How To Stop Car Sickness In Dogs And Have Fun Traveling Again!

by Lori Ennis

Published: May 17th, 2021

how to stop car sickness in dogs and have fun traveling again

Pet Travel Expert Amy Burkert knows a thing or two about dogs that can’t stomach the open road. If your pooch can’t make it to your destination without puking, here are some tips that’ll help car sickness in dogs.

The first you notice is your dog panting in the back seat… but it’s not hot outside. On some level you know, but you continue on, trying to pretend. You roll the window down a bit to give him some air.

But then you see the drooling start. Who knew a dog could drool like that!?

When you catch the look in his eye – that why are you doing this to me? look that turns you into a puddle of regret – it’s already too late. And finally you hear it … the awful heaving … follow by the unmistakable YACK!

Nothing puts the brakes on a pet-friendly road trip faster than having your dog get sick in the car. And what makes it even worse is that you know that your dog feels even more horrible than you do! What you may not know is that you’re not alone – one study found that as many as 1 in 5 dogs suffer from motion sickness!1

The causes of motion sickness –in humans and dogs – are not well understood, but it’s believed to be related to how the brain controls balance and processes motion. If you’ve ever tried to read a book on a moving boat, you know exactly what I’m talking about! Dogs, of course, don’t understand why they’re feeling so rotten, they just learn that every time they get in the car, they have an extremely unpleasant experience.

Many of us humans can relate, can’t we?

Many vets believe that travel sickness in dogs tends to happen more in younger dogs than it does in older adult dogs, but of course, no dog is immune to dog car sickness. They think it’s more of an issue in younger dogs because of the inner ear not being as developed yet. It’s what gives signals (vestibular) to your dog’s brain to help them realize they need to adjust for balance. When their inner ear is underdeveloped, they may have weaker balance systems and this can tell their brain there’s a problem.

Most vets believe puppies will outgrow motion sickness as they hit a year or so.

But, they don’t always grow out of it. And sometimes dog car sickness isn’t caused by an issue with your dog’s inner ear. It could be anxiety because they don’t go on frequent car rides and when they do, it’s typically to the vet or the groomer (oh, the horror!). They may have a mental association that gives them the same anxiety and nervousness we often get before the dentist and that may make them pupchuck.

Even if they’re not used to associating car rides with just the vet or the groomer, they may simply feel uncomfortable with the moving of the car because they’re not in control of it. Stopping and taking a quick walk to get some fresh air may help eliminate a lot of your dog’s car sickness symptoms.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Car Sickness in Dogs

What can you do if you suspect car rides may be making your dog ill? The first thing is to watch him carefully for the following symptoms:

Drooling
Excessive lip licking
Excessive panting
Restlessness
Shaking
Vomiting
Whining
Yawning

Treating Car Sickness in Dogs

Depending on the severity of your dog’s motion sickness and the duration of any trips you’re considering with him, there are several things you can do to help him enjoy the ride:

Don’t feed him before you go. Nausea is always worse on a full stomach, so if you know you’re going to be traveling that day, reduce or skip your pup’s morning meal to help make him more comfortable.
Limit his vision. Looking out the windows at passing scenery may be triggering your dog’s motion sickness. There are several ways you can block his view: cover the sides of his properly secured carrier or crate, stretch a fitted sheet over the front and rear headrests to build a “dog fort” in the back seat, put sun shades over the widows near your dog, or consider getting him a cap made from fabric that’s partially see-through, like the ThunderCap from ThunderShirt.
Provide plenty of ventilation. Lowering the windows a couple of inches will help keep fresh air moving around your dog and also help equalize the air pressure inside and outside the car, which may help reduce his nausea and discomfort. Just be careful not to let your dog full-on hang out the window. Yes, we know there’s debate about that but it’s wise, especially if he’s feeling icky, to just give him some safe air flow.
Keep it cool. Keeping the temperature in the car cool while you’re traveling will encourage your dog to relax. It will also soothe the heat he’s probably feeling from being uncomfortable.
Talk to your veterinarian. Medications are available from your veterinarian and could help treat your dog’s symptoms.

Having a dog that gets sick in the car doesn’t have to mean that you’ll never be able to travel together. It may take a little more effort, but the rewards of having your dog with you on your next trip definitely outweigh the costs!

1Data on file, Harris Interactive Pet Owner Market Research CERMS2012, 2012 Zoetis Inc.

Lori Ennis

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Dog Ran A Mile to Her Doggy Daycare Center for Help After A Car Crash

A frightened dog ran a mile through heavy traffic to its doggy daycare to get help after she and her owner were in a car crash. Melisa Fickel, the dog’s owner, said that Aries, a three-year-old pit bull mix has always been a smart pooch. The pup, who was adopted in 2020, learns tricks quickly and loves to play in the park. Aries recently got a chance to show exactly how smart she is. The pooch and her owner were heeded to a local park in Detroit, Michigan when another car hit them from behind. Luckily, no one was injured, and both vehicles sustained only minor damages. However, the car accident spooked Aries, prompting her to jump out of the car’s window and run off into traffic. “I had the windows down because Aries likes to hang her head out,” said Fickel to a local TV station. “As soon as there was that smack, as soon as I felt and heard it, almost instantaneously, she was out the window.”Fearing the worst, Fickel was concerned about her pup’s safety. While dealing with the police and her insurance company, her mind was preoccupied with all the ways Aries could be in danger,“I can’t really think about it because so many things could have happened,” she added.What Fickel didn’t know is that Aries ran about a mile down the road, to the safest place she could be in - the Hounds Town Metro Detroid, the doggy daycare she frequently visits. Security footage recorded at the daycare showed Aries arriving at the center during the staff’s noon break when employees usually shut down the lobby to clean and catch up with other tasks. According to Dominic Pace, the daycare’s general manager, he and another employee were in the lobby when they saw something outside. “We noticed something dart past the front door,” said Pace. “It was like a black blur that just went past.”Thinking that they might have seen a dog, Pace went outside and found Aries standing by the sidewalk leading to the daycare’s front door. The pooch was panting and looked scared. Once inside the daycare, Aries has calmed down. Pace thought the dog looked familiar, so he called Travis Odgen, the daycare’s owner. At first, Odgen thought that it might be a stray dog, but as he got a better look, he instantly recognized Aries. “I was like, ‘Oh, that looks like Aries’ and then she walks closer and I’m like ‘That is Aries!’” he said. “I start to pet her and she gives me kisses, and she rolls over for me, recognizing me.”Although happy to see Aries, Odgen was confused to see the pooch without her owner. He immediately called Fickel to find out what was happening and to tell her that her dog was in the daycare.Everything made sense once Odgen learned about the fender bender and Aries’ escape. He assured the pup’s owner that she was safe and sound, minus a small cut on her paw. The staff promised to look after the pup until her owner sorted out everything and was able to pick her up.According to Pace, Aries is a very friendly and sweet dog who loves to flop on her back, expecting belly rubs from anyone nearby. “Dogs do have an intuition of knowing where they are and where they can be safe,” he said. “She knows that she’s safe here, that she has people here that will take care of her and dogs are pretty intuitive when it comes to that kind of thing.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Should My Cat Sleep in My Bed?

Final Thoughts - Should My Cat Sleep in My Bed?There is no “right” answer as to whether your cat should be allowed to sleep in your bed. While your furry friend could provide comfort and warmth through those long nights, they may also trigger health problems or keep you awake.Cat parents need to weigh the pros and cons, consider their cat’s personality and sleeping habits, factor in their own needs, and decide on the best solution for everyone. If you need your own space at night for a restful night’s sleep, there are other options that you can provide, including heated cat beds, cozy condos, and relaxing hammocks. Whatever you decide, the ultimate goal is to set up your home so everyone can get the sleep they need to live a happy, healthy life!Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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