It's a beautiful sunny day, you've packed the car and you're heading off for an outing with your dog. Suddenly, Fido starts drooling, panting and looking uncomfortable. Before you have time to pull over, he's deposited his breakfast all over your back seat!
Sound familiar?
Unfortunately, car sickness and travel anxiety are common problems for dogs, turning even a short trip into an unpleasant experience.
So how can we make travel more comfortable for our precious pooches?
Understanding what's causing their discomfort, introducing positive travel experiences and considering appropriate natural support can all help.
Is Your Dog Car Sick? Or Anxious?
Although they're often discussed together, car sickness and travel anxiety aren't quite the same thing.
Car sickness is a form of motion sickness. It happens when the movement of a vehicle affects the balance system, and the brain receives mixed signals from the eyes and inner ear. This can cause nausea and vomiting.
Travel anxiety is an emotional response to travelling. It can develop because of unfamiliar noises, movement, confinement, previous unpleasant experiences or associations with particular destinations.
The two can also occur together.
For example, a dog that repeatedly experiences nausea and vomiting during car journeys may eventually become anxious as soon as they see the car or hear the engine start.
This creates a cycle where anxiety and physical discomfort reinforce each other.
Signs Your Dog is Car Sick or Anxious
Not every dog will show the same signs of discomfort. Some display obvious physical symptoms, while others become unusually quiet or withdrawn.
Watch for:
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Excessive drooling or salivation.
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Panting when it isn't hot.
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Lip licking and repeated swallowing.
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Yawning or restlessness.
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Trembling or shaking.
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Whining, barking, or howling.
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Pacing or repeatedly changing positions.
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Scratching at the crate or trying to escape.
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Refusing treats or food.
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Urinating or soiling.
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Vomiting or diarrhoea.
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Hiding, freezing or becoming unusually withdrawn.
Recognising these early signs gives you an opportunity to make adjustments before your dog becomes overwhelmed.
Why Do Dogs Get Car Sick?
1. An Underdeveloped Balance System
Motion sickness is particularly common in puppies and young dogs. That's because the structures involved in balance are still developing in puppies, which can make them more prone to motion-related nausea.
If early car journeys have involved nausea or vomiting, your puppy may also develop a negative association with travelling.
Many puppies become more comfortable with travel as they mature, but this isn't always the case.
2. Previous Negative Experiences
Animals learn through association.
If every car journey ends with a stressful destination, such as the vet, a grooming appointment or a boarding facility for example, your dog is likely associating the car with something they don't enjoy.
Even the sound of the engine starting, the opening of the car door can trigger anxiety.
3. Unfamiliar Sounds, Movement and Smells
Cars expose dogs to a whole world of unfamiliar sounds, smells and sensations. Engine noises, road vibrations, traffic, horns, changing scenery and the movement of other vehicles can all contribute to discomfort.
Some dogs are particularly sensitive to certain sounds or fast-moving scenery.
4. Confinement and Lack of Familiarity
An unfamiliar crate or restraint can feel stressful, particularly if your dog hasn’t had a chance to get comfortable with it first.
If a certain harness or crate only comes out for unpleasant trips, it can quickly become something your dog learns to avoid.
5. Separation and Environmental Changes
Some dogs become unsettled when separated from familiar surroundings or people.
This can be particularly noticeable during longer journeys, holidays, relocations or trips involving unfamiliar accommodation.
How to Get Your Dog Used to the Car
Rather than waiting until the day of a long journey, introduce the car and travel equipment gradually. The earlier you can do this, the better.
1. Make the Car a Positive Place
Start with the car parked and switched off. Allow your dog to explore at their own pace. Hop in and hop out, sit with them, offer praise and introduce a favourite toy or a few small treats.
Keep these sessions short and positive. If your dog appears uncomfortable, don't force them to stay.
Once they're happy spending time in the stationary car, gradually introduce:
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Sitting inside with the doors closed.
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Hearing the engine start.
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Sitting in the car while the engine is running.
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Very short journeys around the block.
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Gradually increasing the length of each journey.
Reward relaxed behaviour and progress at your pet's pace.
For particularly anxious animals, this process may take several weeks. The goal is to build positive associations rather than rush the process.
2. Make the Travel Crate a Safe Space
Leave the crate somewhere accessible at home rather than only bringing it out when you travel.
Make it inviting with familiar bedding, a favourite blanket, toys, occasional treats and comfortable resting areas.
Once your dog is happy with the crate at home, you can begin introducing it to the car.
3. Create a Comfortable Travel Environment
Think about what will make your dog feel secure during the journey.
Some prefer being able to see their surroundings, while others settle better in a more enclosed space.
You can experiment with:
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Familiar bedding or blankets.
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A favourite toy.
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A securely positioned crate.
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Soft background music.
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A calm, quiet environment.
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Gentle driving without sudden braking or acceleration.
Fresh air and a comfortable temperature are also important.
Keep your dog out of the front passenger footwell and away from active airbags. Use a properly fitted car harness or a secured crate so they're not travelling loose in the vehicle.
4. Keep Journeys Positive
If you can, make your early car journeys lead somewhere enjoyable, rather than stressful, like the vet or groomer.
Try a short drive to a favourite walking spot or somewhere your dog enjoys exploring. This helps your dog develop more positive associations with the car.
Road Trip Tips for Travelling with Dogs
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Skip big meals immediately before travelling. A full stomach A full stomach can make nausea worse, but don’t go too long without feeding either, especially with puppies, older dogs or dogs with health concerns. Follow any feeding directions on the product you’re using.
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Plan regular breaks. Dogs benefit from opportunities to stretch their legs, explore and go to the toilet. Make sure to offer your dog a drink at every stop.
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Keep the car cool and keep noise levels down (animals have much more sensitive hearing than us).
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Bring familiar items. Their usual blanket, bedding or favourite toy can provide a reassuring smell.
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Secure their travel equipment. Make sure crates can't slide or move around during the journey.
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Never leave your pet unattended in a parked car. Temperatures can rise rapidly, even on relatively mild days.
Natural Support for Car Sickness and Travel Anxiety
Alongside training and good preparation, many owners add natural support to their dog’s travel routine.
Greenpet Herbal Calm Dog
A herbal liquid formulated by our animal naturopath to support emotional wellbeing, relaxation and a balanced temperament in dogs. It contains:
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Valerian
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Chamomile
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Oats
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Skullcap
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Passionflower
It can be considered as part of your dog's regular wellbeing routine, including when preparing for changes in their environment and travel.
HomeoPet Travel Anxiety
A liquid homeopathic formula specifically developed for travel-related discomfort. It contains a combination of homeopathic ingredients, including Cocculus, Passiflora and Valeriana.
Natural Animal Solutions TravelEze
A herbal liquid formula containing ginger, withania and chamomile. Alcohol-free and non-drowsy, it can be mixed with food or diluted with water.
Natural Animal Solutions Calm Tablets
A convenient supplement with natural ingredients to support normal nervous system function and overall wellbeing. Suitable for dogs, cats and small animals, according to the product information.
PetArk Calm – Dogs Only
A nutritional supplement for dogs containing nutrients involved in normal muscle and nerve function. It may be worth considering as part of a broader nutritional routine for dogs experiencing stressful situations.
Petz Park Stress + Anxiety
Petz Park offers separate formulations for dogs and cats.
Both are powdered supplements designed for convenient daily use. Choose the formulation appropriate for your animal and follow the product directions.
Can Acupressure Help with Car Sickness?
Acupressure is a traditional approach some owners use to support dogs through car sickness.
It involves applying gentle pressure to specific points on the body. One point often used for nausea is Pericardium 6 (P6), on the inside of the front leg, just above the wrist.
If you’d like to try it, learn from someone experienced in animal acupressure first. The wrong pressure can unsettle a dog who’s already anxious.
Dogs in the Car: Final Thoughts
Car sickness and travel anxiety don’t have to mean giving up adventures with your dog.
Remember, every dog is different. Some will happily jump into the car, while others need a little more patience and encouragement.
Start slowly, make the experience positive and give your dog time to build confidence.
With gradual exposure, positive associations, a comfortable travel environment and the right natural support, you may soon find that your four-legged travel companion is looking forward to the journey as much as the destination!
If you're unsure which option is most appropriate, or want more personalised advise, you can Ask our Naturopath for guidance.