Dogs can get carsick for many reasons, which are often both physical and psychological. Just like humans, their sense of balance is critical during motion, and if the structures in the inner ear aren’t fully developed, puppies and even some older dogs may suffer nausea or vomiting while traveling. Motion sickness can also be related to anxiety or stress, as dogs may associate the car with unpleasant or traumatic experiences. I’ve noticed dogs from a separated litter react differently—some are unhappy immediately, while others remain calm—showing how much psychological factors affect their sickness.
The symptoms of motion sickness in dogs often mirror what children experience: vomit, nausea, anxiety, and restlessness. While mild cases may resolve once trips are over, severe occurrences can dehydrate your pet, so it’s important to monitor for dehydration and contact a veterinarian if needed. Cleaning after a sick dog can be stressful, but understanding the cause—whether medical or psychological—helps reduce stress. Positive adventures, regular walks, and fun experiences during travelling can slowly help dogs grow used to the car, making negative associations less likely to be reinforced.
To prevent carsickness, gradually introduce your dog to movement and balance challenges, allowing the brain to adjust. Short trips with rewards are better than long horror rides, which may cause unhappy memories. Always manage anxiety and stress by creating a comfortable environment in the car, and if your dog continues to suffer, consult a vet for medical guidance. With patience, most dogs can enjoy travelling without motion sickness, turning car trips into enjoyable adventures instead of a sick ordeal.
Symptoms of travel sickness in dogs
When traveling, some dogs show clear symptoms of motion sickness that owners often notice too late. Common signs include drooling, panting, nausea, yawning, shaking, and excessive licking of lips. Many may start swallowing repeatedly or retching, and some even vomiting, diarrhea, or peeing and pooing inside the car. A nauseous or sick dog often appears restless, whining, whimpering, or pulling away, afraid of getting inside the car. I’ve seen dogs with a decreased appetite refusing treats and short journeys can feel like a horror, reinforcing their fear of travel.
Other subtle problems may include lip licking, shaking, or panting even before the journey starts. Dogs that feel sick can become nervous, afraid, or simply uncomfortable, showing symptoms like drooling, whining, or restlessness. Watching for these early signs—from swallowing often to retching or vomiting—can help manage motion sickness better. With gentle introduction to short trips and positive experiences, dogs can gradually learn that traveling isn’t always unpleasant.
Make the Car Ride More Comfortable
Making car trips comfortable for dogs requires planning and patience. When a dog experiences motion sickness, nausea, or vomiting, it is important to manage the journey carefully. Start with short journeys with the engine off and the vehicle stationary, allowing your dog to explore the car. Let them sniff familiar smells from home, bring their favourite toy or blanket, and give treats to reinforce positive behaviour. Using a crate or harness restraint ensures safety, limits field of vision, and prevents the dog from getting nervous or afraid during travel.
Gradually, dogs can be retrained to enjoy car rides. Start the engine, allow ventilation, and let them sit in the middle seat with forward-facing vision. Open windows for fresh air and airflow, which helps equalize pressure and decrease nausea. Some owners find herbal remedies like ginger, mint, or natural supplements effective, while anti-sickness medication may be prescribed by a vet for severe car sickness. Avoid human medicine, as side effects can be harmful, and ineffective remedies may increase anxiety.
During travel, distraction is key. Encourage playing with a special toy, licking treats, or scent-based activities to distract from motion sickness. Use positive reinforcement, reward stages, and gradually increase tolerance by extending short journeys. If the dog shows signs of being afraid, nervous, or worked up, stop, let them walk, and give a few minutes to calm down. Monitoring symptoms closely ensures the dog stays relaxed and less anxious.
Creating the right environment in the car also helps. Use cool, well-ventilated areas, solid-sided crates, compression coats, or pheromone collars to reduce stress. Maintain short-term control by limiting food intake for 12 hours before a car trip, providing fresh water, and avoiding negative destinations like places where suffering may occur. Switching vehicles or doors open at first can help rebuild confidence and create a fun association with travelling.
Over time, dogs can develop tolerance and enjoy car rides. Training and retraining with calm, positive experiences builds confidence, turning nervous dogs into happy travellers. Use stationary practice, forward-facing seating, and short journeys to reinforce behaviour and avoid negative associations. If motion sickness persists, anti-sickness medication, calming supplements, or consultation with a vet ensures long-term comfort. With patience, the dog associates car travel with fun, safety, and a relaxed mind.
Conditioning and Desensitizing to Treat Carsickness
Conditioning and desensitizing a dog to car sickness takes patience, time, and careful planning. Many dogs experience motion sickness during travel due to both internal and external stimulus. Early signs like drooling, panting, whining, licking lips, retching, or vomiting indicate a nervous, anxious, or sick dog. I have seen even the most confident dogs become frightened or worked-up in a vehicle if they associate travel with negative experiences. Step-by-step training and repeated practice can build tolerance and turn car journeys into comfortable and positive experiences.
Start by introducing your dog to a stationary car with the engine off. Let them explore the backseat, crate, or harnessed seat, and bring their much-loved toys, blanket, or t-shirt that smells like home. Allow sniffing, gentle touch, and short periods of stationary practice for a few minutes. Reward calm behaviour with treats or attention. This gradual approach ensures the dog feels secure, comfortable, and less anxious before travelling begins.
Once your dog is relaxed with the stationary vehicle, switch to engine-on practice for one-two minutes. Keep windows open for fresh air and good airflow to help equalize pressure. Use positive reinforcement, giving small treats for calm behaviour. Avoid feeding immediately before short trips, and ensure your dog is well-hydrated. Repeated, short journeys reinforce good experiences without overwhelming the dog, slowly building tolerance for longer trips.
Introduce forward-facing seating, a secure harness, or solid-sided crates to limit slipping and excessive movement. Booster seats or enclosures help dogs feel safe while maintaining a field of vision that is not overwhelming. Short-term breaks at parks or family member’s houses allow your dog to stretch, walk, and play, which reduces stress, anxiety, and the risk of dehydration or vomiting.
Some dogs may benefit from natural remedies, including ginger, mint, or herbal supplements, while others require prescribed medications from a veterinarian, like anti-sickness, antiemetic, anti-anxiety, or calming medicines. Prescription medications like maropitant, meclizine, or acepromazine maleate can be used when motion sickness is severe, but side effects must be monitored carefully. Always consult a licensed vet before starting any medication to ensure it is effective and safe for your dog.
During travelling, distraction is a powerful tool. Bring toys, treats, and favourite items to distract your dog from motion, while reinforcing calm behaviour. Use stepwise travel training, starting with short journeys, gradually increasing duration. If your dog becomes worked-up, stop, allow breaks, and let them walk, play, or rest before continuing. This gradual progression ensures that travel remains safe, fun, and stress-free.
Over time, repeated positive experiences, consistent practice, and careful retraining help your dog become confident, relaxed, and happy during car journeys. Short-term stationary practice, engine-on sessions, and incremental exposure to longer trips build tolerance and prevent negative associations. By combining reward, attention, and well-ventilated, cool environments, dogs can enjoy travel safely, turning previously stressful trips into comfortable and enjoyable experiences.
Medication for Your Dog’s Carsickness
When dogs suffer from motion sickness or severe car sickness, medications and calming supplements can help make car travel less stressful. Anti-sickness medicines, nausea medication, or herbal remedies like ginger, valerian, or lavender may be used to alleviate nausea and stomach discomfort. Some non-prescription products, such as Yucalm calming capsules, Zylkene calming capsules, Adaptil Collar, or Adaptil Travel Spray, work as anti-anxiety products, helping dogs stay calmer during outings or vacations. Pheromone collars, compression coats, and air conditioning with window open or cooler air can complement medications to reduce stress and make car travel more comfortable.
In cases of traumatic experiences or inner ear infections, ear medications like Otomax or antibiotics such as Clavamox may be prescribed by a veterinarian. Sedatives or other prescribed medications should always be used under vet guidance to avoid side effects. Calming supplements, herbal products, and plants can also help dogs remain calm with reassurance from their owner, while radio or favorite toys provide distraction. Combining medication, natural herbs, and anti-anxiety products with positive experiences and cool, well-ventilated vehicles ensures dogs enjoy car travel safely and with less nausea.
Treating travel sickness
Treating travel sickness in dogs can involve a combination of home remedies, herbal and natural products, and medications. Ginger and mint are common herbal remedies that may help alleviate nausea, and some calming supplements, pheromone collars, or compression coats can reduce anxiety while travelling. For severe car sickness, licensed anti-sickness medicines or other prescribed medications may be recommended by a vet. It’s important to avoid human medicines, as they can cause dangerous side effects. Non-prescription products can be a short-term aid, but their effectiveness varies, and there is limited evidence on what will work for every dog.
Before using any products, consult a vet if you are unsure, especially for severe car sickness. A careful approach with small steps, starting with short trips, positive reinforcement, and a calm environment can help dogs gradually become more comfortable. Combining anti-anxiety supplements, herbal remedies, and safe medications where necessary provides a range of options for managing your dog’s car sickness effectively while minimizing side effects and keeping the dog relaxed during travelling.
Preventing car sickness
To prevent car sickness in your dog, start with short journeys of just a few minutes, allowing your pet to gradually acclimated to travelling. Begin with the car parked, letting your dog explore the boot or sit in a comfortable crate or on a secure harness. Using pet-safe pheromone sprays like Adaptil can calm anxiety, while giving treats and praise during and after trips helps your dog associate travel with positive experiences. Avoid feeding your dog for a few hours before the journey, and keep the car cool with good air circulation to reduce motion discomfort.
Travel training is most effective when done regularly. Build up from a few minutes to longer trips, always taking breaks for your dog to walk and stretch. For dogs prone to severe car sickness, your veterinarian may prescribe medication like Cerenia or trazodone. Pay attention to your dog’s comfort, ensuring they cannot slip or get jostled, and continue limiting stressors. With patience, consistency, and proper travel preparation, most dogs learn to enjoy journeys safely and comfortably.
Limit meals before travel
To prevent car sickness, it’s best to limit meals before travel. Avoid feeding your dog a full meal right before getting in the car; instead, offer a light meal or withhold food for a few hours. Large meals can increase vomiting and discomfort during long trips, especially in puppies or young dogs whose ear structures and balance are not fully developed. Keeping the stomach empty helps reduce the chances of hitting motion sickness. This is a simple remedy often seen as highly recommended for dogs prone to travel sickness.
How to stop a dog from getting car sick?
Some of the top tips to try when your dog is facing car sickness include keeping them facing forward with air flowing in the car, and limit food intake two hours before travel to prevent an upset stomach. Using gentle distraction like soft toys or calm music can help, and for dogs who remain uncomfortable, your veterinarian may suggest medication to keep them calm and reduce nausea during trips.
Do dogs grow out of carsickness?
Many dogs may outgrow car sickness as they mature, but some can continue to experience symptoms into adulthood depending on contributing factors like anxiety, moving in the vehicle, or negative associations with rides and trips. Gradual training and positive reinforcement can help, and in persistent cases, a veterinarian can provide advice or treatment to reduce discomfort and make travel more enjoyable.
What is the best natural remedy for dog motion sickness?
A simple natural remedy for dog car sickness is placing a cotton ball with a few drops of lavender or chamomile oil inside the car a few minutes before the trip. Once set off, the soothing aroma fills the space, helping your dog stay calm. Make sure to remove it afterward so your dog cannot eat the cotton, keeping the ride safe and comfortable.
How long does car sickness last in dogs?
Most dogs who experience motion sickness generally feel better within an hour or two of traveling, but severe cases may require several hours for full recovery, depending on the dog’s tolerance and previous experiences with car trips.
What is the 7 second rule for dogs?
The 7 second rule is a simple way to check if it’s safe to walk your dog on asphalt. Place the back of your hand on the ground; if you can’t stand the heat for 7 secs, the asphalt is too hot. Temperature conversions from air to asphalt are crucial because asphalt can get much hotter than the air and can burn your dog’s paws.