Last updated on October 12th, 2026 at 10:49 am
Dog Motion Sickness: How to Help Your Dog Enjoy Car Rides
Does your dog drool, whine, pace, or vomit when riding in the car? Your dog may be experiencing motion sickness.
Dog motion sickness is especially common in puppies and young dogs. Some dogs improve as they mature, while others continue to have problems because they also become anxious about riding in the car.
The good news is that there are several things you can do to make car rides easier for your dog.
What Causes Motion Sickness in Dogs?
Motion sickness happens when the brain receives conflicting information about movement from the inner ear, eyes, and body. This can cause nausea and vomiting.
Puppies can be particularly susceptible because the parts of the inner ear involved in balance are still developing. Many young dogs gradually outgrow motion sickness as they mature.
There can also be a behavioral component.
If a puppy repeatedly becomes sick during car rides, the puppy may begin to associate the car with feeling sick. Eventually, simply getting into the car can cause anxiety, even before the vehicle starts moving.
That means some dogs have both motion sickness and car-related anxiety.
Signs of Motion Sickness in Dogs
Vomiting is probably the most obvious sign, but it isn't the only one.
Watch for:
- Excessive drooling
- Lip licking or repeated swallowing
- Yawning
- Whining
- Panting
- Pacing or restlessness
- An inability to settle
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Occasionally, diarrhea
Some dogs show signs of nausea before they ever vomit. Recognizing those early signs can give you an opportunity to stop the car and help your dog before the problem becomes worse.
How to Prevent Dog Motion Sickness
The best approach is usually a combination of gradual car training, comfortable travel conditions, and appropriate veterinary care when necessary.
1. Start With Very Short Car Rides
Don't make your puppy's first car experience a two-hour trip.
Start with the puppy simply spending a few minutes in the parked car. Give praise and an appropriate reward for calm behavior.
Once your puppy is comfortable, take a very short drive.
Gradually increase the length of the trips as your puppy becomes more comfortable.
The goal is to teach your dog:
Car rides are normal, safe, and sometimes fun.
2. Make Some Trips Fun
If the only time your puppy rides in the car is to go to the veterinarian, the puppy may quickly learn that getting into the car predicts something unpleasant.
Take short trips to places your dog enjoys when appropriate.
A short drive followed by a walk or another positive experience can help create a better association with the car.
3. Keep Your Dog Properly Restrained
Your dog should be safely secured during car travel.
Depending on your vehicle and your dog's size, this might mean an appropriately designed travel crate or a crash-tested harness and restraint system.
Do not allow your dog to ride on your lap or roam freely around the vehicle.
Dogs should also not ride in the front passenger seat when an airbag is present. Never allow a dog to hang its head out of the car window.
Some puppies feel more secure traveling in a properly sized crate, particularly when they have already learned that their crate is a safe and comfortable place. If your puppy is still getting used to the crate, our guide to [helping a puppy stop whining in the crate](opens in new tab) may be helpful.
Proper restraint protects your dog and can also reduce unnecessary movement during the ride.
4. Keep the Car Comfortable
A hot, stuffy vehicle can make an already nauseated dog feel worse.
Try to keep the vehicle comfortably cool and well ventilated.
Keep the noise level reasonable and avoid sudden changes in temperature.
A familiar blanket or other safe comfort item may also help your dog settle.
5. Be Careful About Meals Before Travel
A large meal immediately before a car ride can make vomiting more likely.
Ask your veterinarian what feeding schedule is appropriate for your particular dog, especially if you have a young puppy or a dog with another medical condition.
Don't assume that prolonged fasting is appropriate for every dog.
For longer trips, plan appropriate opportunities for water, bathroom breaks, and exercise.
What If Your Dog Is Already Afraid of the Car?
If your dog becomes anxious as soon as you approach the vehicle, don't immediately start taking longer trips.
Go back a step.
Try sitting with your dog in the parked vehicle without going anywhere. Reward calm behavior.
Then try starting the engine without driving.
When your dog can remain relaxed, take a very short drive.
This gradual process is often called desensitization or counter-conditioning. The idea is to change your dog's emotional response to the car rather than forcing the dog to tolerate increasingly long rides.
If your dog is extremely anxious, your veterinarian or a qualified behavior professional can help you develop a more appropriate plan.
What About Motion Sickness Medicine for Dogs?
Medication can be very helpful for some dogs, particularly when behavioral training alone isn't enough.
Your veterinarian can determine whether medication is appropriate and which option is safest for your dog.
One medication commonly used for motion sickness in dogs is maropitant (Cerenia). Veterinary references identify maropitant as an effective treatment for preventing motion sickness in dogs.
Other medications may sometimes be used, but the appropriate medication and dosage depend on the individual dog.
Don't give your dog human motion-sickness medication without first talking with your veterinarian.
This is particularly important for puppies, dogs taking other medications, and dogs with underlying health problems.
Medication can address nausea and vomiting, but it doesn't necessarily eliminate fear or anxiety associated with riding in the car. A dog that is both motion sick and anxious may need a combination of approaches.
Can Puppies Outgrow Car Sickness?
Yes, many puppies improve as they mature.
Young dogs are more susceptible to motion sickness, and some eventually stop becoming carsick as their balance system matures. However, repeatedly becoming sick during car rides can also create a negative association with traveling.
That's why it's worth working on comfortable, positive car experiences rather than simply waiting for the problem to disappear.
What Should I Do If My Dog Gets Sick During a Trip?
If your dog begins showing signs of nausea:
- Safely pull over when possible.
- Give your dog a chance to settle.
- Provide an opportunity to get out, stretch, and relieve itself when it is safe.
- Clean up any vomit so your dog isn't surrounded by the smell during the remainder of the trip.
- Consider shortening the trip if your dog continues to feel sick.
Never put yourself or your dog in danger by stopping somewhere unsafe.
For longer journeys, plan regular breaks. The AVMA recommends stopping approximately every two hours on long car trips so dogs can exercise and relieve themselves.
When Should You Talk to Your Veterinarian?
Talk to your veterinarian if:
- Your dog frequently vomits during car rides.
- Motion sickness is severe.
- Your dog remains sick long after the car ride ends.
- Your dog becomes extremely anxious about traveling.
- Motion sickness suddenly develops in a dog that previously traveled normally.
- Your dog shows other signs of illness.
- You are considering medication for travel.
Not every episode of vomiting during a car ride is necessarily simple motion sickness. Your veterinarian can help determine whether another medical problem could be contributing to the symptoms.
Helping Your Labrador Puppy Become a Good Traveler
If you have a Labrador puppy, car training is a useful part of your puppy's early socialization and everyday training.
Start small.
A few calm minutes in the car can be more productive than one long, unpleasant trip.
Car training is just one part of helping a new Labrador puppy become comfortable with the world around them. If you're preparing for a new puppy, our guide to [getting a Labrador puppy](opens in new tab) covers some of the other things to consider before bringing your puppy home.
Reward your puppy for relaxing. Keep the vehicle comfortable. Use an appropriate restraint. Gradually increase the length of your trips.
Gradually exposing a puppy to new environments, sounds, people, and experiences is an important part of early socialization. Car rides can be one small part of those positive experiences. Learn more about [the importance of proper dog socialization](opens in new tab).
And remember that every puppy is different. One Labrador may happily jump into the car from the first day, while another may need considerably more time to become comfortable.
The goal isn't simply to prevent vomiting.
Car rides are also a good opportunity to reinforce basic obedience. A reliable recall is especially important when you're traveling with a dog, since you may encounter unfamiliar places and situations. If your Labrador puppy is still learning this skill, see our guide on [how to teach a Labrador Retriever to come(opens in new tab)].
The goal is to teach your puppy that riding in the car is a safe and normal part of life.
Final Thoughts
Dog motion sickness can make traveling stressful, but it doesn't have to mean that your dog can never enjoy car rides.
Start with short, positive trips and gradually build your dog's confidence. Pay attention to early signs of nausea, keep your dog safely restrained, and talk with your veterinarian if motion sickness is severe or persistent.
With patience and the right approach, many dogs can become much more comfortable traveling by car.
