Dog travel sickness: causes, symptoms & how to manage

You might love the idea of jumping in the car with your dog and taking them to some of your favourite nature spots for a walk, but they might not feel the same way. For instance, they might be prone to travel sickness, as many dogs are, especially puppies. 

As a vet and canine behaviour expert, here are my tips on how you can help your car sick pup find travelling a little easier – including vet-approved advice on the treatment options available. In this article we’ll also look at the reasons why dogs can experience motion sickness, as well as a list of common symptoms.

Key takeaways

• Travel sickness is very common, especially in puppies who usually grow out of it by 12-18 months.
• Motion sickness in dogs can be caused by anxiety or past experiences in the car.
• Look out for symptoms including panting, whining, drooling, lip licking, yawning and vomiting.
• Get your dog used to the car with short trips at first, use treats to build positive associations with the car, and make the car a comfortable, quiet space, to reduce the likelihood of your dog feeling travel sick. 
• Natural remedies, over-the-counter treatments and prescribed medication are all available to help car sick dogs feel better. 

Table of contents

What is travel sickness in dogs?
Causes of motion sickness in dogs
Symptoms of travel sickness in dogs
How to prevent travel sickness in dogs
Treatment options for dogs with severe travel sickness
When to speak to a vet
Can dogs grow out of travel sickness?
Vet-recommended travel tips for car journeys

What is travel sickness in dogs?

Just like us, dogs can be affected by travel sickness – a physical reaction to the feeling of movement during travel (generally in a car). It can be related to anxiety, but it isn’t always. Motion sickness is more common in puppies, and while many dogs grow out of it, unfortunately not all do.

Causes of motion sickness in dogs

There are a few reasons why dogs might get travel sick – let’s take a look at what some of the most common causes are.

Immature inner ear balance (common in puppies)

One reason why puppies are more likely than adult dogs to experience travel sickness is because their bodies are still growing. The vestibular system inside the inner ear is super important for balance, but in puppies this is still developing.

Anxiety and fear of travel

Dogs that aren’t used to travelling in the car might get anxious about being in an unfamiliar environment. All the different noises and smells of the car can be a bit scary for them. In some cases, anxiety causes the nausea that comes with travel sickness, rather than the feeling of motion.

Association with previous experiences

It could be that your dog is remembering previous stressful trips in the car, like going to the vets, or a time when they were in the car for several hours on a long journey. If your pup has been travel sick before, they might even begin to associate travelling in the car with this feeling, making them more likely to feel car sick again.

Symptoms of travel sickness in dogs

Here are some signs that your dog doesn’t feel well in the car or is feeling anxious. Some of them – like panting or whining – you can listen out for, but if you have a passenger who can sit with your pup while you drive, ask them to watch for any symptoms like lip licking or drooling. 

• Excessive drooling/salivation
• Whining or crying
• Lip licking or yawning
• Vomiting
• Excessive panting
• Lethargy
• Reluctance to get in the car
• General uneasiness

How to prevent travel sickness in dogs

Whether you are hoping to show your new puppy that the car isn’t scary, or help your dog who struggles with travel sickness get better at riding in the car with you, these tips should help. If your dog finds travelling in the car really hard, it might be best to not take them for a drive for a while. Then, go back to basics and start again, the same way you would as if they’d never been in a car before.

Short, positive introduction to the car

Let your dog gradually get used to being in the car. You can start by giving your dog a treat for being relaxed near your vehicle, or sitting calmly inside. [1] Then, see how your dog responds to the sound of the engine. Once you’re sure that they don’t feel stressed in the car, you can start making your first journeys. They should be very short at first. 

Mix up the destinations, driving to different fun places like the park for a game of fetch, or a friend’s house for playtime in the garden. If you only drive your dog to the vets, it can contribute to travel anxiety, creating a fear of the car that can make them more likely to feel stressed and poorly when travelling. 

Of course, sometimes you might have to travel with your dog before you know whether they are comfortable being in the car or not, such as bringing a new dog home. If this is you, don’t worry, just try to keep them calm and drive slowly on your first trip.

Crate or booster restraints

First off, it’s a legal requirement in the Highway Code to make sure that your dog is suitably restrained in the car, for everyone’s safety. [2] But a seat belt harness, dog crate, carrier or dog booster seat can all have extra benefits for preventing travel sickness too! 

A crate or carrier can often be a dog’s ‘safe place’, so it can make travelling by car less scary. It also reduces the amount they’re moving around in the car, and limits what they can see. Travel sickness is sometimes caused by the contrast between what your eyes tell you and the sensation of movement you feel, and dogs are no different. Another way that restraints help is by encouraging your dog to face forwards, which can reduce travel sickness. But make sure they’re comfortable – your pup should be able to easily turn around and change position in the car.

Travel on an empty stomach

How recently your dog has eaten might affect how they feel on a car journey. If you feed your dog at least 2-3 hours before travel, this should make them less likely to feel poorly in the car. [3] If your dog has less food in their stomach, it can help reduce nausea and lower the chance of them vomiting, too.

Cool, ventilated environment

Warm, stuffy air can be a major cause of motion sickness. Your dog will be much more comfortable if your car is nice and cool, especially in hot weather! Keep a window open for some breeze – this might also help regulate the air pressure in the car, which is good for the sensitive vestibular system in your pup’s ear that has been linked to motion sickness.

Calming aids

If your dog’s travel sickness is linked to anxiety, tools that aim to help them stay calm and relaxed might help. If your dog already wears an anxiety wrap sometimes – or a vet or dog trainer has suggested that you try one – you might try putting it on your dog for a car journey to see if it helps calm them down. You can also use pheromone sprays, which we’ll discuss more in the next section.

Treatment options for dogs with severe travel sickness

For dogs who struggle with car sickness, there are lots of different treatment options, ranging from simple natural remedies to treatments that your vet can prescribe.

Natural remedies

First off, speak to your vet first before introducing any kind of new treatment for your dog’s travel sickness, even if it’s all-natural. Sometimes natural remedies can interact with medicine, or have a different effect when given to a pup with a medical condition.

There are a number of natural calming ingredients that are often used in products designed to help reduce your pet’s anxiety, such as chamomile which the RSPCA uses in its calming spray. [4] Lemon balm is another herb from the mint family that is often added to calming products. The amino acids L-arginine, L-theanine and L-tryptophan are three more natural ingredients to look out for. And lastly, some supplements contain GABA, another naturally occurring amino acid which might help lower anxiety by slowing down signals sent by the brain.

Over-the-counter calming products

There are also products that you can get over the counter, which aren’t medication but which contain scientifically developed formulas to help your dog feel calm. As with natural remedies, always check with your vet first to make sure these are suitable for your dog. Remember, while these treatments might help your pup relax, there’s no such thing as a magic pill that’s guaranteed to reduce anxiety.

Pheromone spray might also help – several different companies make their own, but what they have in common is a type of ingredient called synthetic dog appeasing pheromones (DAP). These chemicals mimic the natural pheromones that mother dogs release to communicate with and calm their puppies, so when you spray a little of this product into the air in your car, it might help your dog relax and know they’re safe. 

Alternatively, there are some supplements that use an extract from a milk protein called casein, which can be added to your dog’s food. Some people choose to give their dogs this treatment before a stressful situation, which could include car journeys if your dog gets travel sick. The guidelines say it’s best to start giving your dog the supplement 1-2 days before the event you think might stress them out.

Prescription medicines

Medication for motion sickness in dogs is also available from your vet. If your pup gets really anxious or nauseous in the car, there are treatments available that can target these symptoms. All dogs are different – your vet will give you advice for your dog’s individual case.

When to speak to a vet

If you’re wondering when to see a vet for your dog’s car sickness, here are some signs that making that appointment might really help:

• If your dog won’t stop vomiting in the car
• If your dog refuses to get into the car and is very anxious about travelling
• To explore medical treatment or rule out other causes (nausea and vomiting can also be symptoms of gastrointestinal problems)

Can dogs grow out of travel sickness?

Yes, many puppies grow out of car sickness by 12-18 months. As they grow up, their inner ear finishes developing and their balance improves. So if you’re daydreaming about taking a road trip with your dog or getting out and about for a camper van holiday, just because your pup feels poorly in the car right now doesn’t mean that’s off the cards forever! 

Keep taking your puppy or young dog on short, fun trips and train them to get used to the car. But if their car sickness seems severe, or they don’t seem to be growing out of it, don’t hesitate to ask your vet’s advice.

Vet-recommended travel tips for car journeys

Here are some top tips on how to make your car journey easier for your dog.

Before you go

• Give your dog some exercise before setting off – a worn-out pup is a relaxed pup!
• Feed your dog 2-3 hours before you travel, so their stomach is settled and they’re less likely to feel sick in the car.
• Bring some familiar items from home, like a cosy blanket and some toys. You could even set aside one to bring on car rides, so that your dog learns to associate a trip in the car with their favourite toy.

During the journey

• Keep the car cool to help your dog stay comfortable.
• Reduce visual stimulation with window blinds or a partial cover for your dog’s crate, although some dogs like to look out of the window, especially if they are facing forwards. See what works best for your dog! 
• Stop often for you and your dog to stretch your legs and have a break. This is especially important on longer journeys. 
• Choose your tunes carefully – music that’s too loud might stress your dog out (and the same with loud conversation).
• Drive smoothly, avoiding sudden stops and sharp turns, to help make it a pleasant ride for all passengers, human and canine.

Conclusion

If your dog gets travel sick, this is a really common issue, and there are plenty of ways to manage it. With the right approach, most dogs can get used to riding in the car. A combination of gradual behavioural training, and tips and tricks to make the car more comfortable and relaxing, can really help. Your vet is always on hand to help, too, recommending calming supplements or prescribing medical treatment if your dog’s car sickness is really serious.

We have a range of delicious treats here at Tails.com that you can use for rewards when training your dog, such as teaching them to get in and out of the car safely. You can also give them a little treat to say well done for riding in the car so well when you reach your destination. 
For more expert advice, check out the Tails.com blog for more articles on issues like dog health, behaviour and training.

FAQs

Can dogs take travel sickness tablets?

Yes, and the travel sickness tablets available range from over-the-counter treatments to vet-prescribed medicine for dogs who struggle with serious car sickness or anxiety. 

Are puppies more prone to car sickness?

Puppies are more likely to experience car sickness than adult dogs because the inner ear structure that controls their sense of balance hasn’t finished developing yet. They often grow out of motion sickness by 12-18 months. 

Can anxiety cause motion sickness in dogs?

If your dog feels anxious in the car, this can be a cause of travel sickness, making the nausea worse.

What’s the best position for a dog in the car?

Your dog should be comfortable and able to move around, but restrained so that they are kept safe on the journey. Facing forwards often reduces travel sickness as opposed to sitting sideways on the seat or backwards, because looking the same direction as you’re travelling helps.

Sources

[1] Dogs Trust, “How to Train Your Dog to Travel in the Car”
[2] The Highway Code
[3] PDSA, “Car Sickness and Motion Sickness in Dogs” 
[4] RSPCA, “RSPCA Calming Bed Spray For Dogs”