Dogs and Carsickness

Motion sickness can be seen when traveling by land, sea, or air. It can result in nausea, excessive drooling, and vomiting. These signs usually go away when the motion of the vehicle stops. The principal cause of motion sickness is stimulation of the sensory organ in the inner ear.

In some cases, it helps to condition the animal to travel, perhaps by taking them on frequent short trips. There are drug treatments that can help prevent the sickness, provide sedation, and decrease drooling. There are over-the-counter, natural remedies. Medications from your local veterinarian can include tranquilizers, sedatives, or products to decrease nausea and/or vomiting. Always check with a local veterinarian before giving pets anything to help with motion sickness, and to make sure that there is not another health issue causing problems.

These strategies might help:

• Put smaller dogs in an elevated pet travel booster seat.
• Have the pets travel on an empty stomach.
• Give just a little bit of water prior to traveling, so the pet stays hydrated.
• Rolling down the windows just a little to get fresh and circulated air often helps.
• Make frequent stops to give the pet regular breaks.

Sources:

Motion Sickness in Dogs. Available from: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders-of-dogs/motion-sickness-in-dogs

Preventing and Treating Car Sickness in Dogs. Available from: https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/preventing-and-treating-car-sickness-in-dogs

Dog Car Sickness: Natural Remedies, Nausea Medicine & More Tips. Available from: https://www.caninejournal.com/dog-car-sickness/