Car crate for Basset Hound after vet advice

A vet recommendation to restrict movement in the car is serious — especially with a Basset Hound, where spinal and joint issues are common as they age. What you need here isn't just containment, it's a crate that prevents your dog from standing, turning, or bracing against impact, and one that sits securely in the boot without shifting. Before I point you to the right option: how old is your Basset, roughly how much do they weigh, and what car are you driving — specifically, is it an estate, SUV, or hatchback?

That's really helpful — a 27kg Basset with a disc issue in an XC60 boot gives me a clear picture. The priority here is a crate that's large enough for her to lie flat comfortably (Bassets are long and low, so floor space matters more than height), robust enough not to flex or rattle, and sized to wedge snugly against the boot walls so it doesn't slide. Does she currently load herself into the boot, or are you lifting her in? And is she crate-trained at all, or would this be new for her?

Perfect — that makes this straightforward. For a 27kg Basset with a disc condition who needs to travel flat and still, I'd go with the MidWest Homes for Pets iCrate, size XL (48 inch). Here's why it works for your situation specifically: the 48-inch length gives her room to lie fully stretched out, which is what you want — you're not trying to restrict her from lying down, just from turning, bracing, and jumping. The double-door design means you can load her from the side if that's easier given the XC60 boot shape. The folding metal frame is rigid enough to stay put and won't compress in a slide. Place a non-slip mat underneath and push it against the back seat — in an XC60 boot it'll fit without the parcel shelf and sit very stably. Pair it with a low ramp like the PetSafe Happy Ride so she walks in rather than being lifted every time, which also protects her back. The iCrate XL is around £70–80 on Amazon UK and is widely available.

Good question — the crate stops her from jumping, turning sharply, or bracing against the car's motion, which is the main source of strain the vet is trying to eliminate. Inside the crate, yes, she can shift her weight slightly, and that's fine — it's controlled, low-impact movement. To minimise sliding within the crate, put a vetbed or memory foam mat inside. Vetbed is ideal: it's non-slip, warm, and supportive for joints. The combination of a secure crate plus a cushioned non-slip surface inside is exactly what a post-disc-issue dog needs for car travel.

That's the right call. One last practical note: the first few journeys, keep them short so she settles into the new setup — familiar bedding from home inside the crate helps too. If her condition changes or the vet mentions hydrotherapy or further restrictions, it's worth asking specifically whether the crate setup needs adjusting. Hope she recovers well.