{"id":51480,"date":"2022-05-23T09:30:48","date_gmt":"2022-05-23T13:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=51480"},"modified":"2025-08-08T10:16:16","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T14:16:16","slug":"do-cats-get-car-sick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/do-cats-get-car-sick\/","title":{"rendered":"Do cats get car sick?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Like humans and dogs, cats can get car sick. You may want to take your pet with you on your travels while avoiding messy and stressful situations en route. Read on to learn how to treat and prevent motion sickness in cats.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can cats get car sick?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are a few reasons your feline friend might be having a rough time in the car. One reason is \u201cthe stress and anxiety many cats experience when traveling by car, as they generally don\u2019t do it often,\u201d says Megan Conrad, BVMS, a veterinarian with WellHaven Pet Health<\/span>. \u201cMotion sickness also happens because your pet\u2019s brain is getting conflicting signals from sensory organs like the inner ear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Is it dangerous for a cat to be car sick?<\/span><\/h2>\n

No one likes cleaning up vomit on vacation. Not only is it unpleasant\u2014but in your cats it can lead to additional health risks. \u201cMotion sickness is not fatal,\u201d Dr. Conrad<\/a> says, \u201cbut it can be extremely uncomfortable for your cat and cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.\u201d says Dr. Conrad. Vomiting can lead to dehydration, which can become dangerous for cats. Dizziness can lead to injury.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What to do if your cat gets car sick<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re on the road and your cat begins to feel uncomfortable, there are a few ways to help. \u201cIf your cat\u2019s motion sickness is mainly due to the inner ear\u2019s vestibular system being out of whack, it should get better once the motion of the vehicle stops,\u201d Dr. Conrad says. The car sickness may also clear up on its own within half an hour.<\/span><\/p>\n

You know your pet, so be sure to watch for signs of anxiety. \u201cIf stress is contributing to the problem, your kitty may start showing symptoms even before the car starts moving,\u201d Dr. Conrad explains. \u201cIf you notice your cat is panting or open-mouth breathing in the car, and the temperature is cool, it\u2019s likely a sign that they\u2019re stressed.\u201d Stress-induced car sickness will not necessarily get better once you\u2019re underway or with time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have a long car ride ahead of you, frequent breaks will prevent stress and break up the time in motion, which may reduce motion sickness. \u201cCats can ride in a car for long stretches of up to eight hours,\u201d says Chyrle Bonk, DVM, a veterinarian working with <\/span>Hepper<\/span><\/a>. \u201cHowever, they should be let out of their carrier every four to six hours to stretch.\u201d They will also need adequate water and a litter box.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prevent car sickness in cats<\/span><\/h2>\n

If your pet has a history of motion sickness, you will want to try to set them up for success on future car adventures. First make them comfortable in a good-fit cat carrier. It should be roomy enough for the cat to stand and turn around in, says Dr. Conrad.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s good to get them acclimated to the carrier before you need to travel. \u201cKeep the carrier in your cat\u2019s living area so it\u2019s a familiar sight, instead of only bringing it out for a car trip,\u201d Dr. Conrad recommends. \u201cOnce your cat is more comfortable with the carrier, have them sit in it in the car without going anywhere, then move on to short drives. Gradually increase the trip length.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This breaking-in period could take several days or even weeks, explains Dr. Bonk. It\u2019s important to include lots of rewards in these sessions. Additional tips for easing them into the carrier is putting their bedding or toys inside of it or putting a towel over it so they can have a hiding cave.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to acclimating your cat to its carrier, once traveling, you should keep the car quiet and cool. This will help keep them calm and relaxed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, consider traveling around your cat\u2019s feeding times. \u201cIf riding in the car makes your cat nauseated, withhold food before a trip,\u201d Dr. Conrad recommends. Dr. Bonk adds that you may need to withhold food for up to 12 hours before traveling in order to prevent vomiting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When to see a veterinarian\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

If none of these tips and tricks work, it\u2019s time to make an appointment with your cat\u2019s veterinarian to find a proper treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are some over-the-counter remedies that are safe for cats. They include:<\/span><\/p>\n