Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My puppy vomited after car ride. Is she carsick? When to see a vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | unspayed | 1 month and 17 days old

Hello doctor, I just got my new GSD female puppy, she is joyful and friendly. But few hours ago she consumed large amount of water suddenly after a swing in car. After that her breathing rate was increased and she vomited four times in small amounts. Now she is sleeping and breathing is normal. Is there anything to worry, do I need to visit veterinary hospital. Please guide me through this.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 25th, 2020

Hello. It sounds like your puppy just got carsick. If she feels better after waking, & is able to hold down normal amounts of food & water, then she should be fine. If she continues to act unwell, do see your veterinarian as soon as possible. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 29th, 2017

    Probably she had some motion sickness. But the sickness may have been dietary related or possibly related to a gastrointestinal infection/inflammation. I would suggest to withhold food for the next 8-12 hours and then start feeding with a bland diet based on boiled chicken and rice in small portion every 6 hours for the following 48hours. Then gradually reintroduce the normal diet over 5 days. I would definitively recommend a veterinary check up if the signs persist or you notice diarrhoea, more vomiting, lethargy or inappetence. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
9 week old puppy was sitting in the back seat of my car. When I got out, I realized she had thrown up aprox. 10 pieces of food she had eaten earlier. Food was still in its original shape. We're still in the process of vaccinations so aren't sure if s
Hi and thanks for using Boop by Petco! If the food was thrown up mostly undigested this is likely more regurgitation. My suspicion is this is probably more just from car sickness. If Nittany is acting otherwise normal then I would suggest feeding her a small bland meal (boiled chicken and sweet potato) later today and then resuming her normal diet tomorrow. Dogs with parvo usually have both vomiting and severe diarrhea so I think it's unlikely this is what is going on with Nittany. However, if her vomiting persists or diarrhea, lethargy or inappetance develops then you should schedule a visit with a veterinarian.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I just bought a puppy today, she seemed fine when we picked her up but has progressively gotten more congested sounding since we got home. We had a 5 and a half hour drive from Ohio to Kentucky and she threw up twice. Once after being in the car abou
Poor pup! Car rides can make puppies pretty carsick, however if she is still sounding congested and is also continuing to have symptoms of illness such as more vomiting or inability to vomit or defecate, I would bring her to a vet ASAP. They can rule out any issues such as aspiration from the vomiting, GI problems, illnesses, etc and get started on helping Lila feel better.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My german shepard puppy has been vomiting on and off since this morning. Shes been acting normal otherwise (playing with my other dog, cuddles, etc). There is no blood in her vomit or stool. Her stool is same as usual. Her gums are pink. Shes been ab
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Eve! I would with hold water and ice chips for 4 hours. If she still vomits when that is stopped or when you resume the ice chips then she should see a Vet today or first thing in the morning. Puppies of Eve's age can get dehydrated quickly if she isn't holding anything down. If she stops vomiting continue doing small amounts of water and ice chips. Try not to feed her for 8-10 hours after the last vomit. Feed a bland diet if boiled chicken or hamburger with rice. Feed 1 cup per 20 lbs per day as small frequent meals. Again if the vomiting resumes with feeding she should be seen. Causes of vomiting are: intestinal parasites, viral or bacterial infections, dietary indiscretion, foreign body, food allergy/intolerance, new food/treat/table food. I hope this helps and I wish Eve a speedy recovery!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My puppy just threw up what seams to be all of her digested food from earlier. She did eat some of her poop and something (most likely human food) off of the floor prior to vomiting. She is napping now as she was playing before she threw up, but whil
Thank you for using Boop by Petco! It is possible that Ciroc ate a little too quickly or greedily, causing her to vomit. However, in puppies, vomiting can be caused by parasites and dangerous viral infections. I recommend keeping an eye on Ciroc for continued vomiting, loss of energy/appetite, and diarrhea. If any of these signs occur, she should be seen by a vet ass soon as possible. I hope this helps and that all is well!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My german shepard lab 3 month old puppy threw up in her first car ride with me, any way I can stop or minimize these in the future?
Congratulations on your new puppy Daisy! Most puppies will out grow car sickness. There is a drug called Cerenia your vet can also prescribe that is given ahead of time and works very well. Please feel free to post any additional questions!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My puppy ate a ton in one sitting and he's 6 ish weeks old and I'm worried because he's been in the car with us for about half hour and he's puking up a little bit at a time but he's puked about 6 times ...
Jaxx is very cute! I'm sorry he isn't feeling well. Jaxx could be car sick, as some puppies and dogs do get car sick when they take car trips with their owner. This may be the case since he did eat a very large meal prior to the trip. However, I would be concerned that something else could be going on and causing him to vomit, such as intestinal parasites, bacterial or viral infection (like parvovirus), a congenital problem, or eating something he shouldn't have and having general intestinal inflammation. I would recommend taking him to your veterinarian as puppies this young and small can get dehydrated quickly and become ill very quickly. After an exam your vet should be able to help you get him back on tract and feeling better.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello. My puppy, Liberty will be 2 months on tomorrow, August 21st. This morning, she vomited. It was yellowish in color. She is still the playful little Maltipoo she has always been. She only vomited that one time. Is there anything I should be conc
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! I understand your worry! I would just watch her if it was only one time and she is acting fine! If she is eating and holding that down and water that is also good news. If she continues to vomit or becomes lethargic than try to get her seen sooner. In that case, fast her for 6-8 hours then start a bland diet of boiled chicken or hamburger with rice as small frequent meals. Feed 1 cup per 20lbs. I hope this helps and good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 2 year old dog was exposed to parvo a week ago, today she threw up in my car (possibly car sick?) but has had normal poop and has been acting normal since. I am wondering if this is cause of concern, as I will absolutely take her to the vet but wo
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Daisy. If she is fully vaccinated against parvo (and is up to date with her boosters), then she will be protected and there is no need to worry. If she is not up to date on her vaccines, then this is a concern. The incubation period is typically 3-5 days, so I would expect a week on, she would have had symptoms of it by now, but it can be up to 14 days. I suspect that it may be she is car sick. I can give you a home remedy for her that may help. Withhold food for 12-24 hours, then feed a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in her normal diet. If the vomiting continues in the absence of food, she vomits the bland diet, develops diarrhea, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, she will need to see a vet right away. Best of luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello. My puppy (3months 2 weeks) has had diarrhea since get car sick on saturday. We tried rice and chicken yesterday with one normal pass all others still diarrhea. Seems to us he is not dehydrated after testing nose wetness, mucus in mouth and ski
If the diarrhea has continued even with the bland diet, the next best step is a visit to your vet. This should be done anyway with a new puppy to get an initial wellness exam and start on vaccines. You will want to bring in a sample of Cairo's stool to check for parasites and common illnesses that can be causing the diarrhea. Other causes can include stress since he just came home with you, GI upset, getting into something he shouldn't have, illness, etc, so a complete exam is a good idea to rule these out. Until you can get to the vet, continuing the bland diet may help keep his stools more consistent. If he shows any new signs of illness such as vomiting, dehydration, lethargy, loss of appetite, etc, he should be seen by your vet right away.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Last night I took my dog in the car and she started shaking and she threw up 3 times. I took her home and she went to bed over night but is still shaking and crying softly this morning. She does have separation anxiety and that was also her first car
Probably she had some motion sickness. But the sickness may have been dietary related or possibly related to a gastrointestinal infection/inflammation. I would suggest to withhold food for the next 8-12 hours and then start feeding with a bland diet based on boiled chicken and rice in small portion every 6 hours for the following 48hours. Then gradually reintroduce the normal diet over 5 days. I would definitively recommend a veterinary check up if the signs persist or you notice diarrhoea, more vomiting, lethargy or inappetence. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored