Can dogs suffer from car sickness...Whats the cure?

Answer 1

Yes they can. Like people, they eventually get used to it. You can also get some medication from the vet.

Answer 2

Dogs who become car sick must be exposed SLOWLY to riding in the car. Each step should take a week, and if the dog gets sick on a step, you need to back off to the previous step until he doesn't get sick.

Put the dog in the car. Have a toy to keep the dog's mind off the car, but don't let him get too rowdy.
Dog in the car, car started and running in driveway.
Dog in the car, car started. Back down the driveway and then move back up the driveway (IF the dog hasn't gotten sick on the way down!)
Dog in the car, take car around the block (shorten the trip for a week if even that is too much)
Dog in the car, take car to local convenience store and back home (or any place close but farther than around the block with a couple of starts and stops along the way).
Dog in the car, short trip (you decide the length based on how your dog is responding.
Dogs who get car sick will especially benefit from either a crate (especially the more enclosed plastic crates) or a seatbelt (check your local pet shop for dog seat belts). These will limit unsteady movements. Keep in mind, dogs don't always vomit when they are car sick. Some may just drool excessively or look wet around the mouth and may have a sick or queasy look in their eyes. Watch your dog for signs of car sickness and work with the steps above to make both of you feel better!

You could also try giving your dog Dramamine and do not feed for at least a couple of hours before taking the dog for a ride.

Answer 3

You have had quite a few answers on this. Most of them sensible!
I start my pups by just putting them in the back of my Estate car with the door open whilst I am working in the garden or something like that. They like to be with me and the car is not in motion. Then very short trips to the fields so that the fields become the pleasure that overtakes all else. It is so easy to do these things if you put a little time in on them.
One of the things to make a dog sick and agitated is bad association. By that I mean that sometimes the only time a young dog goes into the car is when it is being taken for it's jabs at the Vet. Which would you prefer...fields or vet....
One of your writers said to let the dog stick it's head out of the window. Bad practice I am afraid! Dogs very easily get conjunctivitis through doing that.

Answer 4

Here's another idea:

Car sickness (in dogs and humans) is caused by the discrepancy between what the eyes see and what the body feels. In other words, you see the inside of the car that isn't moving, but your body feels the motion. Best remedy: Look outside, so you can SEE that the car is moving. Have you noticed that the driver never gets sick? That's because they are always looking outside.

Have you ever noticed that most kids outgrow carsickness as if by magic? That is because they literally outgrow it. As soon as they grow tall enough to see outside, they're "cured."

My guess is that keeping the window open for the dog doesn't help because of the wind or the air, but because the dog is looking out the window!

So, try to find a spot for your dog in the car where he can see outside. That should help. If it doesn't, then you will probably want to get medication, especially if you travel often.

Answer 5

Yes, dogs can suffer from car sickness. We had a dog that would get sick in the car every time. We learned that if you don't let the dog eat for at least two hrs. prior to the ride it decreases the chances of the dog getting sick. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

My little dog suffers terrible car sickness, I asked the vet who suggested I use human travel pills. I have a small dog and I find for shorter tips I put her in a carry basket and stop her seeing the world racing past. This helps, but only for a short time. Longer trips, I use car sick pills. Ask your vet for the amount to use for the size of your dog. Remember it is generally not OK to give a dog human medication. I did this only after advice from the vet. Also this medication makes them groggy and they will go to sleep, so dont let them drive lol. But be prepared to carry them if you give them this medication.

Answer 7

yes dogs can suffer from car sickness, and the way i recommen to fix the problem is to take the dog on short drives in the car you know about 5-10 min. long to get them used to riding. I would also watch the dogs diet and not let him eat alot before he goes for a ride.

Answer 8

Yes my Golden Retriever used to get car sick as a puppy all the time, Try doing regular short trips in the car with someone else driving and you with the dog giving it cuddles and reassurance and you should get there. Good Luck

Answer 9

you can get something from your vet. You can help it by taking very small trips in the car like out of the drive way and back in. and each day go a little farther. Do not feed or water the dog before you put it in the car.

Answer 10

Yes dogs can suffer from car sickness.My own dog used to suffer with it when he was younger.We bought some herbal sickness pills which we gave him 30mins before a journey and he's been fine ever sinse,we now don't have to use the pills.

Answer 11

They sure can. My dog vomits if he is in a car for more than about 15 minutes.
For long car trips my vet prescribed sedatives that calmed him down, but didn't put him to sleep (it helped, but I still cleaned up some vomit).
For short trips, I find it is better for him to ride in the front seat with the window partially down. Maybe there is less jiggling in the front seat.
I'll be reading your other answers to see if someone has better ideas.
Good luck, it's no fun.