--- title: Car Sickness in Dogs on the Drive to the Kennel | Happy Paws url: https://happypawskennels.com/guides/car-sickness-in-dogs/ business: Happy Paws Kennels address: 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 phone: 707-678-6600 hours: drop-off and pick-up every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM type: Dog and cat boarding kennel on about 10 country acres; caring for pets in Dixon since 1971 rates: 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026 (dogs from $52 a night, cats $35 a night) --- - [Home](https://happypawskennels.com/) - [Guides](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/) - Car sickness in dogs on the drive to the kennel # Car sickness in dogs on the drive to the kennel Many dogs, especially puppies, get queasy in the car. Cornell suggests skipping food for 4 to 6 hours before a trip, building up with short rides, and asking your vet about anti-nausea medication if your dog drools or vomits. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) Most drives to Happy Paws are under 40 minutes, but a queasy dog can make even 20 minutes feel long. These steps help. ## What it looks like Signs of motion sickness include drooling, lip licking, yawning, restlessness, whining and vomiting, sometimes before any vomiting appears. Anxiety can look similar. Cornell's Riney Canine Health Center advises building a dog up with short practice trips, and AAHA notes that a veterinarian can prescribe an anti-nausea medication to give a few hours before travel. If the signs appear on every ride, ask your vet. ## Before you leave Cornell suggests not feeding your dog 4 to 6 hours before travel, while the CDC suggests feeding 3 to 4 hours before leaving, so ask your vet what suits your dog. Put the dog in a secure harness or crate, keep the car cool and well ventilated, and stop for a short walk if your dog is in distress. Plan a stop every two hours on longer trips. Never leave a dog alone in a closed car. ## Drive times to Dixon Free-flow drive times to the kennel at 6677 Midway Road are about 21 minutes from Davis, 21 from Vacaville, 25 from Woodland, 29 from Winters, 32 from Fairfield, 35 from Sacramento, 37 from West Sacramento and 48 from Elk Grove. Real traffic adds time, and Midway Road is a slow country road. See [Davis](https://happypawskennels.com/areas/davis/), [Vacaville](https://happypawskennels.com/areas/vacaville/) and [Sacramento](https://happypawskennels.com/areas/sacramento/) for route detail. If your dog is queasy, plan the morning window, when the roads are cooler. ## At the kennel On arrival, leave your dog in the car while you check in; staff carry in belongings and walk your dog to the run. A dog that feels sick on arrival may refuse the first meal, which is normal for many first-timers. Tell the staff if your dog vomited on the way, and give them any medication details. The [road trips with a dog](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/road-trips-with-dogs/) guide covers longer drives. ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, traveling safely with your dog](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/traveling-safely-with-your-dog-cars-planes-and-pet-friendly-stays) - [AAHA, preventing motion sickness](https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2016-09/sustain-the-human-animal-bond-by-preventing-motion-sickness/) - [CDC, pet travel safety](https://cdc.gov/healthy-pets/travel/) ### 2026 nightly rates - First Class kennel $72 - Business Class kennel $59 - Economy Class kennel $52 - Cat condo $35 All-inclusive: food, medications and walks. 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026. [All 2026 rates](https://happypawskennels.com/rates/) ### Visit or call 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) | Drop-off and pick-up, every day | 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM | | --- | --- | | Tours, every day (no appointment) | 9:00 to 11:00 AM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM | [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin) ### Related - [Road trips with a dog](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/road-trips-with-dogs/) - [Dixon](https://happypawskennels.com/areas/dixon/) - [Drop-off and pick-up](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/drop-off-and-pick-up/) - [Hot cars and dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/hot-cars-and-dogs-at-drop-off/) - [Hours and holiday closures](https://happypawskennels.com/hours/) ## Read next - [How to read boarding kennel reviews](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-to-read-boarding-kennel-reviews/) - [How much exercise does a dog need on a trip away?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-much-exercise-does-a-dog-need/) - [Can dogs get sunburned in Dixon summers?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/can-dogs-get-sunburned/) - [Boarding or day care](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/boarding-vs-day-care/) - [Use a day of day care as a trial run before a long trip](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/use-day-care-as-a-trial-run/) - [Why quick goodbyes at drop-off help](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/quick-goodbyes-at-drop-off/) - [Choosing a toy for a boarding stay](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/choosing-a-toy-for-a-boarding-stay/) - [How to read your dog's vaccine certificate before you upload it](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-to-read-a-vaccine-certificate/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) (every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2-5 PM) or see the [boarding FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/). ### How do I stop my dog being sick on the way to the kennel? Cornell suggests skipping food 4 to 6 hours before, short practice rides, and asking your vet about anti-nausea medication. ### How long is the drive to Happy Paws? About 21 minutes from Davis or Vacaville and about 35 from Sacramento, free-flow. Midway Road is a slow country road. ### Should my dog eat before the ride? Cornell says to skip food for 4 to 6 hours and the CDC says to feed 3 to 4 hours before. Ask your vet. ### Can I leave my dog in the car at drop-off? Yes, at check-in. Leave the air conditioning on in warm weather, and a staff member walks your dog in.