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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Puppy car sickness

13 replies

nuggetsandchips · 23/06/2024 08:59

We have 2 wonderful boys, our 18 month old Beagle and a nearly 6 month old Westie.

Our Westie seems to have fairly reliable car sickness, is there anything I can do to help him?

He gets fed twice a day, breakfast is around 7am, if we go out in the car after midday he seems fine. Anything sooner he is sick. Yesterday we went to the pet shop well after midday, he was fine on the way there, he got given a few puppy treats, after about 10 minutes into driving home, he threw them up. So it seems he can only travel on an empty stomach.

OP posts:
fieldsofbutterflies · 23/06/2024 09:21

It's quite common for dogs to get car sick - if not feeding him works then I would just go with that.

There is medication you can get for them but many grow out of it too. You could also look at how he travels in the car and see if there's a way he prefers.

Original poster
nuggetsandchips · 23/06/2024 09:43

By any chance do you know what sort of medication?

For now we can deal with only taking him out in the afternoons, but we also like to travel and go on holiday and take the dogs, and I'm not sure just not feeding him will be possible in that case.

Our Beagle stressed pooped if he was just seatbelted in the backseat so we got him a car crate and his fine now, our Westie really hates crates, at home he has a topless pen and he will sit calmly on a seat (with doggy seat belt) in the car. We tried him in the crate but he still threw up.

OP posts:
fieldsofbutterflies · 23/06/2024 09:46

I couldn't tell you the name as our beagle has always been a good traveller, but I know other dogs who've had success with medication in the past.

If you ask your vet they should be able to recommend something 🤞

GelatinousDynamo · 23/06/2024 09:52

No vet will prescribe you medication for car sickness for a puppy. The dog needs to be at least a year old to take it.

Honestly, they grow out of it, like children. We used puppy pads in the car for a while, makes it easier to clean up the mess. Mine is now a year old and hasn't had an accident in almost two months, you just have to be patient.

Original poster
nuggetsandchips · 23/06/2024 12:10

GelatinousDynamo · 23/06/2024 09:52

No vet will prescribe you medication for car sickness for a puppy. The dog needs to be at least a year old to take it.

Honestly, they grow out of it, like children. We used puppy pads in the car for a while, makes it easier to clean up the mess. Mine is now a year old and hasn't had an accident in almost two months, you just have to be patient.

My experience with car sickness is fairly limited, none of my dogs have had problems with car travel, my only reference was my Nan's dog who suffered his whole life with it, and it was simply dreadful.

OP posts:
Danceswithweasels · 23/06/2024 12:27

My boy was awful when he was a puppy. I found ginger biscuits helped (lots of dog friendly recipes online) also very short trips, (neighbours thought I was mad driving to the end of the road) so he didn't have a chance to feel sick then lots of praise and treats. What really cracked it was driving to meet his dog friend for a walk, the anticipation of a playdate when I told him where we were going cancelled out the worry of the car.

Ylvamoon · 23/06/2024 12:58

Can he travel in the crate with a towel over it, so he can only look out at the back?
You obviously have to teach him to go in with some treat or feeding him without shutting the door to start with.

Often, dogs get car sickness because there is just too much to see everywhere.... front, back & sides.

Original poster
nuggetsandchips · 23/06/2024 13:19

He doesn't seem particularly worried about the car, and most of the time we have both dogs, but I will absolutely give anything a try, thanks!

OP posts:
KeenOtter · 23/06/2024 17:23

Cerenia is the medication used for travel sickness.

It can be a magic cure for some dogs they may only need it for a couple of trips and it can stop the travel sickness from this point on. It is not cheap but you would only need to try it for a few trips.

You can give it to dogs from 16 weeks of age

Anewuser · 23/06/2024 17:28

Probably not even available now - and I’m sure they wouldn’t be recommended for dogs. But, we used to give our retriever half a ‘sea legs’ tablet an hour before a journey. Worked for her.

solvendie · 24/06/2024 20:11

Like @KeenOtter said - Cerenia can be prescribed. Our experience of it was brilliant.

Darklane · 25/06/2024 13:21

He’ll most likely grow out of it. It’s all to do with the ears not being fully matured in a puppy. None of the usual remedies like ginger ever seem to work & I wouldn’t want to resort to prescription meds for it. Try to time your outings to times before he’s eaten till he’s a bit older. All mine have grown out of it & one in particular was dreadful.

Xiaoxiong · 25/06/2024 17:44

Our golden retriever was awful until he was about 9 months - would start drooing before the car even started moving and would throw up like clockwork once every 15 minutes. In the last 3 months he's transformed and barely gets sick - only if it's a truly twisty turning road where even a human would get carsick does he have any issues at all. I think he's definitely growing out of it, fingers crossed your puppy does too!

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