You’re excited for a road trip with your family and pooch. Everyone’s strapped to their seats, and your pet is securely harnessed when the trip begins. Just a few hours later, you stop by for some relaxation and snacks.
To your horror, you find that your pet has vomited all over the back of the car! Has it happened before? Just like humans, dogs and cats experience bouts of motion sickness, whether it is traveling by road, sea, or air.
The American Kennel Club states that nausea associated with motion sickness is most common among puppies. This is because their inner ear (controlling their sense of balance) is not fully developed. Besides vomiting, the Veterinary Centers of America (VCA) animal hospitals list the following symptoms of motion sickness among pets
- Pacing and whining
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy or lack of movement
- Excessive drooling
- Licking of lips or smacking
The moment you observe any of these symptoms, just pull your car over for a break. However, it is best to know some solid preventive tips that ease your pooch’s travel anxiety. In this article, we will talk about such tried-and-tested ways that will make their rides a little easier.
Limit Food before Travels
Much like humans, dogs’ and cats’ motion sickness problems may escalate due to the intake of large portions before traveling. If it’s a long trip, try to limit their meals to at least 8 to 12 hours before traveling.
This should be accompanied by several short breaks during the trip. Even if the road trip is short (a couple of hours), ensure that your pet is fed at least 4 hours prior. Feed them light, healthy meals that are less likely to produce nausea. This will also reduce the number of toilet stops along the way.
While you limit food, keep your pet sufficiently hydrated. Give them plenty of water to drink through spill-proof bowls and bottles.
Carry Anti-Vomiting Medication
Some pets never outgrow their issues of vomiting and nausea associated with motion sickness. Be it a short or a long-haul trip, stay on the safe side with FDA-approved anti-vomiting medication. Cerenia, or Maropitant Citrate, is the first FDA-approved veterinary tablet for motion sickness.
It can be given to pets over 11 weeks in case they experience the symptoms of car sickness. According to PetRx, this medication requires a veterinary prescription, and the correct dosage will depend upon the doctor’s evaluation.
Usually, this oral medicine takes at least an hour to control the symptoms of motion sickness, and its effect may last up to 24 hours. If your pet is prone to being car-sick, it’s best to carry a few tablets depending upon the trip’s duration.
Use Calming Products
Many pets (especially those new to car rides) experience travel anxiety. You can use pheromone calming collars and sprays that help ease the anxiety.
Dogs and cats produce pheromones – chemical compounds – to communicate with each other. These help them relax and calm their nerves. Synthetic pheromones in the form of calming sprays, wipes, collars, etc., mimic natural pheromones, but the effect is similar.
When used in combination, they help create a spa-like environment for your pet within the car itself. In the case of a calming spray, a spritz of 8 to 10 pumps at least 20 minutes before the car ride should help. You can also spray within your pet’s crate but don’t forget to repeat the process every 4 hours to retain the effect.
Create a Conducive Car Environment
Another way to reduce the anxiety associated with traveling is to make the car’s environment safe and familiar for your pooch. The first thing to do is to keep the car cool and quiet.
Just run the air-conditioner at least an hour before the drive and play some soothing, classical music. Secondly, it’s best to carry your pet in a carrier as most pets consider it to be their “safe space.” Also, include some familiar scent that reminds them of home.
This may be as simple as keeping a blanket or t-shirt inside your dog’s carrier and some special toys. The latter will help your pet to associate traveling with fun and games. In case the weather outside is breezy and cool, let the windows down for some fresh air.
Check the Crate’s Location
Even the location of your pet’s crate or carrier can make a difference while traveling. In case of a large pooch, you can securely harness them to the back of the car. However, small pets are most likely to benefit from being placed on the floor of the middle seat.
This has to do with the fact that this area is usually leveled and experiences the least amount of motion. Moreover, ensure that your pet’s crate is well-secured to further reduce the chances of sudden jerking or movements.
You can also invest in a crate with sturdy, solid sides that limit your pet’s field of vision. Finally, avoid having your pet look outside the windows as the world whizzing by can make their head spin.
The Bottom Line
There is no one definite cause of canine motion sickness. While puppies usually experience it due to an underdeveloped inner ear, adult dogs may have inner ear problems, travel anxiety, or a health condition (liver disease, pancreatitis, etc.) that causes nausea and vomiting.
If your dog is new to car rides, desensitize them by sitting together in a parked car. After they’ve sat for some time, reward them with toys or treats. Gradually, you can turn on the engine without driving the car until you start driving down the street and back.
Building up the driving time and distance will help your pet adjust to car rides. Plus, the first few times you stop anywhere other than home, ensure it’s a toy or treat shop your pet loves. With your patience and support, your pooch should overcome their travel anxiety and look forward to road trips.