Key Takeaways
Head out the window injuries are common: Nearly half of dogs are allowed to stick their heads out of moving cars, and 1 in 3 of those dogs eventually suffer injuries.
Flying debris, wind, and ejection risks make this habit dangerous to your dog’s eyes, ears, mouth, and body.
Unrestrained pets are unsafe: Even calm dogs can become projectiles in a crash, or leap unexpectedly from a window.
Expert organizations agree: The AVMA, ASPCA, and CPS all warn against letting pets hang out of windows and urge proper restraints.
Cracked windows are fine: A slight window opening for airflow and scents is enriching, but never enough for a pet to stick their muzzle, head, or body out.
Safer alternatives exist: Use air conditioning when concerned about temperature, enrichment walks when concerned about mental stimulation, or window perches at home to give your dog joy without the risk.
We all know the sight: a happy dog with its head out the window, tongue flapping, ears in the wind, eyes bright with excitement. It’s iconic. It’s joyful. And it’s dangerous. There are nearly 90 million dogs in the United States. Around 45 million of them travel in vehicles at least once a month. Shockingly, about half of those dogs are allowed to stick their heads out the window. Of that group, nearly one in three sustains an injury because of it. That adds up to approximately 6.3 million dogs potentially being injured over their lifetime. That’s just from sticking their heads out of moving car windows. This isn’t a rare problem; it’s widespread and entirely preventable.
At Burnell Pets, we deeply understand the desire to give our furry companions those moments of pure exhilaration. Whether it’s to help them cool off, enjoy the breeze, or indulge their keen sense of smell. But as professional pet sitters and safety advocates, we’re here to spread awareness about why allowing pets to hang their heads out of moving vehicles is risky, and to offer safer, just-as-fun alternatives.
The Hidden Dangers of Heads Out the Window
Letting pets stick their heads out of a car window while moving may seem harmless, but it can result in serious injuries or even death. Here’s why:
1. Risk of Falling or Ejection
A sudden stop, sharp turn, or just an excited leap can result in your pet falling from the vehicle. This can cause catastrophic injuries or worse.
2. Eye, Ear, and Facial Damage
Road debris, dust, rocks, insects, and even leaves can strike your pet’s face, potentially leading to injuries such as scratched corneas, permanent eye damage, ear damage, or trauma to the nose and mouth. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) advises: “Keep your dog from riding with their head outside the car window.” Hanging out the window might seem fun for your pet. However, flying debris and wind can cause injuries to their eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
A 2022 survey by Direct Line Pet Insurance in the UK reported that 28% of dogs allowed to hang their heads out of moving car windows sustained injuries as a direct result. The same survey found that 47% of dog owners admitted to allowing the behavior. This illustrates just how common and risky this habit is. In other words, nearly half of dogs are allowed to stick their heads and bodies out of moving vehicles, and one in three of those dogs ends up injured as a result at some point. To put this into perspective, these are only the injuries that owners actually noticed. Consequently, that likely means the real number of injuries is even higher.
What the Experts Say
Several respected animal welfare and safety organizations strongly advise against letting pets hang their heads (or bodies) out of windows:
AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association): Strongly discourages pets riding with heads out windows or in truck beds due to risk of injury.
ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): Advises all pets be properly restrained during travel and notes the dangers of open windows.
Center for Pet Safety (CPS): Recommends using crash-tested, CPS-certified crates or harnesses to keep pets safe and secure during car rides. According to Kurgo’s Dog Travel Statistics, 84% of dog owners do not restrain their dog in the car. Of those, 42% say it’s because their dog is “calm.” But calm or not, an unrestrained dog can become a dangerous projectile during a crash. Another 39% of owners said they had never even considered restraining their dog, and 12% openly admit they avoid restraints so their dog can stick its head out the window: a habit proven to carry significant risk.
If you’re curious about secure travel, we’ve covered this in detail in our earlier post, The Dog Seat Belt: Protecting Your Pet. Be sure to check it out!
Cracking the Window Is Okay…Within Limits
It’s absolutely fine to crack your car window open slightly to allow fresh air and outside smells to filter in. In fact, this can be a great way for dogs to enjoy enrichment during a ride safely. The key is to lower the window just an inch or two, but not enough for your dog to stick out their muzzle, head, or body. Use child safety locks or window stoppers to help with this.
We Get It – And We Want Joy for Your Pet, Too
We understand. Really, we do. That big dog smile, those flapping ears, the excitement. It all tugs at our hearts, too. Letting a dog enjoy the ride is a beautiful gesture of love.
But here’s the good news: there are safer, equally enriching alternatives that satisfy the same needs:
Cool them off with air conditioning. If your vehicle has A/C, that’s the safest and most effective way to help your dog beat the heat.
No A/C? Skip the ride. On hot days without climate control, your pet may be better off at home in a cool, shaded space or in the care of a trusted pet sitter or family member.
Go on a “Sniffari” instead. A slow-paced enrichment walk that allows your pet to take in all the neighborhood scents is not only safer; it’s also mentally fulfilling.
Window time at home. If your pet loves watching the world go by, set them up with a comfy perch near a screen window or storm door at home.
A Safer Ride is a Happier Future
Your pet’s safety should never be left to chance, and neither should the safety of your other passengers. With just a few changes; a secured CPS-certified harness, a CPS-certified crate, a slightly cracked window, you can turn every car ride into a secure and comfortable adventure.
Let’s skip the wind-in-the-face thrill of dog’s heads out the window. Instead give our pets the gift of long, healthy lives filled with safe adventures and meaningful enrichment.
For more tips on pet travel, safety, and wellbeing, follow our blog or get in touch with us at burnellpets.com.