Shih Tzu Car Travel - 
Car Seats, Motion Sickness & More

Overview

When taking your Shih Tzu for a drive, safety and comfort are paramount. Securing your dog properly is essential, as relying on your lap or the car's seat can be risky. Additionally, small dogs like the Shih Tzu are prone to motion sickness due to their size, which can cause discomfort, panic, or even a dislike for car rides.


This guide will delve into the top five reasons for using a car seat, the best car seat options for Shih Tzu dogs, and seven tips to prevent motion sickness, ensuring your furry friend's travels are as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Shih Tzu in red car seat
Shih Tzu in red car seat

Chloe at 6 years old, in her car seat, photo courtesy of Cheryl V. 

In this section:

Recommended Car Seats: For both Shih Tzu puppies and dogs

Tips to Prevent Car Sickness: Overview, top 7 tips

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Top 5 Reasons to Have Your Shih Tzu in a Car Seat

Securing your Shih Tzu in a canine car seat is crucial for their well-being and safety. Here are five key points to remember:

#1 Using the right seat can play a big role in preventing motion sickness.

A raised booster car seat, sized for toy breeds, can significantly reduce car sickness for Shih Tzu dogs by providing a clear view out of the windows and access to fresh air. This clear view helps by allowing a dog to visually process their movement, aligning their sense of motion with what they see, which is a key factor in preventing motion sickness. Additionally, the fresh air aids in reducing any nauseating feeling and provides a sense of calmness, further mitigating the chances of car sickness.

#2 You can't say a car accident won't happen to you.

Car crash statistics show the average person will be in 3 car accidents in their lifetime. And with over 16,000 vehicle accidents daily in the U.S., with the majority happening close to home within just 3 miles, no one is immune. Good driving doesn't negate the risk, as unpredictable factors like other drivers and weather conditions come into play.

Shih Tzu in a car seat
Safe? Yes! Luna, at 3 years old,
photo courtesy of Bonnie Olivier

#3 Having an unsecured dog increases the likelihood of an accident.

Having an unsecured dog increases the likelihood of an accident. Nearly 20% of crashes are due to distracted driving and an unrestrained dog, even a well-behaved one, is a distraction. An enlightening survey of pet owners conducted by AAA and Kurgo revealed that only 29% of people admitted being distracted by their dog, but at the same time, 65% also admitted to engaging in a distracting task with their dog while driving: 


  • 52% pet their dog while driving
  • 23% use an arm or hand to hold the dog in place when braking
  • 18% reach over to another seat to touch their dog
  • 17% have their dog on their lap at least for a portion of the drive
  • 13% give treats while driving


Looking away from the road for just 2 seconds doubles the chances of a crash. And did you know that if you were traveling 55 MPH and took your eyes off the road for 2.5 seconds, that you would travel the length of 1/2 of a football field?

Shih Tzu dog in safe car seat
Good line of sight? Yes! Buckled in for safety? Yes! 
Bunny, at 2 years old, photo courtesy of Bonnie Olivier

#4 Not securing your Shih Tzu poses a significant risk to their safety.

An unsecured dog, even at slow speeds, is vulnerable to crash force in an accident, which can propel and seriously harm your pet. Here’s what can happen if your Shih Tzu is not in a car seat:


  • In a crash going 20 MPH, a 10 lb. Shih Tzu would be thrown with the force of a 200-lb. object.
  • In a crash going 45 MPH, a 5 lb. Shih Tzu puppy would be thrown with the force of a 225-lb. object.
  • At 60 MPH, a 5-lb. puppy becomes a 300-lb. projectile, and a 10-lb. adult becomes a 600-lb. projectile.

#5 Both the insurance company and the police want your Shih Tzu in a car seat.

If your Shih Tzu is injured in an at-fault accident without being properly secured, most insurers won't cover the vet bills. Furthermore, many states enforce laws on pet transportation safety. For instance, New Jersey imposes fines from $250 to $1000 for improper animal transportation. States like Arizona, Connecticut, and Maine include pets in distracted driving laws, and Hawaii fines $57 for unrestrained pets, increasing to $97 if the pet is on your lap. However, the motivation should go beyond just avoiding fines, focusing on your Shih Tzu's safety.

Aspects of a Safe and Comfortable Canine Car Seat

Double car seat for two Shih Tzu dogs
Cozi and Princess Carolrose,
photo courtesy of Linda Curgian

There are various car safety options for pets, but not all are suitable for Shih Tzu puppies and dogs. Avoid free-standing crates or cages, as they fail to secure a dog safely, turning both the crate and pet into projectiles during an accident. Seat belt extenders, designed for larger dogs, are also not ideal for the Shih Tzu breed, particularly in addressing motion sickness.


The optimal choice is a raised booster car seat. These offer multiple benefits for safety and comfort:


  1. Raised Design: This provides a good line of sight out of the windows and positions a Shih Tzu closer to slightly open windows, allowing access to fresh air; both are crucial factors in mitigating motion sickness.
  2. Sturdy Sides: This features offer stability by supporting a dog as a car stops and turns, minimizing discomfort and sickness.
  3. Inner Harness Buckle: There is a harness buckle inside, intended to be attached to a dog’s harness (not the collar, as this can cause neck injuries). This feature ensures a dog is securely held within the seat, providing both safety and stability.
shih-tzu-dogs-in-car-seat
Lacey, as a 1-year-old, with sister DeeDee, as a 3-year-old, 
photo courtesy of Daphne Looper
Keeping all of the above listed qualities in mind, and with car seats sized specifically for small dogs, these are our top picks: 

This car seat is an excellent choice for its stability and comfort for small dogs, giving a clear view and keeping them close to fresh air. It's easy to install, which is a plus. The seat boasts a 3-inch foam cushion with a quilted cover that's removable and washable. Recommended sizes are small for Shih Tzus up to 15 lbs. and large for those nearing 20 lbs., with the large size accommodating two small Shih Tzus side-by-side, thanks to inner buckles.

This is designed for dogs under 25 lbs, so it's great for adult Shih Tzu dogs. It has a super cozy fleece liner that's removable and washable. And of course, it has a seat belt tether that connects to a Shih Tzu's harness. The base is black and liner options are pastel pink or pastel blue. 

If you're looking for something a bit different, this option does not hang, but rather it sits on the car's seat and is an elevated platform. So, you get the same benefits, but with a unique design that can offer even more stability. The liner is removable and this seat is very easy to put in and out of the car.

Harnesses for in the Car

When securing your Shih Tzu in a car seat, it's crucial to attach the seat's inner connector to a harness, not a collar, to avoid neck injury. This ensures that during acceleration, deceleration, and turns, the pressure is distributed across the dog's shoulders, back, and chest, rather than the neck, which is especially important in preventing catastrophic injury in an accident.

Every Shih Tzu should have a harness for walks, and this is the very same type that can be used in the car. 
One of our favorites is the Puppia Soft B Harness which has several excellent features. It is a step-in design (nothing has to be slipped over the head), it has two D-rings for both safety and better distribution of force, the inner layer is soft to prevent irritation to the underarms, and it comes in a wide variety of both sizes and colors. 

Tips to Prevent Car Sickness

Car sickness is very common among canines; in fact, it is a top concern when traveling by car and other forms of transportation such as planes and even trains.

What causes this: A disconnect between what the body feels and the eyes see. The inner ears sense motion. And the body is moving during turns, deceleration, and acceleration. Yet, the eyes see the interior of the car which is not moving. 

Signs: Drooling, heavy panting, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, and/or panicked behavior.

Onset: This can begin within moments of driving or may develop after a certain amount of time has lapse (every dog has his/her own limitations). 

Prevention/Treatment: Once a dog starts to feel sick in the car, most will not feel better until they exit. However, there are lots of things that all work together to help prevent this from occurring:

1. Keep your Shih Tzu in a raised booster car seat. 

2. Keep windows slightly open. In the summer and in the winter, you’ll have to turn up the AC/heat to compensate; however, a bit of moving air always helps.

3. Keep the car slightly cooler than you would otherwise. This is particularly relevant in the wintertime when you may be prone to cranking the heat.

4. Give a small jelly bean (without chocolate or sugar substitutes) 10 to 15 minutes before traveling to help calm your dog's stomach. Avoid toxic ingredients for canines.
5. Do not feed a full meal within 1 hour of driving. Instead, offer a dry dog treat like Old Mother Hubbard Mini Classic Crunchy Natural Dog Treats, given 15 to 20 minutes before leaving, and each time you stop for a break.
6. Consider an herbal supplement for stress. One you may wish to try is Bach Flower Essences Rescue Remedy. This homeopathic supplement, combining four stress-relieving flowers, should be administered 30 minutes before travel. Just 3-4 drops are needed, which can be added to a treat, water dish, or given directly from the dropper.
7. For long car rides, take breaks, especially for trips over 30 minutes. Stop halfway to let your Shih Tzu stretch, use the bathroom, drink water, and have a small snack. It's easier to prevent car sickness than to reverse it once it starts.

A Final Note:

Our canine family members place their trust in us to shield them from danger and ensure their safety at all times. This trust extends to how we transport them in our vehicles. 

It's essential to recognize the risks involved when a Shih Tzu puppy or dog is left unrestrained during car journeys. An unrestrained dog not only faces a higher risk of injury in the event of a sudden stop or accident but can also become a distraction to the driver, increasing the likelihood of accidents. 

To safeguard your Shih Tzu's well-being and overall safety, it's crucial to use appropriate restraint methods while traveling in the car. This proactive approach not only protects your sweetie-pie but also contributes to a safer driving environment for everyone on the road. 

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