Dog Car Sickness – How to Help! 

Dog Car Sickness – How to Help! 

Most dogs love a good car ride!  It is fun to take your dog on mini adventures and let them experience the beauty of the great outdoors.  However, some dogs suffer from car sickness, and this can be a real problem.  It may cause your dog to become anxious or get sick during the car ride which is never a good thing.  This article will talk about the causes of car sickness and some tips on how you can help your dog get comfortable during car rides.

Dog car sickness is a condition where a dog becomes upset and sick when traveling in a car.  Dogs are not used to the sensations and sometimes do not have the proper defenses to deal with this type of movement.  Keep in mind that this is more common in puppies compared to older dogs.  You may be wondering what causes car sickness.  Most dogs will have a form of car sickness while they are younger.  For example, a puppy’s inner ear isn’t properly developed compared with an adult dog.  This may cause issues with balance, hence the motion sickness.  The main cause of motion sickness in older dogs is stress.  Your older dog may associate the stressful process of being in a car with going somewhere that they don’t like (veterinarian or groomer).

There are a few signs to watch out for if you feel that your dog may have motion sickness.

  • Lethargy
  • Excessive drooling
  • Pacing
  • Whining
  • Vomiting or diarrhea

There are several things that you can do to help your dog who is experiencing car sickness.  Comfort is key!  Ensure that your dog has a comfortable dog bed, pillow, or blanket to lay on while they are in the car.  Another thing that you can try is to keep your dog facing forward while you are driving them.  This will help cut down on the nausea.  Rolling down windows a few inches will work wonders.  What this does is allows some of the air pressure in the car to move.  The fresh air will be good for a dog’s upset stomach which may prevent vomiting.  Additionally, you can pack a few fun toys or chew bones for the car ride!  This will keep your dog occupied and hopefully prevent sickness all together.

You can always speak to your veterinarian if your dog’s car sickness is severe.  Medication may be able to help if you plan on transporting your dog often.  If your dog’s car sickness is getting in the way of them living their life, please follow our recommendations mentioned in this article.  Car rides should be a fun experience and you should do what it takes to ensure a happy and healthy pup along the way!