How to Keep Your Dog from Getting Car Sick
Every dog owner has been there: you’re driving along and your pup starts making noises, panting heavily, and drooling. You soon realize that your pup is car sick, a common problem amongst dogs of all ages. While car sickness can be an unpleasant experience for both you and your pup, it doesn’t have to be something to fear. With the right preparation and knowledge, you can make sure that car rides are enjoyable experiences for everyone in the family.
What Causes Car Sickness In Dogs?
Car sickness occurs because of a mismatch between what your pup sees (the movement of the car) and what their inner ear senses (no movement). This discrepancy is why some breeds are more prone to car sickness than others—dogs with longer snouts tend to have a weaker sense of balance compared to those with shorter snouts. Fortunately, this means that even if your pup is prone to motion sickness, it won’t last forever—most pups outgrow their motion sickness by the time they reach adulthood.
How To Prevent Car Sickness In Dogs
Luckily, there are several things you can do to help prevent your pup from getting carsick. Here are some tips:
Preventing car sickness comes down to being prepared before you set out on any journey with your pup. Here are some tips that can help keep carsickness at bay:
• Feed them several hours before taking them out for a ride–if your pup hasn’t had time to digest their food yet, they may feel nauseous during the drive. No breakfast if you’re taking an early morning drive.
• Confine them in a covered crate so there is no room to pace around or try and crawl over or under the seats. Cover the crate so they are not seeing all of the motion out the windows.
• Keep windows cracked or open–allowing fresh air into the vehicle helps keep your pup from feeling confined or trapped in one spot.
• Don’t feed them while traveling–not only will this encourage nausea but it also increases the chances of choking or aspirating on food particles while traveling at high speeds.
• Distract them–diverting their attention away from the motion will help distract them from feeling ill. Consider bringing along toys or treats that they enjoy!
4) Try Essential Oils: Essential Oils can mitigate symptoms associated with car sickness in dogs such as nausea and vomiting.
Essential Oils To Soothe Car Sickness
Ginger and Digestive Essential Oil Blend will help settle your dog’s belly
Cedarwood, Lavender, and Vetiver work extremely well together to create a calming state of mind that can also help your dog settle.
I love the little silicone holders for essential oil bottles that you can hang on a crate to act as a diffuser for your dog. But you can also apply directly to your dog, use essential oils on a bandana, or make a misting spray for the blanket they lay on to help address the anxiety associated with not feeling well in the car.
No one wants their furry friend feeling sick during a car ride! Luckily, by following these tips you can help significantly reduce the chances of your pooch experiencing car sickness when traveling with you in the future. Taking it slow, providing distractions, opening windows for fresh air circulation, and trying essential oils should all help keep your pup comfy and content on long drives ahead!
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Read More About Helping Your Dog With Car Anxiety in Advance of your Trip