Motion Sickness Medicine for Dogs: What to Try Now

Want to go for a ride in the car? A common question we ask our dogs, but what if they get car sick? It makes that fun adventure a lot less enjoyable for both of you. But there are motion sickness medicine for dogs options that may make that dream of cruising down the highway, ears flapping in the wind, more of a reality.

Motion Sickness Medicine for Dogs: Why Is It Needed?

Travel by car, airplane, or boat can cause motion sickness. It is a condition that occurs when the eyes, inner ear, and body send conflicting messages to the brain. This conflict between the senses can cause many symptoms, including: nausea excessive drooling vomiting agitation and restlessness.

Motion sickness is more commonly seen in puppies and younger dogs than in older ones. The ear structures that control a puppy’s sense of balance are not fully developed yet.

Many dogs will outgrow motion sickness once they have fully matured.

Puppyhood is not the only reason for car sickness, though. Stress can be a contributing factor if your dog gets car sick. Your over-anxious pup may worry themselves sick. Literally. Sometimes, dogs only get to go in the car to go to the vet, and they know it; And do not like it.

When is It Time to Try Motion Sickness Medicine for Dogs?

So how do you know if your woozy pooch is not feeling well? There are many symptoms of motion sickness besides vomiting up their morning cookies. Your dog may be restless, cannot get comfortable in the back seat, or may be overanxious. Maybe they are whining, crying, or vocalizing, or maybe they even freeze into a motionless statue, afraid to move because they might get sick. They may yawn excessively or start lip smacking or drooling. These are signs of nausea and indications that they are not feeling well.

You’re in luck! There’s help! There are many remedies for motion sickness available to you, from holistic options to antihistamines or anti-nausea drugs, to prescription medications you can get from your veterinarian. Dogs that have not outgrown car sickness or do not respond to conditioning may benefit from medications.

Natural Motion Sickness Relief for Dogs

Natural remedies for motion sickness include different herbs and spices. These should only be given to your dog under the direction of your veterinarian, but can be a good starting place.

Ginger

Ginger is well known for its anti-nausea properties and is safe for most dogs. You want to avoid ginger if your dog is undergoing surgery, on blood thinners, or pregnant. Use with caution and check with your veterinarian if your dog is diabetic or has heart disease.  

Peppermint

Peppermint is also commonly used to quell nausea. It works by calming the muscles in the stomach. So, if your pup is car sick because they are stressed, this may be a good option for them. There are peppermint oils available for consumption, do not use the essential oil, as it is too concentrated for ingestion, and may cause liver or kidney issues. Steeping peppermint leaves are also safe.

Catnip

Catnip and fennel can also be used to assist with nausea. Catnip has a sedative effect on dogs and can help calm their nerves. Just make sure they are not given Catnip seeds, as they are not safe for dogs, but the leaves, stems, and flowers are. Also, do not give your dog more than half a teaspoon of dried Catnip, or a few leaves of fresh. Excessive amounts could cause vomiting and / or diarrhea, which we are trying to prevent in the first place. Fennel has a similar effect as catnip and is a good alternative for dogs that do not like the taste of peppermint or ginger. Do not use fennel in pregnant or lactating dogs, though.

Over-the-Counter Motion Sickness Medicine for Dogs

If natural herbs and spices aren’t your cup of tea, there are a few common over the counter medications you can try, but please always consult your veterinarian before administering for approval and proper dosage.

Benadryl for Dogs

Diphenhydramine (trade name Benadryl) is often recommended to treat anxiety and motion sickness in dogs. It is an antihistamine that may have sedative effects. Be sure to NOT use the product that is combined with cold relief medication in humans. Use only the diphenhydramine as the active ingredient product. Side effects of this medication include vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. It can be given every eight hours if needed.

Dramamine for Dogs

Dimenhydrinate (trade name Dramamine) can also be used and may be better tolerated if given with food. Check with your veterinarian for dosage information.

Bonine for Dogs

Meclizine (trade name Bonine) is also another option and is only given once a day. Your veterinarian can tell you how much your dog needs. It is also an antihistamine with anti-nausea effects and may cause drowsiness. Meclizine is also available by prescription through your veterinarian.

Although over the counter medications have a high safety margin, remember that dogs are not little people. Please consult your veterinarian before administering any medication or natural remedy for proper dosage and contraindications.

Prescription Dog Motion Sickness Medicine

If over-the-counter products are not working, or you do not want to try natural products, your veterinarian may turn to prescription medications. Cerenia is the only FDA-approved prescription medication for vomiting due to motion sickness in dogs. Cerenia is available in tablet form and is administered with a small amount of food 2 hours prior to travel. It is given once a day and can be given for up to 2 days in a row.

Cerenia works by reducing the feeling of nausea via the dog’s central nervous system.  Possible side effects are lethargy / sedation, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors.  

Other prescription medications can also be dispensed by your veterinarian, such as diphenhydramine or meclizine that we already talked about. Prescription anxiety medications may also be used for anxious dogs, rather than giving them an anti-nausea medication.  

Motion Sickness Medicine for Dogs: Keeping Them Comfortable

Many times, prevention is the best policy. Making the travel experience as comfortable as possible will often help your car-sick pup. Here are a few tricks to try.

Face forward! Looking out the side windows of a moving vehicle can often make matters worse. If they sit facing forward, the visual cues that trigger nausea may lessen. Using a specially designed doggie seat belt will keep your dog safe, and their eyes facing forward. You can also contain them in a crate with the door facing forward. Though you cannot guarantee they look straight out the door, chances are, they will try to keep their eyes on you for comfort, and you are seated in front of them.

Lowering the windows a little bit for fresh air may help alleviate the nausea too. This helps balance the air pressure between the car and outside air and keeps them cool and well-ventilated.

It is important that your pup feels comfortable and safe.

Calming Dog Travel Products

There are other products on the market that may help.

• You can try calming vests or wraps, that put gentle pressure on the dog’s torso, like swaddling a baby. This is supposed to create a calm, secure feeling for them.
• There are also pheromone sprays and collars you can try. They contain synthetic pheromones that help a dog to relax in the event of a stress trigger.
• CBD oils may also help as a calming aid, though again, always consult your veterinarian before using.

Travel Conditioning and Pets

If your dog associates car rides with bad memories, like only going for a ride to go to the vet, they may just need some positive conditioning. Take short rides, starting out just going around the block, then reward them with praise and treats when you return home.  Every time you get in the car, go a little further to build up tolerance, and continue with the rewards. 

Take them some place fun, like the park or your local pet store to get a new toy. Soon they will look forward to jumping in the back seat for a ride along! ***

Photo by marieke koenders on Unsplash