Car Sick Puppy or Dog? There is hope!

Helping a puppy or dog with car sickness can be a bit tricky, but there are several things you can do to make the experience easier for them:

Take Short Trips:

Start with short, calm trips to help your dog get used to the motion of the car. Gradually increase the length of the trips as they get more comfortable.

NOTE:  If your dog is REALLY having trouble, some of the car sickness is coming from anxiety, not just nausea.  (If, every time you travelled, you barfed – you’d start to be anxious to even be in the car, right?  This starts a vicious cycle.)  This may mean desensitizing the puppy to the car:

4 x a day:  Put the dog in the car for about 3 to 5 minutes at a time, and DON’T drive anywhere.  Just put the pup in the car (crated, seat-belted in, however your normal trips would be), and you get in as if driving, sit there for your 3 to 5 minutes, then get out, and get the pup out and go back inside.  Repeat 4 times a day, for 4 days.

Days 5 – 8: VERY gradually add in begin the process of ‘going somewhere’ – even if that is just backing out of the driveway, sitting for a bit, driving back into the driveway, and getting out of the car.  Again, 4 x a day, for 4 days.

Days 9 – 12:  Add in short drives – with as few turns/curves as possible – about 5 to 10 minutes of driving maximum.  The idea is to take trips that are short enough that the puppy does NOT vomit.  Repeat 2 to 4 x a day, for 4 days.

Day 12 & beyond – gradually increase drive time, and follow the tips below for more help.

Use a Crate or Carrier:

Some dogs feel more secure in a crate or carrier during car rides. It can help them stay stable and reduce the feeling of motion. 

If possible, turn the crate FORWARD/Lengthwise with the car - not sideways - in your car; so the dog is not ‘riding sideways’.

Limit Food Before the Ride:

Avoid feeding your puppy or dog a large meal right before the car ride. It’s best to feed them at least 2-3 hours before travel to help prevent nausea.

Ventilation:

Make sure the car is well-ventilated and not too hot. Fresh air can help with nausea, so consider rolling down the windows or using the air conditioning.

Calming/Anti-Nausea Products:

There are calming sprays, diffusers, or even natural remedies like ginger or peppermint that can help soothe your dog’s stomach.

The trainers at Front Range K9 Academy have seen AMAZING success with the Bach Flower Remedy “Scleranthus” – given 30 minutes before the car ride.

Stop and Let Them Rest:

On longer trips, stop every 30-60 minutes to let your puppy or dog stretch and get some fresh air.

Ginger or Peppermint:

Ginger is known to help with nausea in dogs – a small bite of a ginger snap cookie about 15 to 20 minutes before a car ride can sometimes help. Peppermint tea can also help with nausea.

Talk to Your Vet:

If all of the above doesn’t help and your dog’s car sickness is severe or persistent, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet. They might recommend medications like Cerenia, or other solutions to help manage the car sickness.

Last, but not least - car sickness often improves as young puppies get older and more accustomed to car rides (IF you’ve been practicing the step above), so with a little patience, your puppy may grow out of it!

Jennifer Hime is the Owner and Training Director of Front Range K9 Academy, serving Denver, Golden, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Fort Collins, Loveland, and Berthoud.