Like your human best friend, your dog can make an excellent travelling companion. But just like humans, car sickness in dogs is something that can happen without any notice. Some dogs even get sick on short trips to the vet. Signs of motion sickness include drooling, panting, restlessness, and trembling. Here’s a look at the facts of the matter:
Is car sickness in dogs a real thing?
Dogs can quickly get motion sickness, and it’s much more likely to affect puppies than adult dogs. A dog’s ear structure (involved in balance) isn’t as well developed in the puppy stages. As dogs mature, most of them outgrow motion suchness. But some of them need a little extra help to get over their problem, even when they’re grown.
What are the signs of car sickness in dogs?
As mentioned, some of the tell-tale signs include excessive drooling, panting, trembling, and restlessness. Here are some other indications that point to car sickness in dogs:
Yawning (which is a general sign of anxiety in dogs)
- Whining
- Licking their lips
- Vomiting
Is there any other reason my dog vomits in the car?
If your dog had motion sickness before during a car trip, they’d likely associate any form of car travel with vomiting. This negative connotation will be reinforced every time your dog has to get into the car. Your dog might be so anxious about the car trip that it’s a combination of the worry and motion that brings about the vomiting.
Is there anything I can do to help my dog?
Because car sickness in dogs leads to anxiety, you may have to manage the motion sickness and your dog’s negative association with the car. Here are some tips that might help curb motion sickness in dogs:
Keep them facing forward
When your dog faces forward, it has less visual stimulus for motion sickness versus looking out the side window.
Allow fresh air to flow through the car
Lowering your window slightly will ensure that fresh air flows through the car, which can alleviate nausea.
Distract them
If you have a passenger that can distract your dog with his or her favourite toy or some physical attention, it can really help ease motion sickness during short journeys.
Get something from the vet
Your veterinarian might be able to prescribe anti-nausea medication that can be used short term for longer journeys. Anti-nausea remedies aren’t suitable for all dogs and cannot be used long-term. You might also want to try a natural alternative like CBD oil for pets to curb your pet’s nausea and anxiety.
