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My dog pants and shakes in the car. Is it anxiety or something else?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Border Collie | Female | spayed | 8 years old | 35 lbs
Keesha, she is actually a Mcnab, loves car rides more than anything. I've had her since she was 1.5 years old, and lately I have noticed that she is panting and sometimes shaking at the same time when we take car rides now. I can have the air on cold or hot or even off, and I still get the same reaction. Nothing traumatic has happened to her, just started randomly one day and now she does it every time. If it's anxiety, I have no clue what it would be about. What could it be?
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner
Published on January 22nd, 2018
There was recently a study that revealed that a significant number of cases of what we thought was anxiety in the car may actually be nausea and the clinical signs resolved with anti-nausea medication given before car rides. So, it would be worth discussing anti-nausea options with your vet. There is a prescription medication called Cerenia that works very well, but there are also some other options. If that doesn't help, then I would discuss anti-anxiety medications with your veterinarian to help break the cycle of her anxiety. Finally, some dogs will pant and shake from excitement, so that would also be an option. It might take some trial and error, but hopefully you can get Keesha back to enjoying her car rides.
Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpfulRelated Answers from Veterinarians
Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 3rd, 2019
I am sorry to hear about Coal! Sounds like he has developed some anxiety about car rides! There are some over the counter products that can be helpful such as Adaptil spray https://www.adaptil.com/us/Products/ADAPTIL-Travel , Thundershirts https://www.thundershirt.com/, and calming supplements like Composure or Zylkene. Training can also help which you can read about at https://www.petcoach.co/article/car-sickness-fear-of-riding-in-cars/ and in severe cases mediation from your vet can be helpful as well.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Amber W
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on December 11th, 2017
Pearl is very cute! I would think a recent scary or traumatic experience with a car ride may have caused the change. Or Pearl may be developing nausea (car sickness) that she has not had before.
You could try an Adaptil collar for Pearl as this may help reduce anxiety for car rides. You may also want to talk to your veterinarian about Cerenia which is an anti nausea medication that can be used for car sickness.
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!1Pet Parents found this answer helpful