Dogs/Car Sick?

Does anyone else's dog get car sick? I spoke with the Vet -- and he thinks b/c Maddy is a rescue she's had some traumatic experiences whenever it comes to getting into a car.

Putting her in the back -- doesn't work, so I put her in the front with me on her harness, and she still drools a lot. I then put her in a carrier, where she literally cannot jump on the window or when Hubby drives, I put her in my lap and it works a bit better, but still with the drooling.

When she's in the car with hubby -- it's a nightmare -- she vomits, drools all over, and also does #2!!!!!!

Any advice??? I've tried just taking her on 5 minute drives so she can get used to it, but it doesn't work...I just fear when we go to our summer house upstate and the drive is about 2 hours plus...I don't know what to do!!!!!!

Re: Dogs/Car Sick?

Bailey would sometimes throw up the yellow bile if his belly was empty.

Hershey was deaf and NEVER was good in the car (we assumed not hearing and just seeing stuff whizzing by contributed but what did we know). She would drool (but not bad) and would NOT sit or lay down. She stood for entire car trips down to visit my mom in Myrtle Beach.

She would sorta settle a little if she was on someone's lap but never for long.

One trip to SC we got pills from the vet but honestly it was worse. She still held her ground and would not sit or lay down and just had a sad/dead look in her eyes.



Have you tried giving her toys or something to distract her?

Re: Dogs/Car Sick?

I really want to look into natural "cures" or even just something to settle her before going to the meds from the vet -- b/c of the same thing you went through.

I haven't tried toys-- maybe i'll bring her little bear with her to see if it distracts her, but I doubt it b/c she LOVES looking out the window and licking the glass!

Re: Dogs/Car Sick?

Cooper loves the car but for a while when we first starting driving around with him, he would get car sick. I think for no other reason than he had motion sickness.

I would definitely try the toys. Maybe also a pillow for her to lay on would be good.

If none of these things calm her down definitely talk to you vet and don't be afraid to resort to some meds. You don't want her to suffer while being in the car, ya know?

Good luck!

Re: Dogs/Car Sick?

One of mine gets carsick, but only if we're driving around windy roads and turning a lot - she's OK on straight roads and short trips. The longest we've driven with her is about 5 hours, and most of that was highway, so she was fine that time, but has puked on many an occasion after 30 - 45 minutes on curvy back roads. I have no advice, unfortunately, because I don't know how to make it better. Can dogs take drammamine??

Re: Dogs/Car Sick?

Re: Dogs/Car Sick?

that is exactly what my dog does.. she drools so much, and vomits..

so i talked to the vet about this..
which did help..

he said to not feed her or give her water for 4 hours before the car ride.. it helped witht he vomiting part..

then i heard that ginger helps their nerves too..

Re: Dogs/Car Sick?

My MIL's dog LOVES the care- but everytime we take her for any longer than 10 minutes- she throws up everywhere.

Re: Dogs/Car Sick?

what about just allowing her to go in the car and "hang out" in it for awhile... when it's nice out, roll the windows down, bring some treats and have her start to make positive associations.

THen if it's fear related, maybe take some drives to nearby parks or to fun places for her so she starts to see the car as a good thing

Re: Dogs/Car Sick?

Bella was like this for the first 6 months we had her. The second she got in the car she would drool uncontrollably and a lot of the times throw up too. We started by just letting her sit in the car for a few minutes each day with the car off, then the following week we had her sit in the car with it running, then gradually worked up to VERY short trips gradually getting longer each time. Now she LOVES the car, she goes from VA to NY all the time now no problem!!
GL!!

Re: Dogs/Car Sick?

We have the same problem with Ollie. She never got over it but honestly we never tried that hard, we just don't take her in the car. We took her on a car ride to NC and the dr. gave us some kind of doggy dramamine and it worked like a charm. I highly recommend using that when you take Maddie to your summer house.

eta: I just saw that you said you're looking for natural cures. You can try practicing getting her into the car. Give her treats when she gets into the car so she associated the car with something good. Don't go anywhere just practice having her comfortable in the car first. Also, it might help if you don't feed her the morning of the day you'll be taking a long ride with her.

Message edited 3/27/2009 9:30:10 PM.

Re: Dogs/Car Sick?

Message edited 11/23/2011 7:11:05 PM.