Digestive Issues While Traveling: Preventing and Soothing Them in Dogs

New water, new food, the stress of the trip: travel shakes up a dog’s digestion. A few simple precautions prevent most short-lived digestive upsets.

This article is for information only and does not replace advice from a veterinarian.

Common causes

While traveling, diarrhea or vomiting often comes from a change of food or water, from stress (new place, the trip itself), from motion sickness, or from swallowing something new (scraps, stagnant water). Most cases are mild and short-lived.

Prevention

Stick with your dog’s usual kibble (pack the amount you’ll need): avoid any abrupt change of diet. Offer water you know or bottled water in areas where tap water is questionable. Don’t serve a big meal right before hitting the road; a light meal a few hours before departure is better.

Soothing a mild upset

For mild diarrhea with no other signs, a short fast (a few hours without food, keeping water available) followed by a gradual return to easily digestible food often helps. Watch the hydration. On the other hand, if symptoms persist, recur, contain blood, or come with lethargy, it’s time to see a vet.

Sources

See our guide to feeding and hydrating your dog while traveling. General recommendations; consult a vet when in doubt.