UPDATED 11 December 2025
Securing your pet properly for a car journey guarantees its safety and gives you peace of mind. A dog riding in a car without any restraint can be a real danger in a collision: at just around 50 km/h, an unrestrained 10 kg dog “turns into” a projectile with a force of up to 300–400 kg acting on the seat back. No wonder more and more owners are looking for practical answers to the question of how to transport a dog in a car in line with both the law and common sense.
Not every dog enjoys travelling, but a well-chosen dog carrier, a comfortable dog car seat or a stable crate for a small dog can make a huge difference. All you need to do is give your pet a safe space in the car and make sure it is comfortable. How do you transport a dog in a car so that everyone can relax? Here is our step-by-step guide.
How to get a dog used to travelling by car
Unfortunately, not every dog takes to car travel straight away. Before you start wondering how to transport your dog in the car on a longer trip, it is worth calmly getting it used to the car itself. New sounds, smells and vibrations can leave a dog stressed in the car, so the first attempts should be short, calm and finished off with a treat.
It is best to start car training while your dog is still a puppy, but the same rule applies to adult dogs: the earlier you start, the better. Before you put your dog in the car for a journey of several hours, try a few short drives around the neighbourhood. This will also make it easier to decide later whether a dog carrier or a dog car seat on the back seat is the better option.
How do you go about it? Before your dog gets into the vehicle, it should be familiar with the chosen carrier or restraint it will be travelling in, as well as with the smell of the car. Reward your dog every time it comes into contact with these to build positive associations. Never force your pet into the car too quickly, as this may put it off altogether.
Your dog’s first journey
If your dog has successfully adapted to the car and to the carrier or restraint it will travel in, and the time has come for your first journey together, remember to bring along its favourite blanket or toy. These familiar touches create pleasant associations for your dog and help pass the time.
The first journey should not be too long. It is far better to get the animal used to car travel gradually. Ideally, the drive should end somewhere your dog knows and likes, which will help it feel more confident.
The first journey should also not be a trip to the vet, because your dog will then associate car travel with that unpleasant experience.
While driving, avoid loud, dynamic music, which can irritate a dog’s sensitive hearing. It is also worth removing any car air fresheners, as their strong scent can cause nausea.
Remember that some dogs accept car travel quickly, while others need more time. So never get annoyed with your dog – stay calm, patient and gentle. It is an unfamiliar situation for the animal, and you know yourself that stress in an unfamiliar situation and a strange environment is a perfectly normal reaction, right?
If you can bring along a passenger your dog likes on that first journey, do so – the extra company will certainly make the time more pleasant for your pet and have a calming effect.
Can a dog get motion sickness?
Absolutely – it is a condition that affects both people and animals. The symptoms are very similar: nausea, difficulty breathing and general restlessness. The animal may also yawn and drool excessively, and even retch.
It is important not to feed your pet before a car journey. Just in case.
Motion sickness can be triggered by fear of stimuli and sounds, which are more intense during a drive, as well as by the movement of the car itself – especially harsh driving, sudden braking or an uneven road surface.
Getting a dog used to the car from puppyhood can reduce the symptoms of motion sickness later in life, but sometimes the stress is so strong that they do not go away. In that case, you can seek advice from a vet and use mild sedatives to calm the animal. Never give your dog medication you have chosen yourself, as you could harm it!
Remember to keep the drive smooth throughout the journey. The driver should avoid sudden manoeuvres, skip the loud music and keep strong scents out of the car. The right cabin temperature and a supply of fresh air are also important. You do not need to – and in fact should not – open the windows wide, because a frightened dog may try to escape.
Transporting a dog in a car – the rules
Polish law does not contain detailed rules along the lines of “how to transport a dog in a car”, but general safety regulations apply. Article 60(1) of the Polish Road Traffic Code prohibits using a vehicle in a way that endangers people inside or outside it – which includes a dog left loose in the car that distracts the driver. In practice, this means a driver can be fined between PLN 20 and PLN 500 for a poorly secured dog, and in the event of a collision is liable as for an improperly secured load.
Article 1(2) of the Polish Animal Protection Act of 21 August 1997 states that, in matters not regulated by the Act, the provisions concerning objects apply to animals – in other words, the rules on carrying loads. A load must not hinder driving or restrict the driver’s view of the road, and it must be secured against shifting.
Anyone transporting a dog in a car who fails to comply with these rules may be fined between PLN 20 and PLN 500.
Another important provision is Article 6(2) of the Animal Protection Act, under which transporting an animal in poor conditions that expose it to stress and unnecessary suffering is an offence punishable (under Article 35(1)) by a fine, restriction of liberty or imprisonment for up to 2 years.
Transporting a dog in a car should therefore be safe and should not expose the animal to stress or suffering. Dog owners should act responsibly and use common sense when driving with a dog, so as not to endanger the driver or other road users. An improperly secured pet can cause an accident!
How to transport a dog safely
The right accessories can help you transport your dog safely by creating a secure space for the animal – a carrier, a crate or even protective mats that keep your pet comfortable. You can read more about the essential accessories below.
When choosing dog accessories, it is important to pick ones that suit both the size of your pet and your car. A small dog does not need as much space as a huge Great Dane, but whatever the breed, it needs comfort and safety.
We should stress that when driving with a dog you also need to remember to provide a flow of fresh air and water, and to avoid any additional stress caused by loud music, harsh driving and strong scents. Your dog should also not be fed shortly before the journey, to reduce the risk of nausea or vomiting.
On a long journey, it is also important to give your dog the chance to relieve itself, so plan stops where you can walk the dog on grass or in another area away from heavy traffic.
Useful car accessories
To transport your dog safely in a car, you will need the right accessories, chosen according to the size of your four-legged friend, its needs and the characteristics of its breed, as well as the size of the car it will be travelling in.
You should also consider where the dog will travel – the boot or the back seat – and take into account the quality of the products as well as your pet’s comfort and safety.
- Dog crate – a solution for large dogs that need more space. A crate is usually carried in the boot, but do not forget about access to fresh air – the boot must not be cut off from the rest of the car. Crates work well in saloons and hatchbacks. Smaller crates for smaller dogs can also be placed on the back seat and strapped in with the seat belts so they cannot shift during the drive or, worst of all, fall off the seat. Metal crates, folding crates and even crates that can be permanently fitted in the boot are all available. Whatever you choose, line the crate with a blanket or mat for the journey.
- Carrier or carrier bag – the most popular choice among owners of small dogs, which need smaller transport accessories. In a carrier the animal has less room to move, but its comfort is assured. You can choose a fabric or plastic carrier, place it on the back seat and strap it in with the seat belts.
- Harness and car seat belt – an increasingly popular way of transporting a dog. The dog wears a harness and a short lead that clips into the car’s seat belt buckle. This stops it moving around while keeping it comfortable. Harnesses and belts are chosen according to the dog’s size and weight.
- Car mat – a solution that stops your four-legged friend getting into the front of the car and also prevents it from falling between the seats. A mat works perfectly with a harness and seat belt if you plan to transport your dog on the back seat. There are also mats that can be fitted in the boot.
- Dog car seat – designed for small dogs, it works on a similar principle to a child seat. The pet is strapped into a small seat, which prevents it from getting out freely and keeps it safe.
- Car guard – fitted between the boot and the rear seats, it stops the dog getting into the front of the car without cutting it off from the cabin. The dog has access to fresh air and a comfortable space for the journey.
The consequences of transporting a dog improperly
Any animal may behave unpredictably, especially during a car journey. Like people, dogs feel and react in different ways. Transporting your pet improperly can restrict the driver’s view or even make it harder to control the vehicle, and that can lead to an accident.
A dog that is not belted in or secured in a suitable carrier is exposed, just like a person, to the consequences of an accident, which can cause serious internal and external injuries and even death.
In a crash, an unrestrained dog weighing 10 kg turns into a 400 kg projectile, posing a lethal threat to everyone in the vehicle.
What is more, an unsecured dog should never have a window wide open, because it could escape straight into the path of a speeding vehicle. And even if it only sticks its nose out of the window and you have secured it properly, be aware that it can catch a cold or be hit by objects you pass on the road.
What else is worth remembering?
When travelling with a dog, whether by car or public transport, it is worth taking a tracker with you. It is a device that comes in handy if a stressed animal slips its leash and runs off. You will find such a tracker in the notiOne range – its small size means it can easily be attached to your dog’s leash or harness.
Also take travel bowls for the journey, which you can fill with fresh water from a bottle, plus a blanket or bed and a favourite toy to make the trip more pleasant for your pet. Fitting window shades in the car is also a good idea, as they have a calming effect on the animal.
Is transporting your dog in the car still a challenge? Remember to get your pet used to the vehicle gradually, reward it for every interaction with the car to build positive associations, and provide the right comfort and safety.
Just like people, dogs feel stress, get motion sickness and may simply not like something, so it is important not to force them to travel by car.
Follow our tips, give your dog the right conditions for the journey and make sure it travels safely, and you are sure to cover plenty of kilometres together on the road!
