Traveling with your furry best friend sounds like a blast on road trips, new smells, and maybe a stop at a dog-friendly beach. But for some dogs, car rides aren’t all wagging tails and window sniffs.
Motion sickness can turn your pup’s adventure into a queasy mess. Don’t worry, though vets have tricks up their sleeves to keep your dog’s tummy steady and the journey fun.
In this post, we’ll dig into what causes motion sickness, the signs to look out for, how your vet can help, and what you can do to keep those road trips happy and healthy.
Whether you’re headed to the beach or visiting family across the state, you’ll find everything you need to know here.
What Exactly Is Motion Sickness in Dogs?
Just like people, dogs can feel queasy when they’re in a moving vehicle. Motion sickness happens when the inner ear (which helps with balance) gets confused. The eyes are seeing one thing like a car zipping down the highway, but the body feels something different. This disconnect can lead to nausea, dizziness, and even vomiting.
Motion sickness is especially common in:
- Puppies (their balance system is still developing)
- Dogs who rarely ride in cars
- Pets with anxiety or fear of travel
The good news? With time, training, and the right support from your vet, most dogs can overcome this.
Why Do Dogs Get Motion Sickness?
Ever wonder why your dog looks woozy just a few minutes into a car ride? Motion sickness happens when your dog’s brain gets mixed signals. Their eyes see the world zooming by, but their body feels still in the car.
This confusion can upset their inner ear, which controls balance, you’ve got a drooling, nauseous pup. Puppies and younger dogs are especially prone because their balance systems are still developing.
It’s not all biology, though. Anxiety covers a good part too. If your dog associates car rides with the anxiety of vet visits or loud noises, their nerves can only enhance the sickness. Breeds sensitive to their stomach, such as bulldogs or pugs, might also struggle more.
- Common signs of motion sickness: Drooling, panting, vomiting, and generally looking uncomfortable.
- Fun fact: Most puppies grow out of motion sickness because their balance gets better.
How To Spot Motion Sickness While Travelling?
You must be aware of what’s happening before you can help your dog. Ways in which motion sickness presents are quite surprising. Surely, a huge indicator is vomiting, but some dogs just end up super drooly or yawning a lot.
Some may even pace in the backseat, while some will not get inside the car at all. Such signs can highly resemble anxiety, thus proving to be quite a task to distinguish without the help of a vet.
Common signs of motion sickness in dogs include:
- Excessive drooling
- Whining or crying
- Licking lips
- Yawning a lot
- Restlessness or pacing
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Refusing to get in the car
Vet-Approved Meds and Advices:
If your dog is one of those that fall ill due to motion, don’t worry as your vet has a variety of medications to help. One very common choice is Cerenia – it blocks the signals of nausea within the brain. It acts as a magical shield for your dog’s stomach in the car ride. It’s quite eventful.
There is no single, best medication. The size and health of the patient and its breed will be considerations for your veterinarian before the medications are picked. All these drugs come with instructions on how to administer them safely, often before traveling.
Want to stay updated on best practices and treatments? Consider attending free veterinary CE webinars. These webinars often cover clinical topics like pharmacology, internal medicine, and patient behavior helping you make informed decisions when managing cases like motion sickness in dogs
- Common meds: Cerenia, Benadryl, or Dramamine (vet-approved only).
- Safety first: Never give human medications without a vet’s okay.
Diet Preparation for Travel:
What your dog eats before a trip can make or break their tummy. A heavy meal right before hitting the road is a recipe for disaster.
Vets recommend feeding a light meal a few hours before travel to keep their stomach settled. Also, make sure they have plenty of water to stay hydrated, but skip the big gulps right before you go.
Prepping the car helps too. Crack a window for fresh air, keep the temperature cool, and secure your dog with a harness or crate. A comfy setup reduces stress and keeps nausea at bay.
- Feeding tip: Offer a small, bland meal 2–3 hours before travel.
- Car setup: Use a crate or harness for safety and comfort.
Some Natural Remedies To Ease Motion Sickness
If you’re hesitant about medications, vets can suggest natural remedies to soothe your dog’s motion sickness. Ginger is a superstar here small amounts, like a ginger snap or vet-approved supplement, can settle their stomach. Calming herbs like chamomile or lavender (in safe forms) might also help relax a nervous pup.
Always check with your vet before trying natural remedies, as some herbs aren’t safe for dogs. Combining these gentle options with training or car prep can make a big difference without relying on meds.
- Natural helpers: Ginger, chamomile, or pheromone sprays.
- Caution: Avoid human herbal products unless vet-approved.
Wrapping Up
But that’s not to say that motion sickness has to let the air out of your dog’s travel excitement. With vet-recommended drugs, sensible conditioning, and a pinch of luck, you will be able to convert car rides into a delight for your furry friend. Your vet is your best resource for relieving puppy motion sickness from recognizing signs to trying home remedies.
