Travelling With A French Bulldog Puppy: Top Tips
1. Safety first
2. Plan ahead
3. Arrange regular breaks
4. Boredom busters
What should I pack when travelling with my puppy?
How to help with motion sickness in French Bulldog puppies
Travelling with a puppy by train or bus
Travelling abroad with a puppy
FAQs: Travelling With a French Bulldog Puppy
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Travelling With A French Bulldog Puppy: Top Tips
Travelling can be exciting but exhausting for puppies. New routines, unfamiliar smells and loud environments can leave them overstimulated. Most Frenchies are very inquisitive and try to get involved in everything, which can put them in trouble. Take things slowly, be patient, and always keep your puppy on a lead in new surroundings.
With the following tips, you can make sure your puppy has fun travelling and can build up their confidence with new situations and people.
1. Safety first
In the UK, it’s the law that all occupants of a moving vehicle must be safely restrained—and that includes your puppy.
Without safety precautions, a sudden stop or collision could launch your puppy forward, putting them and everyone else at risk. On the other hand, if your puppy gets into mischief and distracts you while driving, it may cause an accident, or you could face fines and penalty points.
Key safety essentials:
Puppies should travel in a secure crate or carrier.
Or, use a dog seat belt harness attached to a rear-seat seatbelt.
Never travel with your puppy on your lap!
Avoid the passenger seat and footwell. Puppies are more likely to distract the driver or be injured if an accident happens.
Do not allow your puppy to hang their head out the window. Flying objects or oncoming traffic can seriously injure them. Sudden braking could also lead to severe injury.
Never leave your frenchie puppy alone in a car. Even in mild weather, the combination of stress or excitement and poor ventilation can lead to overheating, and this can cause fatal complications in minutes.
2. Plan ahead
You should allow your Frenchie to get used to car journeys before going on any long ones. Start small and gradually build their confidence.
Preparation tips:
Get them used to the car when stationary first, using treats and toys, then with the engine on.
Begin with journeys lasting only a few minutes, ideally to go somewhere they already know and enjoy. Increase the duration of journeys slowly.
Travel early in the morning or later in the evening during summer to avoid heat and heavy traffic.
Feed a light meal at least 1–2 hours before travel.
Take your puppy for a short walk before leaving.
Keep the car cool and well ventilated with air conditioning or open windows.
If your puppy seems anxious, calming supplements and pheromone sprays may help
Frenchie's benefit from having something to keep them distracted during the journey, like a favourite chew toy. No food during the journey, though!
3. Arrange regular breaks
French Bulldog puppies have small bladders and can get very restless when they aren’t getting any attention. Regular short breaks are essential.
Before setting off:
Plan your route and take note of safe stops.
Carry fresh water and a bowl.
Pack poo bags, wipes and puppy pads.
Remember to keep your Frenchie on a lead near roads and car parks.
4. Boredom busters
Frenchies get bored quickly and can be very insistent when they demand attention. To keep journeys calm:
Bring a familiar blanket and their favourite toy.
Some puppies enjoy it when they can see out the window.
Play soothing music at low volume.
Break up long journeys with short detours to grassy areas for sniffing and play.
What should I pack when travelling with my puppy?
Even with careful planning, accidents happen—especially with puppies. Being prepared helps reduce stress if accidents or delays occur.
Your puppy travel kit should include:
Water and a bowl
Light snacks
Poo bags and puppy pads
Towels and dog wipes
A favourite toy or blanket
Tick remover
Cooling mats or pads
It’s very important to always keep the risk of heat stroke in mind with Frenchies, especially in stressful situations.
Always double-check that your puppy’s microchip details are up to date before travelling.
How to help with motion sickness in French Bulldog puppies
Travel sickness is common in puppies, but it usually improves with age. Their balance system is still developing, and new movements or stress can cause nausea and vomiting. Frenchies also tend to vomit or regurgitate more easily than other breeds, especially when they have a full stomach.
To help prevent motion sickness, start with short trips and very gradually increase journey length as your puppy gets more comfortable. Offer a light meal at least 1-2 hours before travel. Make sure the car is cool, well-ventilated and quiet.
For puppies that continue to struggle, pheromone products or supplements may help. If motion sickness persists or is severe, speak to your vet about safe anti-nausea medication.
Travelling with a puppy by train or bus
Travelling by train
Well-behaved dogs can travel on trains on a lead or in a carrier.
You can take up to two pets for free.
Puppies can’t toilet on trains, so journeys must be short enough for them to cope comfortably.
Try to travel at quieter times. Frenchie puppies can easily get overexcited when there is a lot going on, so having them in a carrier where they’re not constantly seeing everything around them may help.
Travelling by bus
Many UK buses allow one small dog, like a Frenchie, but it’s always at the driver’s discretion.
Keep your puppy on a lead or in a carrier and out of the way.
Have a backup plan if the bus is busy or in case you are not allowed on.
Travelling abroad with a puppy
Careful and timely planning is essential when travelling abroad with your Frenchie. Contact your vet about international travel as soon as you start planning. Your vet can advise on the timing of vaccines, parasite prevention and country-specific requirements. Different countries have different rules—always check entry requirements well in advance.
For travel to the EU or Northern Ireland, your puppy will need:
A Pet Passport or UK Health Certificate
Microchip
Rabies vaccination
Approved tapeworm treatment before returning to the UK
FAQs: Travelling With a French Bulldog Puppy
Q: How old does my French Bulldog need to be before they can travel?
A: Puppies can technically travel from any age, as long as they are safely restrained and the journey is short and calm. Save longer journeys for when your puppy is settled at home and relaxed in the car.
Q: How long can a Frenchie puppy travel in a car?
A: Young puppies should only travel for 30–60 minutes at a time before needing a break. As they grow and get better bladder control, this can be gradually increased. Regular breaks for water, toileting and stretching are essential.
Q: What should I do if my Frenchie needs a vet while we’re on holiday?
A: If you’re unsure what to do, the Joii Pet Care app provides 24/7 access to UK-registered vets. They can assess your puppy’s symptoms and advise whether urgent, in-person treatment is needed or if the problem can be safely managed at home.
If hands-on veterinary care is required, search “emergency vet near me” on Google. Even if the local practice appears closed, call their main number. Most clinics use voicemail to direct callers to the appropriate out-of-hours emergency service.
Join us again next month as we cover everything you need to know about caring for your Frenchie’s dental health.
