Why Do Dogs Get Car Sick?
Car sickness — or travel-induced nausea — is one of the most common complaints among dog owners. It can make routine trips to the park or vet a stressful experience, and in severe cases it puts owners off Travelling with Your Cat in Europe: What You Actually Need">Travelling with Your Cat in Europe: What You Actually Need">travelling with their dog altogether. Understanding why it happens is the first step towards solving it.
Dog car sickness has two main causes that often overlap: a physical vestibular component and an anxiety-driven component.
Signs of Car Sickness in Dogs
Car sickness in dogs does not always result in vomiting. Watch for these signs during or shortly before a car journey:
- Excessive drooling or salivation
- Repeated yawning — a stress signal in dogs
- Lip licking or repeated swallowing
- Whining, barking, or restless pacing
- Vomiting or retching
- Lethargy or appearing "glassy-eyed"
- Reluctance to enter the car
If your dog consistently displays several of these signs during car travel, speak to your vet.
Causes: Vestibular Immaturity and Anxiety
Vestibular Immaturity in Puppies
The vestibular system — the balance mechanism of the inner ear — is not fully developed in young puppies. This means the sensory signals sent during a moving car journey are processed less efficiently, making puppies far more prone to nausea than adult dogs. The encouraging news is that many puppies simply grow out of car sickness as their vestibular system matures. Gentle, positive early experiences in the car are therefore crucial — a puppy that has distressing car journeys may develop an anxiety association that persists long after the physical cause has resolved.
The Anxiety Component
Even in adult dogs with a fully developed vestibular system, anxiety can cause or worsen car sickness. The anticipation of a stressful experience — whether confinement, the motion itself, or the destination — triggers a stress response that affects the gastrointestinal system. Dogs that only travel to the vet often develop a strong negative association with car journeys that produces nausea independently of any physical cause.
Positioning and Confinement
Dogs that face sideways or backwards, or that are confined in a small crate in the boot, may experience stronger motion sickness than dogs travelling in a more comfortable, forward-facing position. Poor ventilation and heat also worsen nausea significantly.
Prevention Strategies
Gradual Desensitisation
For puppies and dogs with anxiety-related car sickness, a gradual desensitisation programme is the most effective long-term solution. Begin by simply sitting in a stationary car with your dog for a few minutes, offering treats and praise. Progress to short trips of a few minutes, then gradually increase the duration over days and weeks. Always end journeys somewhere pleasant — a favourite walk, not just the vet.
Do Not Feed Before Travel
Withhold food for two to three hours before a journey. Travelling on an empty stomach significantly reduces the risk and severity of vomiting. Fresh water should be available at rest stops and on arrival.
Fresh Air and Temperature
Keep the car cool and well-ventilated. Crack windows slightly to allow a flow of fresh air. Avoid strong air fresheners or other overpowering scents inside the vehicle.
Secure Positioning
Under EU road safety regulations and UK law, dogs must be suitably restrained in vehicles. This is not only a legal requirement but also helps reduce motion sickness — a secured dog moves less and experiences less vestibular disruption. Options include crash-tested harnesses attached to seatbelts, travel crates secured in the boot, or car-specific dog barriers. Zooplus stocks a broad range of dog travel harnesses, crates, and boot guards. Look for harnesses that have been safety-tested to relevant crash standards.
Position your dog facing forward where possible, and ensure there is sufficient space to lie down comfortably.
Ginger as a Natural Remedy
Ginger has a well-established history as a natural anti-nausea remedy and is generally safe for dogs in small amounts. You can offer a small piece of plain ginger biscuit or a quarter teaspoon of fresh ginger mixed into food approximately 30 minutes before travel. Do not use ginger products containing xylitol, chocolate, or other ingredients that are toxic to dogs. While ginger is not a substitute for veterinary treatment in severe cases, some owners find it helpful for mild car sickness. Always check with your vet before introducing any supplement.
Adaptil On-the-Go Spray
For dogs whose car sickness has a strong anxiety component, Adaptil On-the-Go spray — a synthetic dog appeasing pheromone — can help reduce travel anxiety when sprayed on the car's upholstery or your dog's blanket approximately 15 minutes before travel. Adaptil products are available from Zooplus and from veterinary practices. The BSAVA supports pheromone products as part of a multimodal approach to canine anxiety.
Veterinary Treatment
If preventive strategies are insufficient, your vet can prescribe anti-nausea medication. Maropitant (Cerenia) is a highly effective, licensed veterinary drug that prevents vomiting caused by motion sickness. It is given as a tablet before travel and is well tolerated by most dogs. Your vet may also discuss other options depending on your dog's individual situation.
Never administer human anti-nausea or travel sickness medication to your dog without veterinary guidance — some human medications are toxic to dogs.
When to See a Vet
Contact your vet if your dog vomits on every journey, if car sickness is worsening rather than improving, or if you have a long journey planned and want to ensure your dog is comfortable. The Blue Cross and PDSA can provide advice and support for owners who need guidance on their dog's health and welfare. Save the number of your nearest emergency vet in case your dog becomes seriously unwell during travel.
With consistency, positive reinforcement, and the right support, most dogs with car sickness improve significantly over time. Start early, be patient, and make every journey as pleasant as possible.