Motion sickness in dogs

Motion sickness in dogs is a very common problem: approximately one in five dogs suffers from it. When a dog has motion sickness, they become nauseous in the car and may start drooling or even vomit. This is, of course, no fun at all for either the dog or their owner! In this blog, we take a closer look at the causes of motion sickness in dogs and give you 10 tips to reduce or even solve your dog’s motion sickness.

What causes motion sickness in dogs?

Just as in humans, motion sickness in dogs is related to the balance organ. Motion sickness is more common in younger dogs than in adult dogs. One possible cause of motion sickness in young dogs is that their balance organ has not yet fully developed. For puppies and young dogs, travelling by car is also still unfamiliar: the strange and unexpected movements, stress and excitement can cause nausea. Fortunately, most young dogs naturally grow out of their motion sickness as they get used to travelling by car, but some dogs (like some people) unfortunately continue to suffer from nausea as a result of motion sickness.

How can I tell if my dog suffers from motion sickness?

Symptoms of dogs feeling nauseous as a result of motion sickness include:

• Whining or whimpering
• Panting
• Shaking
• Pacing or restlessness
• Excessive drooling
• Smacking or licking their lips
• Gagging or vomiting
• Diarrhoea

How can I prevent motion sickness in my dog?

A dog with motion sickness experiences a lot of stress during car journeys, which often causes them to associate travelling by car with an unpleasant experience. You can imagine that this will only get worse if nothing is done about it. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce motion sickness in dogs and, in most cases, even solve it. Below, we give you 10 tips:


Tip 1: Practice makes perfect, but start small
The solution to motion sickness in dogs is simply training. However, start calmly and gradually build up the training sessions. For example, begin by putting the dog in the car, starting the engine and sitting there for a few minutes. When this goes well, repeat the process at a later time and take it one step further by, for example, driving down and back up the driveway. In the meantime, of course, reward the dog enthusiastically with healthy training treats for good behaviour. The next step could be to drive around the block, gradually increasing the travel time.


Tip 2: Start young
Preferably start practising travelling by car when the dog is as young as possible. The earlier you start training, the more easily the dog will get used to travelling by car.


Tip 3: Make sure your dog feels comfortable in the car
It is important to teach your dog that the car is a safe place for them. Therefore, preferably let them get into the car by themselves and do not force anything if they refuse to enter the car. A special travel carrier for the car, a safety harness or a crate (provided the dog is used to it) can help them feel more comfortable in the car. Some dogs experience more severe motion sickness when they are transported in the car’s trunk. In that case, a solution could be to transport the dog on the back seat or in the front of the car (note: of course, only do this in a safe and legally permitted way).


Tip 4: Do not feed a dog with motion sickness before a car journey
It is advisable not to feed a dog with motion sickness immediately before a car journey. An emptier stomach reduces nausea and prevents you from having to clean up vomit. Therefore, take the dog’s food with you and give it to them at your destination. Make sure the dog continues to drink enough water.


Tip 5: Keep the car cool
Make sure it does not get too warm for the dog in the car. Therefore, always leave a window slightly open or turn on the air conditioning for some fresh air.