Puppy Motion Sickness: Prevention Starts Early

One of the most frustrating things for both breeders and new puppy owners is dealing with motion sickness.

You've just picked up your new puppy and are looking forward to the drive home, whether that's a few miles or several hours. Instead, your puppy starts drooling, maybe vomits, and generally looks miserable. Not exactly how you imagined your first trip together!

Luckily, there are things both breeders and new owners can do to help prevent, or at least minimize, motion sickness and make those first car rides a much better experience.

Why Do Puppies Get Carsick?

One reason puppies are more prone to motion sickness is that the vestibular system in their inner ear, which controls balance and helps them interpret movement, is still developing. As puppies mature, this system develops too, which is why many puppies eventually outgrow motion sickness, often by the time they are around a year old.

But there is another part of the problem that I think is just as important: the association puppies develop with being in a car.

A puppy who repeatedly feels nauseated or vomits during car rides can begin to associate the car itself with feeling sick. Eventually, that puppy may become anxious before the car even starts moving.

And for some dogs, that anxiety can continue long after the original motion sickness has improved.

The goal, then, is not only to minimize the physical symptoms of motion sickness but also to help puppies develop a positive relationship with car travel from a very young age.

This is where breeders can make a big difference!

What Can Breeders Do?

1. Start introducing puppies to the car early.

By about three or four weeks of age, I begin introducing puppies to the car in very small steps.

The first time, we might simply sit in a parked car for a few minutes and offer some tiny treats, if the puppies are old enough to enjoy them.

The next time, we do the same thing with the engine running.

Then perhaps we move the car a few feet and park again. Next time, we go up the driveway and back. Eventually, we take a very short drive.

You get the idea!

Everything is done gradually, and the goal is to make the car a familiar, positive place rather than something strange or frightening.

Once puppies are eating solid or mushy food comfortably, you can even offer part of a meal in the parked car. By five weeks, this is usually pretty easy to do.

Of course, puppies should always be safely secured before the vehicle moves.

2. Make the first veterinary visit less stressful.

By the time our puppies are ready for their first veterinary visit, the car is already familiar.

They may still experience motion sickness, but at least we have removed some of the anxiety associated with being in an unfamiliar environment.

One less thing for them to worry about!

3. Build value for the car as the puppies get older.

By six to eight weeks, I like to make the car something the puppies actually want to investigate.

Offer treats near the car. Reward them for approaching an open door. Praise them when they show interest in getting inside.

Once they are comfortable, reward them for being placed in their travel crate.

A few treats, a little praise, and we're done for the day!

It doesn't have to be complicated, and it only takes a few minutes.

4. Plan ahead for the trip to their new home.

Before puppies leave for their new homes, I discuss their travel plans with the families and, when needed, our veterinarian.

For puppies with a history of motion sickness, medication may be appropriate, but the puppy's age, weight, and health all need to be considered.

Cerenia is a prescription medication commonly used for motion sickness in dogs, although the tablet formulation is labeled for preventing motion sickness in dogs four months and older. For younger puppies, the veterinarian needs to determine what, if anything, is appropriate.

Some people also use medications such as meclizine or dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), but these should never be given to a young puppy without veterinary guidance.

I've also used small amounts of ginger and simple treats such as apple in my own routine. However, herbs and supplements aren't automatically safe just because they're natural, so I recommend discussing those with your veterinarian as well.

I also avoid giving a large meal immediately before travel. With very young puppies, though, I don't recommend prolonged fasting without veterinary guidance.

None of these steps can make an immature vestibular system develop any faster. What they can do is help reduce some of the discomfort and, just as importantly, prevent those early car rides from becoming frightening experiences.

What Can New Puppy Owners Do?

So, what can you do to make that first trip home more comfortable? And how can you continue taking your puppy out during those important early weeks of development without sacrificing socialization because of carsickness?

Here are my suggestions.

1. Bring a properly sized travel crate.

Your puppy should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.

Where you place that crate in the vehicle matters. I prefer a secure position where the puppy is exposed to as little unnecessary movement as possible.

Some puppies seem more comfortable when they can see forward, while others settle better with less visual stimulation. The most important thing is that the crate is properly secured and cannot slide or tip during travel.

Don't compromise the crate's safety or secure placement just to give the puppy a better view.

2. Keep the car cool and well ventilated.

Fresh air can help some puppies feel more comfortable.

I like to keep the temperature cool and, when appropriate, crack a window slightly for ventilation. Just make sure your puppy isn't sitting in a direct draft.

3. Make the crate a comfortable, familiar place.

A familiar blanket or toy can help your puppy settle.

I also like to give puppies something positive to associate with their crates, such as a favorite toy or an appropriate food-stuffed toy while supervised.

I would avoid loose bones, bully sticks, or anything that could become a choking hazard while the puppy is traveling unattended in the crate.

4. Take breaks and make them enjoyable!

If you're traveling a long distance, plan for breaks.

Let your puppy stretch, have a drink, and enjoy a little time with you. A few minutes of gentle play or exploring a safe area can help break up the trip.

Remember that young puppies aren't fully vaccinated, so choose your stopping places carefully and avoid areas heavily used by unfamiliar dogs.

Always have fresh water available for your puppy.

What About Future Car Rides?

Once your puppy is home, continue following these steps. Don't stop just because the first trip went well!I also encourage families to continue the same gradual car-conditioning exercises we started here.

Start with short trips that have a positive outcome. Maybe you drive a few minutes, stop somewhere safe, have a little fun, and come home.

The idea is to keep building positive experiences without repeatedly pushing the puppy to the point of nausea. For puppies who are particularly prone to motion sickness, I recommend working with your veterinarian on a travel plan.

In my own experience, I've used products such as Bonine (meclizine) and ginger as part of a motion sickness routine. But medication doses and the timing of meals need to be determined for the individual puppy, particularly during those first few months.

Young puppies have different nutritional needs from adult dogs, so withholding food for eight or twelve hours is not something I would recommend as a general rule.

The point is to find a routine that keeps the puppy comfortable enough to continue having good experiences in the car.

And no, that doesn't mean you need to take your puppy for a long drive every day!

We don't take our young puppies out in the car daily. I find that two or three positive car experiences a week, along with all their other socialization activities, can be plenty.

Quality matters much more than quantity.

Why Prevention Is So Important

Here's the part I really want new puppy owners to understand.

Motion sickness and car anxiety can become connected.

Imagine being a puppy who feels terrible every single time you get into the car. You drool, you feel nauseated, and maybe you vomit. Then the next time someone opens the car door, you already have a pretty good idea of what's coming.

Eventually, you may start drooling before the car even moves.

At that point, anxiety itself may be contributing to the symptoms.

This is why some adult dogs continue to struggle with car travel even when their vestibular systems are fully developed. In some cases, the original motion sickness has improved, but the negative association with the car remains.

Of course, not all adult carsickness is behavioral. Some dogs continue to experience genuine motion sickness throughout their lives.

But preventing that cycle of nausea and anxiety is exactly what we're trying to accomplish with all these early experiences.

Don't Rush the Process

One of the biggest mistakes is assuming that because a puppy has had a few good car rides, the problem is solved.

Improvement is wonderful, but it doesn't necessarily mean the puppy has completely outgrown motion sickness.

I encourage families to continue their positive car-conditioning routine throughout the first several months, even when things seem to be going well.

As your puppy matures, you can gradually increase the length of your trips and make adjustments based on how the puppy responds.

If medication has been prescribed, work with your veterinarian to determine when and how to discontinue it. Don't change several things at once if your puppy is still struggling, because then it becomes difficult to know what is helping.

And remember, the goal isn't to medicate a puppy every day just so you can take it somewhere.

The goal is to help that puppy become a confident traveler who can enjoy the car without fear or discomfort.

Most puppies improve as they mature, and with a little planning and patience, those early experiences don't have to turn into a lifelong problem.

A few minutes of preparation now can make a tremendous difference in how your puppy feels about car travel for years to come.

These suggestions are based on my experience raising puppies over many years. They are not intended to replace veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian before giving puppies medications, herbs, or supplements, or making significant changes to their feeding schedule.