Road trips with a dog in WA: a checklist
A road trip is easier on everyone when the dog is ready for it. This checklist pulls together what the RSPCA, Transport WA and Explore Parks WA say, so you can check it before you load the car.
Get your dog used to the car first
The RSPCA says the first thing to consider is making sure your dog is used to travelling by car before you make any plans.
What to pack
The RSPCA's checklist includes your dog's regular food and treats, familiar bedding and/or a travel crate, food and water bowls (plus extra bottles of fresh water in case you can't find a tap), a collar or harness and a leash, favourite toys, grooming equipment, towels in case your dog gets wet, a vehicle restraint, poo bags, any required medications and a first aid kit.
A hard-base seat cover keeps sand, water and fur off the back seat on the way home. It protects the seat; it is not a restraint.
Restrain your dog in the car
Transport WA says animals mustn't be in a position that obstructs the driver's vision or causes distraction, and drivers aren't permitted to have an animal on their lap. It recommends that animals be properly restrained during transport to reduce the risk of injury in an accident. Pets must be appropriately tethered or caged on the back of a ute or trailer. If you use a crate, the RSPCA says to secure it within the car and make sure your dog can lie down comfortably, stand, sit up, turn around and stretch.
Plan plenty of toilet breaks
The RSPCA recommends stopping for plenty of toilet breaks, and keeping your dog on a leash whenever they are outside the car. A 5 m or 7 m training line gives room to stretch at a rest stop while staying on lead.
Never leave a dog in a parked car
The RSPCA says never to leave an animal unattended in a car. Temperatures inside can reach more than double the outside temperature even on mild days, and parking in the shade or leaving the windows open doesn't really help. Dogs can also burn their feet or other body parts on a ute tray. Transport WA says leaving a dog in a car on a hot day can result in prosecution, fines, imprisonment and a lengthy prohibition order preventing the person from owning animals.
Check where dogs are allowed
Explore Parks WA says pets and other domestic animals are generally not permitted in parks, and that bringing an animal onto land managed under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 is an offence. There are a few exceptions. If there is no other practical access for your journey, you can drive through a park with your animal kept inside the vehicle, without stopping. Designated dog areas allow dogs on a lead, and in areas signed as dog exercise areas your dog must be under your control at all times. You can camp with your dog at the campgrounds listed on that page, with the dog on a lead at all times. Check the Explore Parks WA "Pets in parks" page before you go. The RSPCA also notes that the rules on transporting dogs in vehicles, including what restraints are required, vary by state and territory, so check them if you cross a border.
ID and vet details
The RSPCA recommends making sure your dog is microchipped with your contact details up to date on the microchip register, and wears an ID tag with your current contact details. It also suggests having the contact details of a local vet at your destination or clinics along the way, and knowing which emergency clinics open out of hours and on public holidays.
From the shop
- Hard-Base Waterproof Back Seat Cover: machine washable, fits without tools, free delivery.
- PODS 4 PETS Machine Washable Dog Bed: familiar bedding for the destination; three sizes.
- Canny Long Training Line: 5 m or 7 m for rest stops.
- Canny Waterproof Lead: wipes clean after beach or river stops, according to the maker.
Each item is sent directly by its brand; the delivery cost is shown before you pay.
For more, see our walking essentials and travel with pets pages.
Sources: RSPCA Australia, "Tips when planning a road trip with your dog" (11 January 2023); Transport WA, "Transporting animals in or on vehicles" (page updated 9 July 2026); Explore Parks WA, "Pets in parks" (last updated 7 April 2026). Rules can change, so check the sources before you travel.
Kipnook is a small Perth online shop. This guide is general information only and is not veterinary advice.