There are two reasons why your dog may get travel sick. It may be, as many of us, that the vehicle’s motion makes them feel a bit woozy. In humans, motion sickness can be caused by going over bumps when travelling in a car, with the inner ear sending different signals to your brain from what your eyes are seeing. These mixed messages are what make you feel unwell and a bit queasy.
We can only assume that this would be the same for dogs when they get motion sickness. However, if a dog doesn’t like travelling in a car, they may also get anxiety, resulting in the same thing, and poor pup’s breakfast being on your seats.
How to spot motion sickness in dogs
Dogs give minor signs of feeling unwell when travelling; at this point, prevention is always better than letting it play out. Stopping for a while so your dog can have a comfort break, some fresh air, and readjust to a non-moving vehicle can help. A quick walk in a new environment where they can sniff away can help calm them and get their brains working again.
However, you won’t know to stop if you don’t know the signs, and here they are:
• Drooling
• Panting
• Swallowing a lot
• Lip licking
• Retching
Related | The best dog barriers for your car
Whether it’s a one-off or a regular thing, having a dog that gets motion sickness can affect walkies and stress you and your poor pooch out. Your dog may become afraid of travelling, worsening their symptoms, even on short journeys.
Signs that your dog may be anxious or fearful of travelling in the car include:
• Barking or whimpering
• Shaking before or during travel
• Peeing or pooing in the car
• Pulling away from the car or refusing to get inside.
How to deal with travel sickness in dogs?
Motion sickness tablets, like we’re going to list today, can be an excellent short-term fix for the problem if you do not have to travel often or if you need to make a journey without ample time to prepare your dog.
According to the PDSA, here are some tips which could help you prevent car sickness:
• Start with short journeys (no more than five minutes), then gradually build up by a few minutes at a time
• Use a pet-safe crate or travel harness to help them feel safe and secure
• Give them something comfortable to sit on and make sure they don’t slip around when the car moves
• Take regular breaks on journeys.
Some other things that might help your dog when travelling:
• Feed them at least two-to-three hours before travel
• Walk them before a journey
• Keep them cool in the car (ensure the cool air reaches your dog wherever they are sat).
Related | The best seat belts for dogs
The best dog travel sickness medicine
Johnsons Vet Travel Capsules
Price: RRP £3.90 | VIEW OFFER
This simple and relatively inexpensive tablet can help elevate travel sickness and make your pooch not feel as sick as a dog. This natural herbal product is said to reduce the effect of vehicle motion in dogs and cats.
On the back of the pack, it contains how many tablets you should give your animal 30 minutes before you travel. It states on the box that if you take a break in the middle of the journey, then the dose can be repeated if desired. It does not give precise information on how much should be taken and how far apart.
Pros
• Very well-respected brand
• Natural herbal product
• Plenty of reviews on Amazon
Cons
• Exact timings and time between dosage is not given
ADAPTIL Calm Transport Spray
Price: RRP £20.62 | VIEW OFFER
ADAPTIL has been carrying out research into dog behaviour for over 25 years. This transport spray is a synthetic reproduction of a hormone naturally released by a mother to calm and reassure their puppies. To make it work, spray it onto your car’s fabric or dog bed; it’s odourless and does not affect humans 15 minutes before travelling, and it will provide this synthetic calming hormone for up to five hours.
Pros
• Synthetic reproduction of a natural hormone
• Long-lasting
• Quick to work
Cons
• Expensive for a small bottle
HomeoPet Travel Anxiety
Price: RRP £10.99 | VIEW OFFER
This is another natural pet medication that can be delivered orally, on a snack or in your dog’s water, or you can drop them directly into your dog’s mouth. When using these types of medicine, you must always read the directions for use and do as much research as possible. With this medicine, you may administer one dose every 15 minutes up to four quantities. The first dose may take up to 30 minutes to work.
It’s said to relax your dog rather than send them to sleep – it doesn’t use chemicals and carries up to 90 doses per bottle.
Pros
• Natural herbal product
• No known side effects
• No harsh chemicals
Cons
• The research on this product is vague
Dog calming products
If medicines aren’t really what you want to be giving your dog, then some products are said to help without medication.
Adaptil Dog Appeasing Pheromone Collar
Price: RRP £22.75 | VIEW OFFER
Instead of spraying a synthetic version of the hormone pheromone on your dog’s bedding to help keep them calm, if you’re travelling to a new environment or kennels, you can purchase a pheromone collar which can last up to four weeks.
It’s super easy to use and goes around your dog’s neck just like a regular collar – ADAPTIL has now made the collars thinner for more comfort around the neck and deeper grooves to eliminate rubbing and ensure better fastening.
Pros
• Non-ingested medicine
• Removable if not working
• Long Life
Cons
• Landfill product once lifespan ends
ThunderShirt Anxiety Coat
Price: RRP £29.29 | VIEW OFFER
Studies have proved the ThunderShirt to reduce anxiety in dogs; in the study, more than 85% of dogs were less anxious when wearing the ThunderShirt, and it’s said to help three out of four dogs relieve their anxiety.
In essence, this wearable comfort blanket carries your smell and makes your dog feel safe.
Pros
• Not a medicine
• Once bought, you have it.
Cons
• If your dog becomes untrained, it may not be as effective.
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