Can Dogs Take Motion Sickness Medicine? Does It Work?
📝 Summary
Many dogs get severely carsick on their first ride, with symptoms much like ours — vomiting and drooling, and in severe cases even loss of bowel or bladder control. Can you give your dog motion sickness medicine to prevent it? Here is what you need to know.
1 Can Dogs Take Motion Sickness Medicine?
If your dog has never ridden in a car, or has a history of carsickness, you can give a small amount of motion sickness medication before the trip to help prevent it.
Dog motion sickness medicines are usually antiemetics and phenothiazine-class (antipsychotic) drugs, generally available at veterinary clinics. They help calm your dog and reduce vomiting caused by carsickness. Phenobarbital tablets, a sedative, also help prevent carsickness and seasickness.
For antiemetics, cimetidine tablets are a good choice; they suppress stomach acid secretion and have a strong central nervous system inhibitory effect, effectively preventing and relieving carsickness-related vomiting. Phenobarbital and phenothiazine-class drugs must be dosed under veterinary guidance, as blind feeding can easily cause adverse reactions. Also, never give your dog human motion sickness medicine, which can easily cause poisoning and other side effects.
2 Emergency Measures When Your Dog Gets Carsick
If you notice early signs of carsickness, stop the car immediately and let your dog walk outside to breathe fresh air and ease the symptoms.
Once symptoms ease, you can offer an electrolyte solution and probiotic powder to prevent dehydration from frequent vomiting and to support digestive recovery and a healthy gut flora.
3 Tips to Prevent Carsickness in Dogs
Do not feed your dog too much food or water before the trip. Avoid sending your dog out on an empty stomach, but offer a small amount about an hour before departure, and avoid greasy foods.
Place a few of your dog’s favorite toys and its usual seat cushion in its area, and lay down several layers of old newspaper or towels to reduce jolting.
Dogs are calmer and more relaxed in cooler conditions and less prone to carsickness; if the weather is very hot, turn on the air conditioning.
Bring a large bottle of water your dog can easily use, to relieve its thirst from time to time.
Stop every 2–3 hours to let your dog get out to relieve itself or walk around for fresh air.
4 When to See a Vet
If your dog vomits for more than a day after a car ride, or shows lethargy and poor appetite, it may indicate another illness such as canine parvovirus or coronavirus. Take it to a veterinary clinic promptly or consult an online veterinarian.
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