Pet Travel Tips

5 Tips for Traveling with a Dog that Gets Motion Sickness

 

If you've ever suffered with motion sickness, you know how miserable you feel and even when the car ride stops. So that's why all pet lovers can sympathize with our beloved dogs if they have anxiety about traveling in a car or get motion sickness when they join you on a car ride.

Fortunately there are a number of things you can do to make the next trip with your pup run more smoothly for you and your four legged friend.

Pack a sick kit - Pack towels, plastic bags, dog enzyme cleaner, and water to clean and water for your dog to drink in case your dog does get sick. Give them some time to recover with fresh air and water.

Travel on an empty stomach - Just like you, nausea is always worse on a full stomach for dogs. On the day you'll be traveling, be sure to reduce or skip your dog's morning meal, but be sure to offer water.

Keep the car well ventilated - The key for helping your dog feeling well while traveling is keep the air moving in the car. While you are nice and cool in the driver's seat, the temperature might be much higher in the back of the car. Try lowering the windows a few of inches to allow the fresh air into the car. Even if you are a little chilly, the cool, moving air may help reduce your dog's nausea and discomfort.

Pull the sun shades - While the scenery might be beautiful, looking out the windows with the scenery passing by may actually be triggering your dog's motion sickness. To eliminate this try to limit your dog's view by pulling the sun shades or hanging blankets or towels around the seat your dog will be traveling in. Just be sure to not block your view. If your dog travels in a crate, you can hang a thin blanket or towel over the crate.

Talk to your vet about medication - There are several medications that are safe for your dogs to take that will help keep your dog calm and can prevent motion sickness.