One in ten transports their dog illegally in the car

Summer is finally here! And the warmer months are a time when many Swedes travel more and drive longer distances by car – and often their dogs come along too. A majority of dog owners take the safety of their pets in the car very seriously, but some break the law when transporting them, our Sifo survey shows.

The dog must not be left unattended in the car.

According to animal welfare legislation, dogs must be transported safely in a car and not be allowed to be loose. The dog must be in a transport cage, behind a heavy-duty cargo rack, or secured with a seat belt that is suitable for dogs. Dog owners who do not comply with the law risk paying a fine.

The Sifo survey shows that a clear majority (85%) of dog owners follow the law: More than one in three (37%) transports their dogs in a safety cage, while just over one in four (29%) uses a harness that is attached to the car. One in five (19%) places the dog behind a cargo rack in the trunk.

One in ten transports illegally

At the same time, more than one in ten (12%) say they transport their dog illegally. 7 percent say they let their dog loose in the back seat, 4 percent have their dog loose in the trunk without a cargo net, and 1 percent have their dog on their lap while driving. All of these methods of transport are illegal as they can distract the driver and pose a risk to both animals and people in the event of an accident.

– Many people base their choice of car on price, comfort and practical needs, which is completely reasonable. But for dog owners, there is another aspect: that the car also enables safe transport of the dog, for example by having space for a cage or a cargo rack. It is gratifying that the vast majority take that responsibility and ensure that the dog travels safely, says Daniel Odsberg, Sales Manager at Kvdbil .

The car can be turned into a sauna

In addition to transporting your dog safely in the car, it is also important to consider other risks during car trips – especially during the summer. One of the biggest dangers is leaving your dog alone in the car on hot days. Even with the windows open, the temperature can quickly rise to life-threatening levels. Even at 20 degrees outside, the temperature inside the car can reach 50 degrees within a few minutes.

– Many people don't think about how quickly the car turns into a sauna. It doesn't matter if you're just going to "run into the store for five minutes". Then it may be too late when you get back. Never leave a dog alone in the car during the summer, says Daniel Odsberg.

It is also important to ensure that dogs have access to water during longer trips, there are special bowls that prevent the water from splashing over – so-called “non-spill” bowls. Luggage or other objects should also not be able to fall on the dog and injure it. When transporting a dog by car abroad, there may be other rules that apply to dogs in the countries you are visiting.

This is how Swedes transport their dogs:

In a safety cage: 37%

Attached with a harness: 29%

Behind a cargo rack in the trunk: 19%

Loose in the back seat: 7%

Loose in the trunk without a cargo net: 4%

In the knee: 1%

Otherwise: 2%

About the survey: The survey was conducted in Kantar Media's web panel (Sifopanelen) during the period 13–21 March 2025. A total of 1050 people aged 20–79 with access to a car were interviewed, of which 275 have dogs. The web panel is nationally representative and recruited based on random selection. There is no self-recruitment in Kantar Media's web panel (Sifopanelen).