Dog Motion Sickness: Signs and How to Help

Humans aren’t the only ones who have the misfortune of experiencing motion sickness. Dogs can get motion sickness, too! Dog motion sickness is common and can cause considerable distress for both dogs and dog parents.

The good news is that there are practical ways to manage and prevent it. Keep reading to learn more about dog car sickness and what you can do to help your pup feel better.

What is Dog Motion Sickness?

Dog motion sickness can occur in some canines when they are riding in a moving car. But it can happen with any form of transportation, like a boat, plane, or train.

Although carsick dogs (and people) generally feel sick to their stomach, the sensation actually starts in the inner ear. That’s where the vestibular system resides, which is responsible for balance.

When a dog is riding in a vehicle, it’s easy for this system to get disrupted. That’s because it’s receiving conflicting stimuli: the scenery outside is moving, even though the dog is standing still. This disconnect confuses the vestibular system and triggers the brain to send signals that cause nausea and vomiting.

Although nausea associated with motion sickness feels the same as regular dog nausea, it occurs only when a dog is in a moving vehicle. And it typically stops when the car stops moving.

Young dogs and puppies are more likely to get motion sickness because their inner ear and balance systems aren’t fully developed. However, adult dogs can also experience motion sickness.

Any breed of dog can suffer from motion sickness, but it tends to be more prevalent in Boxers, Border Collies, and Dachshunds.

Causes of Car Sickness in Dogs

Motion sickness is the same as car sickness. Its causes can generally be categorized as physical or psychological.

The physical causes are primarily related to a problem with the vestibular system or inner ear. For example, vestibular disease, which often makes dogs feel unbalanced, can cause motion sickness. Additionally, middle or inner ear infections can make dogs more susceptible to motion sickness.

Psychological causes include fear, anxiety, and stress about traveling. In these cases, it’s not something in the inner ear that triggers nausea, but negative memories of previous travel or trauma. If a dog starts to associate travel with nausea, that can be enough to bring it on.

Another cause could be not enough travel. Dogs that weren’t exposed to car rides as puppies may experience more anxiety over car rides. This can make motion sickness more likely.

Motion Sickness in Dogs: Symptoms

Dogs with motion sickness experience a variety of symptoms. These may include: 

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Restlessness or apprehension
• Whining or whimpering
• Drooling
• Licking lips
• Panting
• Yawning
• Diarrhea (severe cases)
• Inactivity
• Decreased appetite

Motion sickness nausea can be differentiated from other types of dog nausea because it occurs only when the dog is sitting in a moving vehicle.

Motion sickness in puppies and dogs is usually only present during car rides. That’s what differentiates it from other types of dog nausea. If your dog shows these symptoms outside of a travel situation, they’re unlikely to be car sick.

How to Help Dogs with Car Sickness: Next Steps

Motion sickness is no fun for your dog or you. The sooner you address the problem, the more pleasant car rides will be. Early intervention can also help reduce the likelihood of your dog developing stress and anxiety about travel.

In most cases, motion sickness in dogs is not an emergency. But if symptoms are frequent, severe, or paired with other health issues, it’s best to contact your veterinarian for guidance.

Your vet can confirm the diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan. Dog travel sickness is not curable. However, it can often be managed with a mix of treatments. These include behavioral training, lifestyle changes, and prescription medications.

When to visit the vet for dog motion sickness

Severe cases of motion sickness in dogs are rare. However, it’s important to be aware of the signs and dangers to ensure prompt treatment.

Dogs with severe motion sickness can easily become dehydrated due to vomiting and (in some cases) diarrhea. Dog dehydration can escalate quickly and impact organ function. So it should always be treated promptly by a veterinarian.

This is especially true for younger dogs. Dehydration is more serious in puppies because of their small body size. If your puppy is looking very unwell after a bout of motion sickness, get them treated as quickly as you can.

When you take your dog to the vet for a serious case of motion sickness, here’s what to expect:

• The veterinarian will give your pup a full exam. They may pay special attention to the ears to determine if inner ear issues are contributing to the motion sickness.
• Your vet may ask you to describe your dog’s motion sickness. Come prepared with helpful details, including how often it occurs, the type of travel that triggers it, and the duration of symptoms.
• If your dog is dehydrated, your vet will likely perform basic bloodwork and fluid therapy to rehydrate your dog.

Medicine for Motion Sickness for Dogs

In some cases, dog motion sickness medication may be necessary. Common options include: 

• Anti-nausea medications: Cerenia (maropitant) is a prescription anti-nausea medication for dogs that helps prevent vomiting. Dramamine is an over-the-counter medication that helps relieve nausea but may cause drowsiness. Only give under your vet’s supervision.

• Anti-anxiety medications: Xanax is a well-known anti-anxiety medication. It may help dogs that experience motion sickness due to travel anxiety. But remember that anti-anxiety medications need time to take effect. Ask your vet when to administer the medication so it can help your dog feel more relaxed during travel.
• Sedatives: Diazepam is a sedative that can help dogs feel relaxed and drowsy, which can help keep motion sickness at bay
• Antihistamine: The over-the-counter antihistamine Benedryl can reduce drooling and nausea associated with motion sickness. Only administer under your vet’s supervision to ensure you give your dog the correct dose.

Never give your dog any medication without first consulting your veterinarian.

At-home dog motion sickness treatment

“At-home treatment” for dog motion sickness doesn’t mean giving your dog something from your home medicine cabinet. For your pet’s safety, only treat your dog at home under the guidance of your veterinarian. And always ensure your vet has ruled out any other causes for your dog’s nausea or underlying health issues.

Some at-home treatments can be ideal for mild cases of dog motion sickness. For example, feeding your dog a bland diet following a mild bout of motion sickness can help ease their stomach upset.

With your vet’s okay, you may want to try natural remedies that promote calmness and soothe anxiety. These may be more beneficial in situations where travel stress triggers car sickness. Talk with your vet about whether such solutions are right for your pet and how to administer them.

A behavioral method called counterconditioning is useful for calming your dog down and gradually reducing travel-related anxiety. One approach is to begin with your dog sitting still in the car–first with the car off, and then turn the car on for just a few minutes.

Next, you can progress to short trips (to the mailbox and back) and gradually increase the trip duration. With gentle, consistent practice, your dog may soon become accustomed to travel…and may even enjoy it!

How to Prevent Dog Motion Sickness

Motion sickness prevention is largely about managing your dog’s mood, symptoms, and environment. With careful planning, you can not only help reduce your dog’s nausea, but also their stress, anxiety, and fear of travel.

As we’ve discussed, counterconditioning is an excellent prevention strategy for motion sickness in dogs. Over time, it helps dogs become more acclimated to and comfortable with the travel environment.

Making the car ride more comfortable is a great way to prevent motion sickness. Here are a few tips to help take canine car sickness out of car trips:

• Familiar smells can help ease anxiety and reassure your pet. Try bringing a cozy blanket or sweater that smells like home in the car with you to calm your dog.
• Give your dog special trip toys to keep them distracted and mentally stimulated.
• Play calming music (classical is a good choice).
• Keep the car cool and well-ventilated.
• Make sure your dog has access to fresh water during the trip.
• Put your dog in a carrier with solid sides so they can’t see the moving scenery outside the window. And secure the carrier to minimize movement during travel.
• Avoid feeding your dog 6–8 hours before travel to reduce nausea.
• If your vet recommends it, give your dog car sick meds like Cerenia or Dramamine before a trip.

Motion sickness in dogs can be unpleasant, but it’s treatable. If your dog throws up in the car or shows other signs of nausea, talk to your veterinarian about the best options. That could mean training, lifestyle changes, or motion sickness medicine for dogs.

By recognizing the signs and taking steps to manage or prevent it, you can make car rides a lot more enjoyable for both you and your pup.