Car sickness is a common issue for many dogs, and it can occur for a variety of reasons. In most cases, young puppies get sick due to the motion of the vehicle. This is in addition to any stress or excitement they may be feeling. Also, the parts in young pups’ ears that are involved in maintaining balance aren’t fully developed, which is another reason for the discomfort they feel while in moving vehicles.
That being said, adult dogs can also get carsick. When they experience any kind of unusual movement, the fluid in their ears moves around. This fluid normally helps with keeping a dog’s orientation, but if it’s moved around too much, it can cause dizziness and motion sickness. To make matters worse, adult dogs can become anxious during travel due to the overwhelming stimuli of being in a car, adding to the discomfort they feel.
If a dog isn’t used to car rides, they can get stressed or sick. When this happens, dogs whine, cry, pace around, excessively drool, appear lethargic, or vomit. If you want your canine pal to accompany you on trips more frequently without getting sick, you need to help them overcome the anxiety and stress associated with car rides. Here are some ways of doing so:
Properly Secure Your Pet in the Vehicle
When pups become anxious or scared, they tend to move around a lot to release pent-up energy. If they do this in a moving car, they can end up getting even dizzier. And if your dog isn’t secured with a seat belt, harness, or car seat, any sudden turns or movements can jostle them around, making them feel even more nauseous.
If you have a small breed of dog, try securing your fur baby in a pet crate. It will also limit your dog’s field of vision, potentially reducing nauseousness. For bigger pups, keep them in place by using a safety harness or looping their leash around your car’s seat belt. You can also check wholesale dog collars suppliers and see if they offer dog collars with special leashes that you can attach to the seat belt lock. Such dog accessories allow your fur baby to sit, stand, and lay down with lots of legroom in the back seat.
Condition Your Dog for Car Rides
If your dog has never been or is rarely ever in a moving vehicle, car rides are a whole new experience that might take some time for them to get used to. To help condition your dog to being in a moving vehicle, slowly introduce them to the new environment over some time until they become accustomed to being inside a car.
Start with putting your fur baby in the car a few minutes a day without turning on the ignition. Just sit there with your furry friend and give them occasional praises and gentle petting for staying put. Do this training every day until your dog starts showing enthusiasm when you tell them you’ll be going into the car.
Once your canine companion has gotten used to sitting in the car, try to take things a step further. With your fur baby secured in the back seat, drive around the block or take short trips to places your dog associates with pleasant experiences or memories, such as a park you often take them to. This can help them associate car rides with fun experiences rather than stressful ones.
Let Your Pup Stay in the Middle Back Seat
Once your canine pal has become more familiar with car rides, you can let them stay in the middle back seat instead of in a pet crate. This is the best place for a dog to stay in a vehicle because it will encourage them to keep their eyes forward rather than focusing on the blurry, disorienting scenery from a side window. As mentioned, make sure to secure your pet with a car harness, seat belt, or car seat to keep them from getting jostled around while you’re driving.
Don’t Feed Your Dog Close to Travel Time
In many instances, recently-fed dogs can become more nauseous than pets that were fed several hours before a car ride. Having said that, you may find it helpful to adjust your pup’s mealtimes if you plan to take them on a trip later that day. If possible, consider withholding food 12 hours before you travel with your canine companion. Because their tummies won’t be too full, this can keep them from feeling nauseous when in a moving vehicle.
Let Fresh Air into the Vehicle
If you can, leave at least one window open to allow fresh air into your car. The scent from outside can help your pup feel a little better in case it’s feeling dizzy. When rolling your window down, remember to keep your dog secured to the back seat with a pet harness or seatbelt. Otherwise, your furry pal might get so excited from seeing outside scenery that they may just jump out of the window.
Also, keep the window opening narrow. It will let your fur baby get a whiff of fresh air while preventing them from hopping out. At the same time, the narrow opening can keep random flying debris—such as tree branches, leaves, or small pebbles—from entering the vehicle and potentially injuring your pooch.
Many dogs get car sick, regardless of their age. Fortunately, the methods mentioned above can help your furry friend become more accustomed to car rides and avoid motion sickness. As you try out these suggestions, remember to be patient with your pup’s progress. Over time, they will get used to staying in the vehicle and won’t show signs of anxiety or experience nausea. Eventually, you can start taking more trips in the car with your beloved canine in no time.