Dog Motion Sickness Medicine

Do car rides leave your pup feeling sick? You’re not alone. Motion sickness affects many dogs. It’s especially common in puppies and younger dogs, but can affect some throughout their life. 

There are a number of factors that may contribute to motion sickness in dogs, and choosing the best canine motion sickness medication starts with identifying the cause of your dog’s motion sickness.

Some motion sickness is caused by issues with the inner ear. A puppy’s undeveloped ears can lead to inner ear imbalances, which is a main driver of motion sickness. In these cases, puppies will most often outgrow motion sickness in their first year of life. 

An adult dog with an ear infection or other ear issues can also develop motion sickness. In these cases, your vet may recommend treating the ear infection before prescribing a dog motion sickness medicine. 

For other dogs, motion sickness is more psychological. Dogs who don’t travel often or are afraid of the car can develop motion sickness from the anxiety and stress associated with car rides. Just like in humans, these intense feelings can lead to vomiting or gastrointestinal distress. In these cases, slowly conditioning your dog to car rides can help. 

There are a number of dog motion sickness medications that may be effective for your dog. Some are available over-the-counter, while others require a prescription. Speak with a vet about the best dog motion sickness medication for your dog’s needs.

Buying prescription motion sickness meds for dogs is easy with our online pet pharmacy. Dutch members get free shipping on pharmacy orders.

There are a number of over-the-counter canine motion sickness medications that may be effective for your dog. Banophen (Diphenhydramine) is a common solution. It’s an antihistamine that doubles as a great motion sickness medicine for dogs, and is available from Dutch.

Dramamine may be a good solution for your dog’s motion sickness. Just like Banophen, it’s an antihistamine that can double as a carsick medicine for dogs. 

It’s important to talk to your vet before giving your dog any canine motion sickness medication, dramamine or otherwise. They can advise on dosage, frequency, and more.

Cerenia (Rx) is a prescription motion sickness med for dogs that is antiemetic, meaning it can stop nausea and vomiting. It’s given about 2 hours prior to traveling. Consult with your vet about your dog’s motion sickness and whether Cerenia may help.

Side effects vary based on the motion sickness medicine your dog is taking. The most common side effect, however, is drowsiness. Most dog motion sickness medications make your dog sedated and sleepy. Your dog may also experience dry mouth from some medications. 

If you’re concerned about the side effects your dog is experiencing from their medications, talk to your vet.