Do Dogs Get Car Anxiety?

Just like people can get car anxiety, dogs can also experience that. There are many times when you need to travel somewhere with your dog, even for something as little as a visit to the veterinarian.

So, if you notice your dog getting scared, panting, and shivering, why does that happen and what can you do to help them?

When your dog seems distressed during a car ride, they might be experiencing dog car anxiety. While most dogs get excited when going on a drive, some dogs, especially puppies, get scared and anxious in this situation. Some signs your dog is suffering from dog car anxiety are panting, shivering, fidgeting, resisting to enter the car, or looking for a way out.

Dog car anxiety is different from motion sickness. Car anxiety can cause motion sickness, the former is a behavioral problem, while the latter is a psychological one. That’s to say, car anxiety happens because of a fear your dog has regarding cars, while motion sickness happens when your dog’s body has a physical reaction to their environment. Some symptoms overlap, so the best way to determine which of the two issues your dog suffers from is by taking them to a veterinarian.

If your dog is diagnosed with car anxiety you can start giving them treatment. Medication, like anti-nausea pills, is the most common and effective treatment. If the symptoms don’t subside, then the veterinarian might prescribe them anti-anxiety medication. Behavioral training can also work in this situation. You also need to create a calming environment inside the car. Get them a few blankets, make sure they have water and food, maybe hold them if that soothes them.

Car rides can be entertaining for dogs, and are often a necessity. So, if you notice symptoms of anxiety, contact a veterinarian to see what’s going on.