bed is not a restraint

Sources agree that a dog needs to be secured in the car:

VCA Animal Hospitals says: "It is important for your dog to be appropriately restrained during travel. It is safer for him and safer for you!"
Humane World for Animals says: "The safest way for your dog to travel in the car is in a crate that has been anchored to the vehicle using a seat belt or other secure means."
The ASPCA says this means "investing in a crate or harness to keep your pet secure," and never allowing a pet to ride with their head outside the window.
Hill's Pet recommends travel-rated crates or carriers, or a safety harness that buckles into the seat belt, and says crates should be secured in the back seat or the cargo area of an SUV, station wagon or minivan.

We make no safety claims about our beds in a moving vehicle. Think of a bed as the comfort layer, used inside a secured crate or alongside a harness, not instead of one.

Which setup is yours?

The right bed depends on how your dog rides:

In a crate. You need a bed that fits the crate floor. PetMD says crate mats and beds "will take up additional space," so account for the bedding when you size the crate. Hill's Pet says lining the floor with blankets and padding the sides with foam can make a crate more comfortable, as long as your dog will not chew them. Our guide on how to choose a dog crate bed covers fit and when to wait with chewers.
In a harness on the seat. A bed here is a general tip, not from our sources: pick something flat and light that does not interfere with the harness or the seat belt. Check that it does not get in the way of buckling.
In the cargo area. If a crate is secured there, as Hill's Pet describes, the same crate-floor rules apply.

What to look for in a car bed

These are general shopping tips, not rules from the sources:

A good fit. Measure the crate floor or seat area and compare it with the bed's listed dimensions. Every bed in our shop lists its dimensions.
Easy to wash. Car beds meet mud, drool and the occasional upset stomach. A removable cover or a washable bed is easier. Check the care label, and see how to wash a dog bed.
Low and flat. A thinner bed leaves more headroom in a crate and is easier to store.
A non-slip base. A bed that slides around is distracting on turns. Check what the bed lists.

A flat bed or mat is a natural place to start, and you can browse all our dog beds.

The rest of the trip matters more than the bed

Stops. Hill's Pet suggests stopping about every two hours to let your dog stretch their legs and do their business, with fresh water at each stop.
Heat. VCA says never to leave your dog alone in the car, because the interior can rise to a dangerous temperature within a very short time, causing heat stroke. Humane World says that when it is 72 °F (about 22 °C) outside, the inside of a car can reach 116 °F (about 47 °C) within an hour.
Car sickness. VCA says your veterinarian can prescribe medication to prevent the nausea and vomiting of car sickness, if needed. If your dog drools or vomits in the car, ask your vet.
Identification. VCA says your dog should wear identification when travelling, and suggests considering a microchip.

Quick answers

Should my dog ride on a bed in the car?

Sources say your dog should be restrained, with a crate or a harness. A bed can add comfort inside a secured crate.

Where is the safest place for a dog to ride?

Hill's Pet says crates should be secured in the back seat or the cargo area. Humane World says the safest way is in a crate anchored with a seat belt or other secure means.