Dramamine for Dogs: Dosage Chart & Calculator
Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine Original) is used off-label for car sickness in dogs. The published veterinary range is about 4–8 mg/kg every 8 hours, given 30–60 minutes before travel.
Enter your dog's weight to see the published reference range. Used for motion sickness on car or boat trips.
Dramamine dosage chart for dogs by weight
dimenhydrinate 4–8 mg/kg, every 8 hours, 30–60 minutes before travel. Tablets rounded to quarters and kept inside the range. Reference only: confirm with your vet.
| Dog weight | mg range | Dramamine Original, 50 mg | Dramamine for Kids chewable, 25 mg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lb (2.3 kg) | 9.1–18 mg | 0.25 | 0.5 |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 18–36 mg | 0.5 | 0.75–1.25 |
| 15 lb (6.8 kg) | 27–54 mg | 0.75–1 | 1.25–2 |
| 20 lb (9.1 kg) | 36–73 mg | 0.75–1.25 | 1.5–2.75 |
| 30 lb (13.6 kg) | 54–109 mg | 1.25–2 | 2.25–4.25 |
| 40 lb (18.1 kg) | 73–145 mg | 1.5–2.75 | 3–5.75 |
| 50 lb (22.7 kg) | 91–181 mg | 2–3.5 | 3.75–7.25 |
| 60 lb (27.2 kg) | 109–218 mg | 2.25–4.25 | 4.5–8.5 |
| 70 lb (31.8 kg) | 127–254 mg | 2.75–5 | 5.25–10 |
| 80 lb (36.3 kg) | 145–290 mg | 3–5.75 | 6–11.5 |
| 100 lb (45.4 kg) | 181–363 mg | 3.75–7.25 | 7.5–14.5 |
For large dogs, vets often stay at the low end of the range or cap a single dose. Your highlighted row follows the weight you entered above.
How "mg per kg" dosing works
Dramamine "Less Drowsy" is meclizine, a different drug with a different dose; this calculator does not cover it. Ask your vet which to use.
Vets dose by body weight because the same amount of drug is spread through a bigger or smaller body. Drag the weight to see how the reference range and the number of tablets move together, and why a tablet sized for a 70 kg adult human can be a big dose for a small pet.
Range 54.4–108.9 mg = 1.25–2 tablets of Dramamine Original, 50 mg. For comparison, a typical adult human dose is based on about 70 kg.
Warnings before giving Dramamine
- Drowsiness and dry mouth are expected; some dogs become agitated.
- Your vet can prescribe maropitant (Cerenia), which is licensed for motion sickness in dogs.
- Check chewables for xylitol.
Related calculators
Questions owners ask
How much Dramamine can I give my dog?
The reference range for dimenhydrinate is about 4–8 mg/kg every 8 hours. A 25 lb (11 kg) dog comes to roughly 45–90 mg. Confirm with your vet, and note that "Less Drowsy" Dramamine is a different drug.
Dramamine dosage chart for dogs by weight
At 4–8 mg/kg of dimenhydrinate: a 10 lb dog is about 18–36 mg, 20 lb about 36–73 mg, 40 lb about 73–145 mg, 60 lb about 109–218 mg. The chart on this page converts each weight into 50 mg tablets and 25 mg chewables. Confirm the dose with your vet.
Can I give my dog Dramamine Less Drowsy (meclizine)?
Meclizine is a different antihistamine with a different dose. Some vets do use it for motion sickness, but this calculator only covers dimenhydrinate (Dramamine Original), so ask your vet for a meclizine dose.
Is Dramamine or Benadryl better for car sickness in dogs?
Dimenhydrinate is essentially diphenhydramine combined with a mild stimulant. Vets often prefer a licensed anti-nausea drug such as maropitant for dogs that get sick on every trip.