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Questions
- Travel and Motion Sickness in Dogs
- How Long Does Motion Sickness Last in Dogs?
- Symptoms of Travel or Motion Sickness in Dogs
- Travel Sickness Tablets for Dogs
- Preventing Travel or Motion Sickness in Dogs
There is nothing quite like hitting the open road with your furry friend, whether it’s for a day trip of a family staycation. When your pup is included in your holiday plans, there is a good chance long-distance car travel is involved.
Most dogs love the excitement of a car trip however just like humans, they can experience nausea and motion sickness in the car. Dog car sickness is nothing to worry about, but it can make your pooch feel rotten, leading to unpleasant messes to clean! Discover the top vet recommended tricks to help your pup feel their best when it's travel time.
Travel and Motion Sickness in Dogs
Travel is a common cause of motion sickness in dogs and can occur in cars, buses, trains, and planes and is often caused by the movement of the vehicle. Puppies are commonly affected, but dogs of any age can suffer from travel sickness. Similarly, to us, it’s most often related to opposing sensory information that makes your dog feel dizzy and off balance. For some dogs, the excitement or anxiety associated with the car or travel can often exacerbate their symptoms.
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How Long Does Motion Sickness Last in Dogs?
In most cases, motion sickness is a mild illness that can pass quickly, but the most important thing is to note how your pup feels once the trip has ended. Car travel sickness will resolve rapidly once the car has stopped, whereas other illnesses will continue to make them feel poorly. If your furry friend is still unwell long after the travel has finished, make sure you chat with your local veterinarian.
Puppies who are affected by car travel sickness usually grow out of it by 12 months of age, though some dogs may be particularly sensitive and continue to experience motion sickness throughout their lives. Luckily there are ways you can help support your dog, so they learn to love the car.
Symptoms of Travel or Motion Sickness in Dogs
For dog owners, it can be hard to understand when their feeling the effect of travelling in the car and the symptoms of dog car sickness will vary from each dog. Clear signs to be wary of include one or more of the following;
Panting or yawning
Pacing or restlessness
Drooling
Being unusually quiet
Excessive swallowing or lip licking
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Whining or barking
Travel Sickness Tablets for Dogs
Luckily for our car-sick canines, there are travel sickness tablets available to ease their symptoms. Maropitant is a very effective and safe medication approved for use in dog motion sickness and is available by prescription from your veterinarian. If your pup persistently vomits in the car, have a chat with your vet about whether this medication may be helpful on your next holiday.
Anxiety is a complicating factor that can worsen car sickness in dogs and in these cases, treatment with anti-anxiety medications can help make your pup feel safe and comfortable. There are many ways options to help with their anxiety, including collars such as the Adaptil calming collar, natural calming sprays, or anxiety coats. In severe cases, prescription medication from your vet may be required.
Can Dogs Have Human Travel Sickness Tablets?
Some human travel sickness medications can be helpful for dogs who experience car sickness; however, these are prescribed off-label. This means they are not approved for use in dogs, and some can produce unwanted side effects such as drowsiness.
Before giving your dog any human medications it is best to check with your friendly Jollyes vet to make sure it is appropriate for your pet and won’t interact with any medications they are currently taking.
Preventing Travel or Motion Sickness in Dogs
If you have a canine that suffers from persistent travel sickness there are steps, you can take to help them feel better sooner. Training your dog to acclimate them to the car can improve their symptoms, and this is particularly helpful for dogs that experience anxiety.
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Start slowly and increase the time and difficulty over several short sessions. Make sure you reward them often with their favourite treats.
A good way to start is by sitting with your pup in the car with the engine off. Increase the difficulty by first turning on the car, next driving up and down the driveway, and then around the block. If your pup experiences motion sickness, stop and go back a step.
Despite our best efforts, some pups will continue to feel queasy when they go for a drive. Avoiding long trips is not always possible so try the following tips before setting off.
Withhold food for 3-4 hours before the car ride. An empty stomach may help with the feeling of nausea.
Give them a view. Looking out of the window helps the brain deal with conflicting sensory information that can cause motion sickness.
Stop regularly. Having a break from the car for a walk, a wee, and a sniff can help your dog feel better.
Keep them restrained. This can help if your dog is anxious and paces in the backseat and provides a level of safety during car travel.
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Holidays are not the same without our furry family members however some dogs can experience motion sickness when traveling in the car. Dog car sickness is not an emergency but can make our dogs feel miserable. Luckily, you can take steps to help your friend feel better, including training and talking to your veterinarian about medications.
Check out more of our handy guides on how to care for your precious pup and stock up on all the dog necessities you need for your holiday and daily care, in-store and online.