Traveling With Dogs and Cats: Car Safety Tips & Accessories

CAR ACCESSORIES FOR DOGS, CATS, ROAD TRIP TIPS, & MORE

Traveling with a dog or cat in your car

July 29, 2024

No matter where you’re at in your pet journey, you’ve probably already thought of ways to make your summer road trips more fun and comfortable with your dog by your side.

New Car Accessories for Dogs and Cats

Car Accessories for Pet Travel

Nissan has a variety of pet accessory solutions available for your vehicle to help ensure that everything including your dog has a place in the car.

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Dog Harness (Sm, Med, Lrg, X-Lrg)

• Adjustable soft-padded dog harness with handle

• Included tether strap secures the harness to a rear-seat buckle

• Helps limit movement of your dog within the vehicle

• Helps prevent your dog from exiting the side door when opened

• For dogs from 25 lbs. up to 95 lbs.

• May run small. Use sizing information as a guide only.

Pet Seat Protector (Bench Seat) [[3949]]

• Made of durable polyester material with anti-slip rubber backing

• Features diamond stitching and Nissan logo

• Convenient zippers allow for partial folding of rear seats

• Includes openings for seat belt buckle access

Pet Seat Protector (Captain’s Chairs) [[3949]]

• Made of durable polyester material with anti-slip rubber backing

• Features diamond stitching and Nissan logo

• Designed for use with rear seat captain’s chairs

• Set of two

Pet Cargo Area Protector [[3949]]

• Made of durable polyester material with anti-slip rubber backing

• Features diamond stitching and Nissan logo

• Bumper flap helps protect your bumper when loading/unloading pets

• Convenient zippers allow for partial folding of rear seats

• Includes openings for LATCH (seat back) anchor access [[73]]

Pet Carrier

• Foldable pet carrier makes it easier to take your dog with you

• Includes 3 mesh doors (top, side, and front) with zipper closures

• Dimensions: 415mm x 415mm x 603.5 mm

• 25-lb. weight limit

Pet Ramp

• Telescoping ramp expands to 64 inches

• For dogs up to 150 lbs.

• Textured polyester (660D) surface for grip

• Includes a durable carry bag with Nissan logo

• Strong and lightweight aluminum construction

TRAVELING WITH YOUR PET

7 Tips for being on the road with your dog or cat

Just like you, your pet will appreciate a smooth, cool and cushy ride as you embark on your next road trip. You’ll want to consider everything to make your adventure a success. Learn tips for how to travel with a dog in your vehicle, types of car restraints available for your pet and how to secure your dog in the cargo area of an SUV. Explore available Nissan features that are designed to help protect the safety of passengers as well as create opportunities for functional storage and easy-to-access essentials. [[23]]

But first, take note of these seven tips to help plan, enjoyable road trip with your best friend.

Securing your pet in a harness, crate or carrier with supplied tether will help keep your pet from moving around the vehicle. The less your pet moves around, the less you’ll be distracted which will help you keep your eyes on the road, instead of checking the back seat.
While it is nice to open the windows on a long car ride, letting your pet ride with their head out the window can be a safety hazard. Debris, unexpected brakes and turns can lead to hazardous driving conditions.
Prepare your pet for longer trips by taking them on short interval rides first to help get them accustomed to longer car rides.
Pack the essentials. Pack a travel kit for your pet that includes items such as food, medication, water, bowls, waste bags and toys to keep them occupied. Keep in mind some states may require health records or proof of pet vaccinations, so consider packing those documents as well.
Never leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle, especially in extreme temperatures where pets can overheat quickly.
Keep your vehicle well ventilated. The last thing you want to do is have your pet overheat.
Take frequent stops. Give your pet the opportunity to go to the bathroom, walk around, drink some water and eat.

Travel accessories

How to secure a pet in your car

In advance of your trip, determine how you plan to properly secure your pet in the car. An unrestrained dog can pose a greater risk of injury to occupants of the car and be distracting. Nissan offers available accessories to help keep your pet secure on the road. Check out these four tips to help properly secure your pet in a car.

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Crates & carriers

If you plan on using a hard-shell crate or foldable Pet Carrier to secure your pet in the car, ensure it is large enough for your pet to move around and be comfortable. Secure your Pet Carrier using the two straps with metal clips either to the seatbelt in the rear seat or to the hooks on the side of your SUV or truck cargo area. No matter where your crate or carrier is in your vehicle, you should ensure it is fastened securely as possible. [[23]]

Buckle up

One of the best ways to keeping your dog secured is by using a chest-style harness in the back seat of your vehicle. A Dog Harness comes with supplied tether and is a great solution for medium to large-size pets who don’t fit in a pet car seat or would feel restrained inside a crate. To secure the Dog Harness, clip the provided tether to one end of the Harness, then the other end snaps into the rear seat belt buckle. Always consult the harness information manual for instruction on safety and proper vehicle use.

Set boundaries

Wondering how to secure your dog in the cargo area of an SUV? For both larger dogs and/or pets who struggle with restraints, consider a Retractable Pet Divider to help keep them behind the last row of an SUV. Using a cargo divider and setting boundaries can help reduce distractions for both the driver and the pet, so everyone can enjoy the drive. [[23]]

Making it easier

Getting your dog into your vehicle doesn’t have to be a workout. Make adventures easier with a telescoping Pet Ramp. Its strong, lightweight aluminum construction supports up to 150 lbs. Be sure to secure the pet ramp using a tether strap into the center D-ring before helping your dog enter and exit the car effortlessly.

BEST CROSSOVERS & SUVS FOR DOGS/CATS

Nissan Vehicles for Pet Owners

Kicks®

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Rogue®

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Pathfinder®

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Nissan ARIYA

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Murano®

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Armada®

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Still Have Questions?

We’ve got the answers to your most frequently asked questions right here.

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Need to get rid of dog hair in car?

Rescue your ride from your furbaby's fluff attack. Start by sucking up all the loose hair with a vacuum, then turn your car into a hair magnet by wiping down surfaces with a rubber glove. Finish with a lint roller for a final touch, and your car will be fur-free in no time.

How to get rid of dog smell in car?

To neutralize doggy odors, sprinkle baking soda on your car's carpets and fabrics, let it sit overnight, and then vacuum it up. White vinegar spray can also work wonders. For a deep clean, shampooing the interior will keep your vehicle fresh and inviting.

What car accessories should I get for my dog?

Essential gear for your car ensures your dog or cat stays happy on the road and at your destination. Start with a harness for buckling up, add comfortable seat protectors, use pet carriers or crates, and make it even easier with pet ramps.

Ways to secure a dog in car

Ensure your pet wears a harness for secure buckling, and use a comfortable seat protector for added comfort. For larger pets, secure them in a carrier or crate and consider using a pet ramp for easier access.

Traveling with a dog or cat in your car

New Car Accessories for Dogs and Cats

Dog Harness (Sm, Med, Lrg, X-Lrg)

Pet Seat Protector (Bench Seat) [[3949]]

Pet Seat Protector (Captain’s Chairs) [[3949]]

Pet Cargo Area Protector [[3949]]

Pet Carrier

Pet Ramp

7 Tips for being on the road with your dog or cat

Travel accessories

How to secure a pet in your car

Crates & carriers

Buckle up

Set boundaries

Making it easier

Nissan Vehicles for Pet Owners

MORE ON PET ACCESSORIES

Still Have Questions?

Need to get rid of dog hair in car?

How to get rid of dog smell in car?

What car accessories should I get for my dog?

Ways to secure a dog in car