Dog Car Sickness & Travel Anxiety on Holiday

Car sickness in dogs is often part motion sickness, part anxiety, and it is especially common in puppies, many of whom grow out of it. Practical steps make a big difference: travel on a fairly empty stomach (feed a light meal three to four hours before, not just before setting off), keep the car cool and well-ventilated, and secure your dog so it faces forwards and can't be thrown about - a crash-tested harness or crate, as covered in our car-travel guide below.

Take frequent breaks on longer drives, keep your own driving smooth, and build positive associations by making the car a nice place with short, rewarding trips between holidays. If your dog is still regularly sick despite all this, speak to your vet - there are very effective prescription anti-sickness medications that can transform travel for a sensitive dog.

Travel and holiday anxiety shows up as restlessness and stress signals rather than just sickness: pacing, whining, excessive drooling or panting, trembling, refusing food, clinginess, or hiding away. Some dogs are anxious in the car; others travel fine but become unsettled by an unfamiliar holiday cottage, new smells and a broken routine once you arrive.

The key is to recognise these signs early and respond calmly rather than fussing, which can reinforce the worry. Most travel anxiety eases as the dog learns that journeys lead to good things and that you are relaxed about the new surroundings. Persistent or severe anxiety, though, is worth raising with a vet or a qualified behaviourist.

Bring the familiar with you. A dog's own bed, blanket and a couple of favourite toys carry reassuring smells and give it a recognisable base in a strange place. Set that base up in a quiet corner as soon as you arrive, and let your dog explore the new accommodation at its own pace before you head out.

Keep routines as close to home as possible - the same feeding times, the same walk rhythm - because predictability is calming. Never leave an anxious dog alone in unfamiliar accommodation before it has settled, build up any alone-time gradually, and consider calming aids such as a pheromone diffuser or a snug coat for nervous dogs. A tired dog is a calmer dog, so a good walk on arrival often does more than anything.

Don't simply put up with travel sickness or anxiety that is making journeys miserable. See your vet if your dog is regularly sick in the car, shows severe anxiety (panic, destructiveness, refusing to eat or drink for long periods), or if the problem is getting worse rather than better. Vets can prescribe genuinely effective anti-sickness medication and advise on anti-anxiety support, and can rule out any underlying medical cause. For entrenched behavioural anxiety, ask for a referral to a qualified clinical animal behaviourist.