My Dog Gets Carsick — What to Do?

One of the most rewarding experiences of having a furry friend is going on trips with it and discovering nature together. However, some of those adventures are far from home, and the car ride can make your dog uncomfortable.

Dogs, mainly puppies, just like children, are especially prone to getting carsick when traveling in vehicles. However, if you follow the tips in this article, you'll learn how to keep your dog from getting carsick and enjoy the trip with you.

Why Does My Dog Get Carsick?

The first thing we need to know to try to solve carsickness is where it comes from. Among the main causes, anxiety or stress stands out. Not knowing the surroundings, the situation, and the destination we're heading to can alter the animal's behavior.

Besides anxiety, other frequent causes are:

• Puppies not adapting because the mechanisms that regulate balance haven't fully developed yet
• Ear problems, such as injury or infection
• Rough driving on our part
• Too many curves along the route
• Lack of habit
• Traveling after a heavy meal

How to Tell If a Dog Is Carsick? Symptoms

The symptoms your dog will show if it gets carsick are the following:

• Whimpering and whining
• Nervousness and agitation
• Panting
• Yawning
• Excess drooling
• Shaking
• Barking
• Retching and nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

What to Do If a Dog Gets Carsick?

With the exception of a few specific causes, such as ear problems that will only be resolved with vet treatment, most cases of car sickness are solved with a lot of patience and consistency.

To prevent the anxiety some dogs feel when getting in a car, we need to teach our pet from puppyhood that this is a cozy, safe place. Getting your dog familiar and comfortable in the car should be the first step.

However, if your dog is already an adult and gets carsick when traveling by car, you can still follow the tips we offer below. It might take a bit more effort, but with patience you can get your dog to enjoy the ride.

Steps to Prevent Car Sickness

First, let the dog sniff around and get to know its surroundings before getting in the car.

Afterward, give it its own spot inside with some of its favorite items, like toys and a blanket, and encourage it to get in and out of the car with games several times.

After it recognizes the space as familiar, try to make its first car rides relaxed ones. To do this, walk the dog or play with it before the trip, but be careful — not right before the trip, since that could have the opposite effect and overexcite it.

Start with short trips so the dog understands the vehicle isn't something to be afraid of.

You can also offer it positive reinforcement when you see the dog is relaxed in the car. For example, petting, kind words, and a treat (the latter better at the end of the trip). If, on the other hand, it's stressed, try not to coddle it too much, since that won't help.

Another step to follow is avoiding rough driving. Although there are bumpy roads we can't avoid, it is in our hands to avoid sudden acceleration and hard braking.

Also, it's important to make stops on long trips every one or two hours so our dog can get some air and relax.

Lastly, remember to take frequent car rides so the dog gets used to it. Following these tips just once a year does little good. Persistence is important to get our friend used to it and achieve our goal.

My Dog Is Scared of the Car

For adult dogs that are scared of the car and already get carsick automatically, besides following all the tips already described, you can try changing its perception of the trip.

First, find a quiet spot away from home and encourage it to get in the car. Inside, have someone accompany and entertain it during the ride, and once you reach your destination, play with and pet the animal. Lastly, when you get back home, reward your friend and keep playing with it.

If you repeat this regularly, it's very likely you'll get your dog to understand that getting in the car isn't something bad or a reason to get stressed.

Anti-Nausea Medication for Dogs

If the problem persists after unsuccessfully trying all these steps, you should visit the vet so they can examine your dog and rule out any health problem that could be causing the sickness.

After ruling out any conditions, the vet may prescribe some special medications to reduce the suffering your pup feels when traveling. Some medications are meant to reduce the feeling of nervousness, others for nausea and vomiting, such as metoclopramide.

That said, whether you go with drugs for muscle relaxation or to prevent vomiting, it's important to check with the vet before giving your dog anything.