Car sickness in dogs

Car sickness in dogs is a common problem: about one in five dogs suffers from it. With carsickness, a dog gets nauseous in the car and may start drooling or even vomiting. For both dog and owner, this is of course absolutely no fun! In this blog, we will therefore take a closer look at the cause of car sickness in dogs and give you 10 tips on how to reduce or even solve car sickness in your dog.

What is the cause of car sickness in dogs?

As in humans, car sickness in dogs has to do with the balance organ. Car sickness is more common in younger dogs than in adult dogs. One possible cause of car sickness in young dogs may be that the balance organ is not yet fully developed. In addition, for puppies and young dogs, a car ride is of course unusual: the crazy and unexpected movements, stress and excitement can cause nausea in the dog. Fortunately, most young dogs naturally grow over their car sickness as they get used to driving, but a number of dogs (like some humans) unfortunately continue to suffer from nausea due to car sickness.

How can I tell if my dog is suffering from car sickness?

Symptoms of dogs experiencing nausea due to car sickness include:

• Wheezing or whining
• Panting
• Trembling
• Pacing or just restlessness
• Excessive drooling
• Smacking or licking of the lips
• Gagging or vomiting
• Diarrhea

How can I prevent car sickness in my dog?

A dog with car sickness experiences a lot of stress during a car ride, so driving is often associated with an unpleasant experience. As such, you can imagine that this will go from bad to worse if nothing is done about it. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce and, in most cases, even resolve car sickness in a dog. Below we give you 10 tips:

Tip 1: Practice makes perfect, but start small
The solution to car sickness in a dog is simply training. However, start slowly and build up the training sessions slowly. For example, start by putting the dog in the car, starting the engine and staying seated for a few minutes. When this goes well, repeat the process at a later time and go one step further by driving down and up the driveway, for example. In between, of course, reward the dog exuberantly with healthy reward snacks for good behavior. The next step could be to drive around the street and so you can build up the travel time longer and longer.

Tip 2: Learn young is done old
Preferably start practicing driving at as young an age of the dog as possible. The earlier you start training, the easier the dog will get used to driving.

Tip 3: Make the dog feel at ease in the car
It is important to teach the dog that the car is a safe place for him. Therefore, preferably let him get into the car by himself and do not force anything when the dog refuses to go into the car. A special carrier for in the car, a safety harness or a crate (provided the dog is used to this) can help the dog feel more comfortable in the car. In some dogs, car sickness is worse when they are transported in the trunk of the car. A solution could then be to transport the dog in the back seat or in the front of the car (note: of course, do this only in a safe and permitted way!).

Tip 4: Do not let the dog with car sickness eat before a car ride
It is advisable not to feed a dog with car sickness just before a car ride. This is because a more empty stomach reduces nausea and prevents having to clean up vomit. Therefore, take the dog's food with you and feed it at the destination. Do make sure the dog continues to drink plenty of water.

Tip 5: Keep the car cool
Make sure it doesn't get too hot for the dog in the car. Therefore, always leave a window ajar or turn on the air conditioner for some fresh air.

Tip 6: Take a blanket or cuddly dog's toy with you in the car
A dog's own blanket or stuffed toy provides a familiar scent in an exciting place.

Tip 7: Offer special travel toys.
Giving the dog new toys that he can only play with when traveling helps him associate traveling with fun.

Tip 8: Take regular breaks
By scheduling regular stops during the trip, you give the dog space to stretch his legs, take a pee and have a drink. This way, the dog will have a chance to relax for a while during the trip.

Tip 9: Never leave a dog with car sickness alone in the car
A dog with car sickness experiences a lot of stress. So never leave him alone in the car, even for a short period of time or with the windows open. This will only worsen the dog's stress.

Tip 10: Provide positive experiences
If your dog has positive memories of driving a car, chances are he will automatically start to like it! Therefore, go (especially the first few times) to a nice place where you can take your dog for a walk, play or swim so that the dog associates driving with something fun.

Medication for car sickness in dogs

In case you have already spent a lot of time in training but your dog continues to suffer from car sickness, there are medications available at the veterinarian's office for car sickness. One example is Cerenia, an anti-nausea medication for dogs. There are also many different natural remedies available. Always consult with your veterinarian first to see if your dog qualifies for medication against car sickness and which drug is best for your dog.

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