Why do dogs hate car rides?
Meda Wuckert
2025-06-26 07:43:41
Count answers: 8
If you’re dog dreads getting into the car and hates going on car rides, then they’re most likely suffering from motion sickness, anxiety, or a combination of both. Motion sickness is more common in puppies and young dogs since the part of their ear that manages balance hasn’t fully developed yet, and the motion of the car can make them feel more off-balanced than adult dogs typically do. This off-balanced sensation can then lead them to feel nauseous and possibly vomit. Usually, when an adult dog hates car rides, it’s due to anxiety rather than physical discomfort. The anxiety that they associate with car rides probably stems from when they were young. If your furry friend experienced terrible motion sickness, they could continue to associate that discomfort with car rides even when they reach adulthood and aren’t experiencing motion sickness anymore. There are also dogs who hate car rides because they associate them with going to the veterinarian’s office, which is likely the reason if they only ever get in the car to go to an appointment. If Fido has had other negative experiences during or immediately after car rides, this could also be the reason they get so anxious – they might associate negative events with the car. Sometimes the sickness a dog experiences in the car can be due to the anxiety they associate with car rides.
Chaya Moen
2025-06-26 04:34:20
Count answers: 11
This can be due to motion sickness, a previous bad event in the car like an accident, or anxiety about being trapped inside a giant, moving machine. A dog can even be put off car trips entirely if the usual destination is somewhere unpleasant like the vet. Puppies are more likely than adult dogs to get sick in the car, but many will grow out of their motion sickness as they mature. For those who don’t, fortunately, the steps above can help your dog become accustomed to a moving car. But if an upset stomach from motion sickness or anxiety still bothers your dog, here are a few tips to help ease your dog’s tummy.
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