If your dog poops in the car, pull over somewhere safe, open the windows, pick up the mess with gloves or a bag, then clean the spot with an enzymatic pet-stain cleaner so the odor doesn’t linger. Most car accidents come down to excitement, travel anxiety or motion sickness, or a full belly, so a potty break before you leave and a light meal a few hours ahead go a long way toward preventing it.
Read on for the full clean-up steps, the common causes, and how to keep it from happening again.
What to do when your dog pooped in the car?
You’re having a nice day out driving around, the wind in your hair, singing along to the radio… and then you smell it. That unmistakable smell of dog poop. You take a look around and, sure enough, you spot it.
Your first instinct may be to panic but don’t. Take a deep breath and remember these few key steps:
- Open the windows – Fresh air is your best friend when trying to remove any smell from the car. Crack the windows while you look for a place to stop, but not so wide that your dog could jump out.
- Stop the car – Pull over as soon as it’s safe, ideally somewhere clean and out of traffic. Don’t try to clean up while driving. Take your dog out on a leash, too, in case they still need to go.
- Remove the poop – Use disposable gloves, a poop bag, or paper towels to carefully pick up the poop without touching it with your hands. Put it in a bag and discard it properly.
- Clean the affected area – Blot (don’t rub) the area to lift remnants, then treat it with an enzymatic pet-stain cleaner, which breaks down the compounds that cause odor. Regular wipes can remove the visible mess but often leave a smell your dog can still detect. For upholstery or carpet, a spot cleaner or wet vac may be needed for tough stains.
- Air out the car – Go for a drive with all the windows open in order to allow fresh air to circulate and remove any remaining odors from the car.
- Use a dog-friendly air freshener – Once your car is clean and aired out, use a dog-friendly air freshener to ensure any lingering odors are gone for good.
Why do dogs poop in the car?
If you’re puzzled as to why your trained pup won’t keep it together while in the car? It’s shockingly common. With various explanations behind this behavior, here are a few of them:
1Excitement for the trip
All that energy and anticipation of going on a ride can be quite overwhelming for your pup! You can almost see their excitement radiating off them as they eagerly jump into the car, and it’s quite adorable.
Yet all this enthusiasm comes at a cost, as you sometimes find yourself dealing with an unexpected surprise – the kind of surprise that needs to be cleaned up right away. So, while it’s always fun to watch their happiness when taking a trip, it’s also important to remember that potty training might take a backseat if they get too excited! A potty break right before you leave helps a lot.
2Anxiety for driving
When stepping out of their comfort zone and into a car, some dogs begin to experience feelings of anxiety. This could be caused by any number of issues, such as the unknown destination, unfamiliar sights, and sounds, or even the motion of the vehicle itself.
While it may be difficult to watch your pup struggle with these apprehensions, there are ways in which you can help manage their fear – from simple steps like exposing them to cars more often or playing music in the background to desensitizing therapy for more intense cases.
By taking the time to observe and address your pet’s own unique stress signals, you can make surprises far less likely. Motion sickness can also cause drooling, vomiting, or loose stools in the car; if your dog is regularly sick or panicky on drives, your vet can recommend anti-nausea or anti-anxiety medication.
3Be mindful of their diet
If your pup’s stomach is feeling a bit uneasy during car rides recently, it may be time to look at their diet. Along with ensuring that your pup is given the right nutrition and amounts of food, it’s important to keep an eye on any changes made. If your dog has loose stools at home too, we look at whether you should exercise a dog with diarrhea.
A sudden food switch, new treats, or table scraps can all upset your dog’s stomach and make an accident more likely. Stick to their usual food before a trip, and feed a smaller meal a few hours before you leave rather than right before you get in the car.
If your dog has diarrhea, strains, or has blood in their stool, or the accidents keep happening even on short trips, it’s worth a call to your vet to rule out a digestive or medical problem. Your dog’s stomach will thank you, not to mention your clean seat covers afterwards!
How to avoid dog poops in the car?
Potty training your dog will come a long way in preventing any poop accidents from happening. If your dog is already potty trained, you can take a few extra steps to ensure the inside of your car stays clean and poo-free!
1Schedule bathroom breaks
Make sure to plan at least one designated bathroom break during every car ride. Not only will this help keep your car a bit cleaner, it also gives your pup time to work off some energy and explore the world outside of their usual stomping grounds.
One nice bonus about scheduled bathroom breaks is that you’ll have an easier time training your pup to wait until he gets outside before using the restroom. With routine and consistency, you can encourage good habits in your pooch, and ultimately prevent unfortunate messes in the car.
2Create a secure space for your pup
If you’re driving for an extended period of time, it’s important to create a safe environment for your puppy so they can relax without making messes. Consider using a waterproof seat cover or a crate lined with a washable pad to contain any mess, and keep windows open only far enough for fresh air, not wide enough for your dog to jump out.
3Use distractions
Focusing on distractions can be an amazing way of keeping them entertained and relaxed during your travels together! Pack some toys, treats or calming music for when you hit the open road – all these things combined will help reduce stress levels and those pesky accidents.
4Bring cleaning supplies
It’s always a good idea to bring along cleaning supplies, such as paper towels and a stain remover, just in case an accident does happen. That way, you’ll be prepared for the worst and can clean up any mess quickly and easily.
Keep a few poop bags and disposable gloves in the glove box, too. Once you’re home, a vacuum-sealed dog poop trash can is perfect for storing the bagged mess so it doesn’t stink up your driveway or garage.
Final thoughts – Dog pooping in the car
Unexpected messes in the car are never enjoyable, but with a few tactics and products, you can keep your vehicle spotless and free from any chaos. Primarily, be vigilant of your pup’s habits prior to driving off and plan breaks for potty stops accordingly. With perseverance and training, you’ll have many more successful trips with your canine!
