5 foolproof tricks to prevent your dog from getting car sick

Beach or mountains? You still haven't decided on your vacation destination, but that's the least of your worries: this time you're taking your dog with you, and you're happy...

But how can you prevent your dog from getting car sickness? Is this his first trip, and you don't want him to have a bad experience?

Keep reading, and you'll find 5 infallible tricks to prevent your dog from getting car sickness and ensure a pleasant journey.

 

The first thing you should know is that your dog cannot travel loose in the car, for the safety of all vehicle occupants and because the DGT regulations stipulate it. The dog must be secured in such a way that it does not bother the vehicle driver.

You can achieve this with a dog safety harness, which has a special piece that inserts into the seatbelt slot and gives them more freedom of movement than being in a cage or carrier.

 

Another good way to travel with your dog in the car is inside a carrier, but first you'll have to get them used to going inside: treats, patience, and their favorite toy will help with the task. It's preferable to do this a couple of weeks before the trip so they can get accustomed to it. Below, we describe the symptoms of car sickness in dogs.

 

Symptoms of motion sickness in dogs

These are the most evident symptoms that your dog gets car sick when traveling in the car:

• • Appears indifferent.
  • Drools excessively.
  • Yawns constantly.
  • Whines.
  • Vomits.
  • Shows restlessness.
  • Is inactive.

 

Common causes of motion sickness in dogs:

Do you know why dogs get car sick?

Motion sickness: Just as children tend to get car sick more than adults, the same happens with dogs and puppies. Younger ones experience motion sickness because the ear structure responsible for balance is not fully developed yet. Some dogs are able to overcome motion sickness with age, but others do not.

Stress: Another reason for motion sickness in dogs can be stress or anxiety, especially when the travel destination by car is the vet or the dog kennel during holidays.

 

So… How to prevent car sickness in dogs?

As we mentioned, stress and the final destination of the trip are usually the main reasons why your dog gets car sick. If your dog has had a negative experience or an emotional trauma after a car ride, they may associate trips with vomiting or anxiety.

Tips to prevent your dog from getting car sick:

1. Change their perception of car travel.

Your dog needs to feel that the car is an extension of your home and that they should feel comfortable there. The goal is that, before going on a trip, our dog gets used to getting in and out of the car without fear, so they associate the trip with something good. To achieve this, we can resort to strategies such as:

• Let your dog get in the car several times, sniff around, and get familiar with it.
• Place their favorite blanket and dog toys inside. Once your dog gets in and out with total confidence, it's time to take longer trips so they get used to the movement.
• Remember also that, for dogs, the comfortable temperature inside the car should not exceed 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit).
• In summer, be very careful with the dreaded heat stroke inside the car.

2. Make sure your dog has an empty stomach before the trip.

Most dogs don't get sick if they have an empty stomach. So you can try not to give them any food approximately two or three hours before the trip. If it coincides with their meal times, try giving them a small treat and a chew toy; that will distract them from the food.

3. Make frequent stops.

A good idea is to stop every two hours, just to stretch their legs, relieve themselves, and play a bit before getting back in the car. You can also take advantage of this time to give them ice or a little water during the break, but make sure they don't drink it too quickly or too much.

4. Turn off the air conditioning and open the windows.

It's good to let some fresh air into the car; it's also good to air out the car from time to time. Roll down the windows all the way and drive like that for a couple of minutes to refresh the atmosphere.

5. Apply natural remedies if all else fails.

Despite having told you not to let your dog ingest anything in the two hours before the trip, a couple of slices of natural ginger will calm their stomach and prevent nausea. There are also anti-stress drops available on the market with a sedative effect, which also prevent and avoid nausea and vomiting. Pheromones applied in a spray or on a collar calm them down quite a bit. Green tea extract is very effective against motion sickness.

As always, we recommend consulting a veterinarian if all these tips and tricks don't work for you; it's always best to get advice from a professional.

However, if your dog gets car sick every time they get in the car, and you can't take them in the end, here are some other options for leaving them in the care of someone.

Also, check out our blog on traveling by plane with a dog, where you'll discover more tips on traveling with dogs.

 

We hope we've helped you prevent your dog from getting car sick. We wish you many wonderful trips with your dog, and if you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below.

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