How to Calm Car Anxiety in Dogs and Cats: A Vet’s Guide to Stress-Free Travel

By Dr Duncan Houston.

Some pets love car rides. Others begin trembling the moment the keys jingle. Car-related distress may be caused by motion sickness, fear, unfamiliar sounds, loss of balance, previous unpleasant journeys or a combination of several factors.

The good news is that many dogs and cats can become more comfortable travellers through careful preparation, gradual training and veterinary support.

Quick Answer

To help a pet with car anxiety:

Arrange a veterinary assessment to investigate nausea, pain or illness.
Secure your pet in an appropriate carrier, crate or vehicle restraint.
begin training inside a stationary car.
Pair each stage with treats, play or another valued reward.
Progress to extremely short journeys.
Ask your veterinarian about anti-nausea or anti-anxiety medication when needed.
Never force your pet through severe distress.

Motion sickness and anxiety frequently occur together. Treating only one part of the problem may not resolve the journey completely.

Signs of Car Anxiety in Pets

Signs may begin before the vehicle even moves. Watch for:

Refusing to approach the car
Hiding when the carrier appears
Trembling or crouching
Panting when the temperature is comfortable
Pacing or repeatedly changing position
Whining, barking or excessive meowing
Scratching at doors or carriers
Urinating or defecating
Refusing treats
Attempting to escape
Freezing or becoming unusually still

A pet that appears quiet is not necessarily relaxed. Freezing, shutting down or refusing food can indicate significant fear.

Could It Be Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness can look very similar to anxiety. Signs of nausea may include:

Drooling
Repeated swallowing
Lip or nose licking
Yawning
Restlessness
Retching
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Becoming unusually quiet

Young dogs appear particularly susceptible, although pets of any age can be affected.

Motion sickness and anxiety can also reinforce each other. A pet that repeatedly feels nauseous in the car may learn that the vehicle predicts illness. Eventually, anxiety may begin before the engine is started.

If your pet suddenly develops difficulty travelling after previously enjoying the car, arrange a veterinary examination. Ear disease, pain, neurological disorders and other medical conditions may affect balance or comfort.

When Is Car-Related Distress an Emergency?

Stop somewhere safe and seek urgent veterinary advice if your pet develops:

Collapse or severe weakness
Breathing difficulty
Pale, blue or grey gums
Repeated vomiting
Severe disorientation
Seizure activity
Suspected heatstroke
An injury caused by attempted escape
Abdominal swelling or unproductive retching
Extreme distress that does not settle after the journey stops

Never leave a pet unattended in a parked vehicle. Temperatures can become dangerous very quickly, even when the weather does not feel particularly hot.

Step 1: Arrange a Veterinary Assessment

Before beginning training, speak with your veterinarian about:

When the problem first appeared
Whether distress begins before or after the car moves
Any vomiting, drooling or diarrhoea
Previous unpleasant journeys
Your pet’s current medications
Recent changes in behaviour
Signs of pain or balance problems

A short video may help, provided it can be recorded without distracting the driver or deliberately provoking severe distress.

Your veterinarian can help determine whether nausea, anxiety, pain or another medical condition is contributing.

Step 2: Make the Vehicle Safe

An anxious pet should never roam freely inside a moving vehicle. Unrestrained pets can distract the driver, escape when a door opens or be seriously injured during sudden braking.

For cats

Cats should generally travel inside a secure, well-ventilated carrier.

Choose a carrier that:

Is large enough for your cat to turn around
Has a secure door
Can be opened from the top or separated into two sections
Contains non-slip bedding
Can be safely stabilised inside the vehicle

Keep the carrier level and prevent it from sliding. A lightweight towel may be placed over part of the carrier to reduce visual stimulation, but ventilation must remain unobstructed.

Feline-friendly guidance recommends leaving the carrier out at home, adding familiar bedding and rewarding voluntary exploration so it becomes part of the cat’s normal environment. Cat Friendly Homes

For dogs

Depending on your dog’s size and the vehicle, consider:

A properly fitted vehicle safety harness
A secured travel carrier
A secured travel crate
A professionally installed vehicle barrier used with suitable restraint

Look for independently tested products rather than relying solely on the words “crash tested” in marketing material. The Center for Pet Safety publishes a list of independently tested and certified harnesses, carriers and crates.

Do not attach a vehicle restraint to a choke, slip, prong or standard neck collar.

Step 3: Build Positive Associations with the Carrier

For cats and small dogs, carrier training should begin before car training.

Leave the carrier open in a familiar room.
Add comfortable bedding carrying your pet’s scent.
Place treats, toys or meals near the entrance.
Gradually move rewards farther inside.
Allow your pet to enter and leave freely.
Briefly close the door, reward and reopen it.
Slowly increase the time spent inside.

Avoid chasing your pet around the house and forcing them into the carrier immediately before every journey. This quickly teaches them that the carrier predicts something unpleasant.

If urgent travel is unavoidable, ask your veterinarian how to move and transport your pet as safely as possible.

Step 4: Begin with a Parked Car

Start when you have nowhere to go. The goal is training, not transport.

First sessions

Park the car somewhere cool and quiet.
Keep the engine off.
Allow your dog to approach voluntarily.
Place your cat’s secured carrier inside gently.
Offer treats, praise or a favourite food toy.
End the session after one or two calm minutes.

If your pet will not eat, attempts to escape or becomes distressed, shorten the session and return to an easier step.

Several calm 30-second sessions are more useful than one long, overwhelming session.

Step 5: Introduce Car Sounds and Movement Gradually

Once your pet can settle in the stationary car:

Close one door and reopen it.
Sit in the driver’s seat.
Start the engine briefly.
Reverse a short distance and stop.
Drive to the end of the street.
Complete a one or two-minute journey.
Gradually increase the distance.

Progress only while your pet remains comfortable enough to eat, explore or settle.

If distress increases, return to the last successful stage. There is no prize for reaching the motorway first.

Step 6: Make Destinations More Enjoyable

If every journey ends at the veterinary clinic, groomer or boarding facility, your pet may learn that the car predicts stressful experiences.

For dogs, include short journeys to:

A quiet walking area
A favourite family member’s home
A calm sniffing location
A drive-through followed by returning home
A parked location where you simply share treats

Cats do not generally need recreational car rides. For many cats, the goal is simply to make essential travel predictable and tolerable.

Step 7: Reduce Visual and Sensory Overload

Some pets become distressed by scenery rushing past, road noise or the movement of surrounding vehicles.

Helpful options may include:

Partially covering a carrier
Using removable window shades
Keeping music at a low volume
Maintaining a comfortable temperature
Driving smoothly
Avoiding sudden braking and sharp turns
Preventing other pets from crowding them

Never use a cover that restricts ventilation or causes the carrier to become hot.

Visual caps and similar products should only be introduced gradually and positively. Never place unfamiliar equipment on a distressed pet immediately before travel.

Step 8: Consider Species-Specific Pheromones

Synthetic dog or cat pheromone products may help some pets, although responses vary.

If using a spray:

Choose a product made specifically for your pet’s species.
Follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Apply it to bedding or the carrier, not directly onto your pet.
Allow the alcohol carrier to evaporate before placing your pet nearby.

Feline-friendly guidance suggests applying synthetic feline pheromone spray to carrier bedding before travel. AAFP cat travel guidance

Avoid experimenting with concentrated essential oils inside the car. Cats are particularly vulnerable to some essential oils, and strong fragrances may irritate or further distress either species.

Step 9: Discuss Motion Sickness Medication

Medication may be appropriate when nausea is present.

Maropitant, sold under brand names including Cerenia®, is approved in several countries for preventing vomiting associated with motion sickness in dogs. The formulation, timing and dose used for motion sickness may differ from those used for other causes of vomiting.

In the United States, the labelled indication includes prevention of vomiting from motion sickness in dogs four months of age and older. Official Cerenia® prescribing information

Medication should be prescribed by your veterinarian. Do not estimate the dose, use another pet’s tablets or assume that preventing vomiting means your pet is no longer nauseous or anxious.

Cats require an individual veterinary plan because medication indications and dosing differ between species.

Step 10: Discuss Anti-Anxiety Medication

Medication may also be appropriate when fear is severe, travel is unavoidable or training alone is not enough.

Depending on the patient, a veterinarian may consider medications such as:

Gabapentin
Trazodone
Clonidine
Other short or longer-acting anxiety medications

Some uses may be off-label but supported by veterinary clinical experience. The choice depends on your pet’s species, age, health, other medications and the nature of their anxiety.

Medication works best when combined with gradual training. The aim is to help your pet feel safe enough to learn, not simply make them too sleepy to react.

Your veterinarian may recommend a trial dose at home before travel so you can assess its effect in a controlled setting.

Food Before Travelling

A large meal immediately before driving may worsen nausea in some pets. However, fasting is not suitable for every animal, particularly very young pets, pets with diabetes or animals taking certain medications.

Ask your veterinarian when and what to feed before travel.

Small treats used during training may still be appropriate. Stop offering food if your pet appears nauseous, is retching or cannot swallow normally.

Preparing for a Longer Journey

Pack:

Fresh water and a bowl
Regular food
Prescribed medications
A familiar blanket
Spare bedding
Waste bags and cleaning supplies
A leash and secure harness
Vaccination and medical records
Current identification
A recent photograph of your pet
Your veterinarian’s contact details
Details for emergency clinics along the route

Check that your pet’s microchip information and identification tag are current.

For dogs, plan safe toilet and water breaks. Keep the lead attached before opening the vehicle door.

For cats, avoid opening the carrier at roadside stops. If access is essential, remain inside a completely enclosed vehicle with all doors and windows secured.

The American Veterinary Medical Association also recommends helping pets become accustomed to car travel before longer journeys and using familiar items to improve comfort.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forcing a frightened pet into repeated long journeys
Allowing pets to roam freely in the vehicle
Holding a cat or small dog on your lap
Attaching a seatbelt restraint to a neck collar
Opening a carrier beside an open car door
Punishing vocalisation, vomiting or toileting
Using essential oils without veterinary guidance
Assuming sedation and reduced fear are the same thing
Increasing journey length too quickly
Travelling only when something unpleasant is planned
Leaving a pet inside a parked vehicle

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my dog suddenly hate the car?

A sudden change may be associated with nausea, pain, ear disease, balance problems or a frightening event. Arrange a veterinary examination before restarting training.

Do puppies grow out of motion sickness?

Some improve as they mature, but repeated nausea can create a learned fear of the car. Early treatment and positive training may prevent the problem from becoming more established.

Why does my pet refuse treats in the car?

Refusing a normally valued treat may indicate fear or nausea. Reduce the difficulty and discuss persistent food refusal with your veterinarian.

Should I cover my cat’s carrier?

Many cats feel safer with part of the carrier covered. Keep ventilation clear and ensure the carrier does not become hot.

Can I let my cat roam inside the car?

No. A loose cat can hide under pedals, distract the driver or escape when a door opens. Use a secure, stabilised carrier.

Can I give my pet human travel medication?

Not without veterinary direction. Some human medications are unsuitable for pets, interact with other drugs or require very different dosing.

How long does car anxiety training take?

Mild cases may improve over several weeks. Severe or long-standing fear may require months of gradual work, medication or assistance from a qualified behaviour professional.

Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Car anxiety is rarely something a pet can simply “get over”. Nausea, fear and negative memories can combine until even the sight of the carrier or sound of car keys triggers distress.

Start with a veterinary assessment, prioritise physical safety and break the journey into tiny, manageable steps. With patience, positive reinforcement and appropriate medication when needed, many pets can become significantly more comfortable travellers.

Get Personalised Travel Support with ASK A VET™

Not sure whether your pet is frightened, nauseous or experiencing both? ASK A VET™ can help you prepare a safer, calmer travel plan.

Through the ASK A VET™ app, you can:

Discuss your pet’s travel symptoms with a veterinary professional
Share videos of behaviour before or during journeys
Track vomiting, drooling, panting and other warning signs
Get guidance about carrier training and gradual desensitisation
Prepare questions about anti-nausea or anxiety medication
Understand when an in-person veterinary examination is needed

Visit AskAVet.com or download the ASK A VET™ app for trusted veterinary support before your next journey.

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About the author

Dr Duncan Houston

Veterinarian · Founder of ASK A VET

Every ASK A VET article is written and reviewed by qualified veterinarians.

About Dr. Duncan →drduncanthevet

How to Calm Car Anxiety in Dogs and Cats: A Vet’s Guide to Stress-Free Travel