What are some symptoms of carsickness for dogs?

March 31, 2010 - 9:42 am 11 Comments

My husband and I have a 8 wk. old Maltese and Shih Tzu mix and we take him with us for rides in the car. Today was his 6th time and also his longest time spent in the car. Next thing we know, he starts to dry heave and eventually vomits. He has no fever and he drinks his water to help him vomit more, but I just want to make sure its not parvo. The vet isn’t open untill morning. Please help.

i would be willing to bet it’s just car sickness. Parvo is a virus that attacks the intestinal system and severe diarrhea is always a symptom. The reason he drinks water after he vomits is the same reason you would . He like the taste of the water better than the vomit taste. Even if a dog is used to riding in a car they can still get motion sickness after an extended period time riding in a car. Especially if you feed them while there riding or just before the ride. Bur water should always be kept accessible to your dog while riding in the car. When taking your dog for an extended car ride you should make frequent stops along the way. Because the dog needs a break from the car in the same way you would.i.e To potty, Stretch their legs and to get some fresh air. This will also help a great deal with the car sickness issue for the dog. But if the vomiting continues even after the car ride has ended you should take him to the vet to be checked out.

11 Responses to “What are some symptoms of carsickness for dogs?”

  1. C-Crazy Says:

    He most probibly has car sickness. Or a flu. Contact your doctor asap in the morning-you never know, it could be very serious.
    References :
    pet owner

  2. isis Says:

    JUST KEEP THE RIDES SHORT BUT FREQUENT FOR NOW. DON’T FEED BEFORE A RIDE. WHEN HE GETS OLDER IF HE’S STILL GETTING SICK, ASK YOUR VET FOR A CALMER-DOWNER THAT YOU CAN GIVE HIM BEFORE RIDES.
    References :

  3. llll_bouncer_llll Says:

    Throwing up is the first sign. If you travel with you dog try some pet ease. Its like a doggie downer. Plus he could be telling you that your driving needs improvement. Sudden stops and accelleration can do it. Also they want fresh air blowing in thier face.
    References :

  4. cee.lynn Says:

    blood in stool would indicate parvo, not so much the vomiting. Most puppies get car sick, i wouldnt worry too much about it, but definetly call the vet tomorrow morning just to be sure.
    References :

  5. KC Says:

    if he has had his shots than it is probably just carsickness. If he is eating and drinking he should be fine and if he is not better by tomorrow than I would call the vet and just ask them. But usually when a dag has parvo they do vomit but they also have bloody stool and a wired smell about them. But if he has had his shots i would not worry to much unless he just get really bad off tonight. Dog are alot like people and they can get car sick especially if he was riding loose in the car. My dog has to be in his cage when he is in the car for this very reason. I hope everything works out.
    References :

  6. purplehartamerica Says:

    it probly is car sickness i had dogs that did the same thing .one way to get them over it is to take them for rides bout keep them from staring out the window ! watching things go by is what can cause thier motion sickness, dont worry but see the vet when you can if nothing eles for peace of mind ! purplehart
    References :

  7. carleegresham Says:

    No more water, first of all.

    I wouldn’t think it’s Parvo just because he threw up, but it is nice to see someone who is cautious. Most likely just a little carsickness. If possible, let him get out of the car and rest or play for an hour or two.

    Along with vomiting, parvovirus infection symptoms include:
    -diarrhea (sometimes bloody in later stages)
    -loss of appetite, refusing water
    -lethargy (laziness, not wanting to move)

    Also, a look at the gums can usually tell you a great deal about your dog’s health.
    slimy/dark pink = good
    sticky or dry/light pink or white = bad

    Just keep an eye on him. If you notice any other symptoms, or symptoms worsen, take him to an emergency vet. Otherwise, simply take him in for his regular (and frequent) puppy visits.
    References :
    Trainer, Breeder, Groomer

  8. Nikki Says:

    It doesn’t seem like Parvo, just keep an eye on him and if he doesn’t vomit again, than he is just car sick…..Also you can tell if you take him for rides and he vomits each time, sometimes worse than others, depending on what he eats before. When a dog has car sickness, about 1-3minutes before he/she will vomit you will notice them drooling allot, then they will have dry heave and will vomit, some dogs will vomit twice one after the other. If you take him for short rides all the time and he doesn’t vomit than it tells you that he is only car sick on long rides, so my suggestion to you is when you take him for a longer than usual ride, stop about half way and take him out for a walk. If he does vomit all the time no matter the length of the ride than, all you can do is take him for more rides to see if he stops with his car sickness, unfortunately there is nothing else you can do to make him stop, its natural for some dogs to have motion sickness. Trust me I had a German shepherd mix that vomited his whole life when he went for rides, and it only got better with time. Good luck though, and keep an eye on your puppy and see if he is still sick even when not on a car ride, then call your vet if the vomiting continues.
    References :
    self experience

  9. Answerqueen Says:

    Car sickness definately……he will be fine…give water….and you can give pedialyte just like you can to kids…..my vet even mentioned gatorade frozen until mushy
    References :

  10. sillygoose Says:

    parvo will also have a temp.over 102 and diarreha. you can do 2 things to help with car sickness… 1) dont feed within an hour of the ride. 2) truck stops sell stripping you place on your cars bumper to stop static build up which is what causes car sickness… you see these strips on RV’S a lot. cuts out static.
    they are those fringes that hang off the bumper.
    References :
    also get pup his shots !! :)

  11. Dogman01 Says:

    i would be willing to bet it’s just car sickness. Parvo is a virus that attacks the intestinal system and severe diarrhea is always a symptom. The reason he drinks water after he vomits is the same reason you would . He like the taste of the water better than the vomit taste. Even if a dog is used to riding in a car they can still get motion sickness after an extended period time riding in a car. Especially if you feed them while there riding or just before the ride. Bur water should always be kept accessible to your dog while riding in the car. When taking your dog for an extended car ride you should make frequent stops along the way. Because the dog needs a break from the car in the same way you would.i.e To potty, Stretch their legs and to get some fresh air. This will also help a great deal with the car sickness issue for the dog. But if the vomiting continues even after the car ride has ended you should take him to the vet to be checked out.
    References :

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