Car crate for dog with joint flare-up

A vet recommendation to restrict movement in the car after a joint flare-up is really important to take seriously — especially in a senior dog. The goal is a crate that keeps them contained and supported so they can't shift their weight around on corners or braking, which puts real stress on inflamed joints. Before I point you in the right direction, can you tell me roughly how much your Chow mix weighs, and what car you're using — estate boot, back seat, or SUV? That'll help me make sure the sizing and fit work for you.

Perfect, that's really helpful. At 32kg she's solidly in the large-dog range, and a Volvo XC60 boot gives you good space to work with. For a dog recovering from a joint flare-up, you want a rigid-sided crate rather than a soft carrier — it needs to stay completely fixed so she can't push it around, and the hard walls give her something to lean against without the crate collapsing. Does she have any trouble getting in and out of the boot currently, or is the main concern just the movement once she's inside and you're driving?

That makes total sense — every slide and correction she makes is loading the joint. What you need is a crate that wedges firmly in the boot space, combined with a non-slip mat inside so she's not fighting for grip on every bend. My recommendation is the Midwest iCrate or, for a more robust build that sits solidly without shifting, the Ruff Land Kennel in the large size. Given you're in the UK and want something available quickly, I'd point you specifically to the Midwest Contour Double Door Crate — it's sized right for a 32kg dog, the wire frame is rigid enough that she can lean against the sides, and it fits the XC60 boot well with the back seats up. You'd pair it with a rubber-backed crate mat inside.

Yes — the simplest fix is a boot liner with raised edges and a non-slip backing, which keeps the crate from travelling sideways. Some people also use cam straps looped through the crate's wire panels and anchored to the boot's cargo hooks — most Volvos have them. That combination means the crate doesn't move, and neither does she. For her age and the joint issue, reducing that micro-movement during the journey is exactly what the vet is after.

Good plan. Get the largest size they offer — the 48-inch — for a 32kg Chow mix, so she can stand and turn without crouching, which matters for a dog with joint pain. A Gorilla Grip crate mat is worth adding to your order; it's washable and has just the right grip surface. Hope her joint settles quickly — restricted travel is an easy win for recovery if you set it up right.