Motion sickness in dogs: what really helps

Dog feeling sick in the car? Here's what you can do

Summer means travel season. So your four-legged friend can come along on holiday, you take the car. Beforehand, you do a shorter test drive. And then this happens: your dog sits in the car and, as soon as you start driving, becomes restless, pants, drools or whines. Your dog may be suffering from motion sickness, also known as kinetosis.

You are not alone with this problem. Motion sickness during car journeys is common in dogs. In some dogs, it can escalate to vomiting. Others mainly show stress behaviour or refuse food.

Why do dogs get travel sick?

Travel sickness occurs when your dog's sensory impressions during the journey do not match up well. The vestibular system in the inner ear registers bends, braking and swaying, while the eyes and body perceive this movement differently. This sensory mismatch can trigger nausea, dizziness and vomiting.

Puppies are particularly often affected because their balance system is not yet fully developed.

The emotional side also plays a major role:

• The swaying and humming of the car is unfamiliar
• Negative experiences, for example when car rides often mean vet visits
• General stress or fear

You should never simply accept the symptoms. A dog that has already struggled with nausea in the car will develop more and more fear of car journeys.

Symptoms of motion sickness in dogs

The signs often appear gradually and become stronger during the journey. Typical symptoms include:

• Restlessness or heavy panting
• Whining or howling
• Excessive drooling
• Frequent swallowing or lip licking
• Tiredness or withdrawal
• Vomiting
• In rare cases, passing stool or urine, or diarrhoea

Not every dog shows all symptoms. Some dogs vomit suddenly without any warning signs.

Motion sickness in dogs: home remedies

If your dog suffers from motion sickness during car rides, there are several measures that can help relieve discomfort.

1. The right time to feed

One very important point: ideally, feed your dog 3–4 hours before the journey, but not shortly before departure.

A stomach that is not too full can help reduce nausea. Your dog does not necessarily need to travel completely fasted every time either – it is worth observing what works best for them individually.

2. Light, easily digestible meals

Before travelling, you should pay attention to particularly easy-to-digest food. Choose well-tolerated ingredients, avoid fatty meals and stick to familiar food. An adapted diet helps take the strain off the stomach.

3. Prevent motion sickness in dogs with ginger

Ginger is a well-known home remedy for motion sickness. Ginger has a soothing effect on the stomach and can naturally reduce nausea. To allow it to take effect in the gastrointestinal tract, give ginger about 30 minutes before travel begins.

Important: start with small amounts and watch whether your dog tolerates it well.

4. Water, but in the right way

Your dog should always have access to fresh water. Especially on longer journeys, you should offer small amounts of water regularly and let your dog drink during breaks.

5. Supplements & support

In addition to ginger, there are other ways to help your dog relax: calming snacks can support more calmness, for example our relax biscuits with lavender. Calming supplements with casein protein derivatives or L-theanine, as well as pheromone sprays, may also be helpful.

6. Breaks, breaks, breaks!

Before the journey, your dog should have had the chance to relieve themselves, meaning they should have passed urine and stool. And of course, your four-legged friend needs sufficient breaks on longer trips: to get fresh air, relieve themselves and stretch their legs.

So the rule is: first improve prevention, then add targeted support if needed.

Motion sickness: how to get your dog used to car rides

The most important key to reducing motion sickness is training. Many dogs become travel sick not only physically, but also emotionally. As a dog owner, you can do a lot to prevent fear of car rides from developing in the first place.

Here is how to proceed step by step:

• Sit in the parked car
• Start the engine without driving
• Drive short distances
• Gradually extend the drives

Getting into the car and staying calm? You can practise this together. Always create positive associations with travelling in the car. For example, give your dog a particularly interesting toy or a chew while the car is still parked. The first short drives, and later longer ones, should always end with a highlight for your dog, such as a walk by a lake or a visit to a dog meadow.

Only move on to the next step once your dog can handle the previous one calmly. Your patience will pay off in the end.

A sick-feeling dog means driving mindfully

You have trained, fed an easily digestible meal in good time before the journey, and now you are ready to go. A few practical tips can make a big difference during the drive:

• Calm driving with little braking and acceleration
• A pleasant, rather cool temperature in the car
• A quiet environment
• A safe place, for example a transport crate or safety harness
• A familiar blanket or your scent

Many dogs relax more easily when they have a fixed, protected place. The best way to find out which place works is together with your dog. One dog may need a crate, ideally darkened with blankets, while another prefers sitting secured in a dog basket with a view of their person.

Conclusion: address motion sickness in dogs holistically

Motion sickness is unpleasant for dogs. In most cases, travel sickness can be managed well. The key to relaxed journeys lies in the combination of habituation through training, a low-stress environment and suitable nutrition. With a little patience, car stress can often become what it should be again: shared time for small and big adventures.

Would you like to learn more about dog health? In Vets answer you will find more articles from our veterinarians.