Care & how-to
Dog Car Sickness: Why It Happens and How to Help
Car sickness is common in dogs, especially puppies, because the parts of the inner ear that control balance are still developing. VCA notes many puppies outgrow it by about a year old. Adult dogs often get sick from too little car experience or a bad early ride. Seating your dog facing forward, keeping the car cool, skipping a big meal before the trip and building up with short, happy rides usually helps. Medicine is a decision for your vet.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 9, 20264 min read3 sources
Why dogs get car sick
Motion sickness comes from a mismatch between what the inner ear feels and what the eyes see, the same as in people. The AKC explains that puppies are most affected because the balance structures in their inner ear are not fully developed, and that some dogs never fully outgrow it. A dog staring out a side window at scenery rushing past is more likely to feel queasy.
Anxiety plays a big part too. A dog whose first car rides ended in vomiting, or whose only trips are to the vet, can learn to dread the car, and that stress makes nausea more likely. VCA adds that ear infections, vestibular problems and some medicines can make nausea worse, so a dog who suddenly starts getting sick should see a vet. If you are also working out where your dog sits in the car, see our dog car seats; seating alone does not cure motion sickness.
Signs your dog is getting car sick
VCA lists whining or pacing, heavy drooling, lip licking or smacking, lethargy, and vomiting or diarrhea. The AKC adds restlessness and yawning-type signs of unease such as licking the lips. Many dogs drool and go quiet before they actually vomit, so watch for a sudden flood of saliva or a dog who stops moving and stares ahead.
If you spot those early signs, find a safe place to pull over and give your dog a short walk on a leash, which VCA says can ease the stress for a while. Some dogs start drooling or shaking before the engine even starts, which points more toward anxiety about the car than motion alone.
Practical ways to prevent car sickness
Seat your dog in the middle of the back seat so they face forward rather than watching the side windows, using a crash-tested harness attached to the seatbelt or a solid-sided crate that limits the view, as the AKC suggests. Keep the car cool and well ventilated, and lower the windows a few inches for fresh air without letting your dog put their head out.
Travel on an empty or nearly empty stomach. VCA suggests holding food for up to 8 hours before a trip if that is not stressful for your dog, while still offering water. Bring a familiar blanket or a T-shirt that smells of you, offer a special toy only in the car, and keep the radio low. Short breaks on long drives help too.
Step-by-step car conditioning
Step 1: Sit in the parked car with your dog for a few minutes a day, with treats and praise, engine off. Step 2: Once your dog is relaxed, start the engine and let it run while you play or offer treats, then turn it off and get out. Step 3: Drive to the end of the driveway and back.
Step 4: Build up to short drives around the block, then to somewhere your dog loves, such as a park, so the car predicts fun rather than the vet. Step 5: If your dog gets sick or stressed, go back a step and stay there for a few days. The AKC and VCA both stress staying calm after a setback, because scolding makes the stress worse.
What about car sickness medicine?
Several prescription options exist for dogs, and they can make a real difference for some, but choosing one is a medical decision. The right choice depends on your dog's age, weight, health, other medicines and the length of the trip, and some need to be started days or even weeks ahead, as VCA notes. Only your vet can make that call.
Do not give your dog human motion sickness tablets, antihistamines or herbal remedies on your own. The AKC advises checking with your vet before giving any medicine or herbal product, because what is safe for people can be harmful to dogs, and some common options are not suitable for puppies or dogs with certain conditions.
When to talk to your vet
Book a visit if conditioning and practical changes are not helping after a few weeks, if your dog vomits on every trip, if a dog who traveled happily starts getting sick, or if you also see head tilting, stumbling or loss of balance outside the car. Those can point to an ear or balance problem that needs a proper exam.
Plan ahead before a long road trip or move, so your vet has time to suggest options. For the drive itself, seat belts and car harnesses keep a dog secured whatever their stomach does.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Will my puppy grow out of car sickness?
Many do. VCA notes that lots of puppies outgrow motion sickness by about a year old as their balance system matures. Plenty of short, positive trips help, and some dogs need a little longer.
Can I give my dog human motion sickness pills?
Do not give any human medicine without your vet's advice. Only a vet can decide whether a medicine is appropriate for your dog, based on age, health and other drugs, and some human products are unsafe for dogs.
Should I feed my dog before a car ride?
Skip a big meal. VCA suggests holding food for up to 8 hours before travel if that does not stress your dog, while always offering water. A light stomach makes vomiting less likely.
Why does my dog drool in the car?
Heavy drooling is often the first sign of nausea, and it can also come from anxiety about the car. Pull over for a short walk, keep the car cool and work on short, happy practice rides.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
