Dog Car Sickness: How to Help Your Dog Enjoy the Ride

For some dogs, hearing the car keys means one thing:

Adventure!

They're at the door before you've even decided where you're going.

For others, a car trip means drooling, whining, restlessness, and sometimes a rather unpleasant clean-up on the side of the road.

If your dog gets car sick, you're definitely not alone.

And the good news is there are things you can do to help make travelling together more comfortable.

Why do dogs get car sick?

Just like people, dogs can experience motion sickness.

It is particularly common in puppies and younger dogs because the structures of the inner ear involved in balance are still developing. Many puppies improve as they get older, although some dogs continue experiencing motion sickness into adulthood.

But there's another side to car sickness that we sometimes overlook:

Anxiety.

A dog can begin associating the car with feeling nauseous.

Or perhaps most of their car trips end at the vet.

Soon, simply getting into the vehicle can make them anxious, sometimes before you've even started the engine.

That can create a cycle where anxiety and nausea make travelling increasingly unpleasant.

Signs your dog may be getting car sick

Vomiting is the obvious one, but it's not always the first sign.

Watch for:

• Excessive drooling

• Frequent lip licking or smacking

• Whining

• Pacing or restlessness

• Becoming unusually quiet

• Looking uncomfortable or anxious

• Vomiting

• Toileting unexpectedly

If you start noticing the earlier signs, you may be able to stop for a break before things progress.

1. Start with really short trips

If your dog already dislikes the car, don't start by expecting them to happily handle a four-hour road trip.

Go back to basics.

Start by simply sitting together in the parked car without going anywhere.

Next time, start the engine.

Then perhaps drive to the end of the road and back.

Gradually increase the distance as your dog becomes more comfortable.

The goal is to teach them:

Getting in the car doesn't always mean something unpleasant is about to happen.

2. Make some car trips lead somewhere FUN

This one is easy to forget.

Imagine if every time someone put you in a car, you ended up at the dentist.

You probably wouldn't be particularly excited about car rides either.

If your dog's main experience of travelling is going to the vet, groomer or somewhere else they find stressful, start mixing in some fun trips.

Drive five minutes to their favourite walking spot.

Visit a friend they love.

Go somewhere for a sniff and wander.

Then come home.

The car gradually becomes the thing that takes them to adventures rather than something they need to fear.

3. Keep the car cool and comfortable

A hot, stuffy vehicle isn't going to help a dog who's already feeling nauseous.

Keep the cabin comfortably cool and well ventilated while travelling.

Give your dog a secure place to settle and consider bringing their usual blanket or another familiar item.

That familiar smell can make a strange environment feel a little more like home.

4. Think about when you feed them

A big meal immediately before a winding car trip isn't necessarily the best combination for a dog prone to motion sickness.

If car sickness is a regular problem, speak with your vet about the best feeding routine before travel for your particular dog, especially before longer journeys.

Fresh drinking water should still be available as appropriate.

5. Keep your dog safely restrained

Dogs should be properly secured while travelling.

Depending on your dog and vehicle, that may mean an appropriate travel crate or a suitable canine car restraint/harness.

Apart from being safer, having a stable, familiar place to settle may also help some dogs feel more secure.

And as tempting as that happy face hanging out of the window might be, allowing your dog to travel with their head outside can expose their eyes and ears to debris and potential injury.

6. Take breaks on longer trips

When we're keen to reach a destination, it's easy to think:

"We'll just keep driving for another hour."

Your dog might have other ideas.

Plan regular stops on longer trips so everyone can stretch their legs, have a drink and take a toilet break.

It gives a dog who's beginning to feel uncomfortable a chance to settle before getting back on the road.

And let's face it, it's usually good for us too.

7. Don't turn car sickness into a battle

If your dog is whining, drooling or vomits in the car, they're not being naughty.

They're uncomfortable.

Getting frustrated with them can make the car feel even more stressful.

Stay calm, clean up what needs cleaning up and make the next trip shorter and easier.

Some dogs adjust quickly.

Others need considerably more time.

Go at your dog's pace.

What if none of this works?

If your dog regularly becomes nauseous, vomits during travel or becomes extremely distressed in the car, talk to your veterinarian.

There are veterinary treatments available for motion sickness, and your vet can help determine whether nausea, anxiety or another problem may be contributing.

Don't give your dog human travel-sickness medication or other medication unless your veterinarian has specifically advised you to do so.

Sometimes training and changes to the journey are enough.

Sometimes a dog needs additional help.

There's nothing wrong with that.

Never leave your dog alone in a parked car

This deserves its own section, especially in Australia.

Never rely on an open window to keep a parked vehicle safe for your dog.

Vehicle temperatures can rise dangerously and dogs can develop heat-related illness very quickly.

Plan your stops so your dog doesn't need to be left unattended in the vehicle.

It's one of those situations where convenience simply isn't worth the risk.

Make the journey part of the adventure

For those of us who love taking our dogs everywhere, the car isn't just transport.

It's where many of our adventures begin.

Camping trips.

Bushwalks.

Beach days.

Weekends away.

Or simply driving somewhere new for a Sunday walk.

If your dog struggles with car sickness, don't assume travelling together is off the table.

Start small.

Keep things positive.

Pay attention to what your dog is telling you.

And gradually help them discover that getting into the car can mean something pretty great is waiting at the other end.

Because sometimes the adventure begins long before you reach the trail.

Travelling with your dog?

Preparation can make adventures away from home much easier.

Water, leads, food, bedding, identification and basic first-aid supplies are all things worth thinking about before heading beyond the fence.

The HowlTrek Trek Pack Dog First Aid Kit was designed to give dog owners a compact first-aid kit that's easy to keep in the car, daypack or camping gear.

Be ready for the unexpected

Frequently asked questions

Why does my dog get sick in the car?

Dogs can experience motion sickness due to movement affecting their balance system. Anxiety and negative associations with car travel can also contribute, and some dogs experience both.

Do puppies grow out of car sickness?

Many puppies become less susceptible to motion sickness as they mature, but not every dog grows out of it.

Why does my dog drool so much in the car?

Excessive drooling can be an early sign of nausea or anxiety. If it happens regularly during car travel, discuss it with your veterinarian.

How can I get my dog used to travelling in the car?

Start slowly. Spend time in the parked vehicle, progress to very short drives and gradually increase the distance. Pair car travel with positive experiences and enjoyable destinations.

Can a vet help with dog car sickness?

Yes. If your dog regularly experiences nausea, vomiting or severe anxiety while travelling, your veterinarian can investigate possible causes and discuss appropriate treatment options.

HowlTrek

Because the best adventures leave paw prints.