If your dog experiences motion sickness, it can make car trips unpleasant for both of you. He won’t enjoy feeling nauseous, and you certainly won’t like cleaning up if he vomits.
Causes of Motion Sickness
There are two main processes in the brain responsible for causing your dog to feel ill during travel:
- Motion affects the vestibular system in his inner ear, which then influences the part of his brain responsible for vomiting.
- The vomiting center of the brain is also directly affected by the increase in neurotransmitter chemicals that occurs with movement.
As a result, your dog may become unhappy, nauseous, and possibly vomit.
Many dogs outgrow motion sickness. It seems that the immature structures in the ears of puppies make them more prone to becoming ill during travel. If your dog hasn’t outgrown it, however, there are several ways you can help him.
Managing Your Trip to Reduce Motion Sickness
When traveling with your dog, consider rolling the window down a few inches. This helps equalize the air pressure inside the car with the outside, which may reduce nausea.
If possible, provide him with a seat where he can look out the window and see where he’s going. Don’t compromise on safety; make sure he is restrained in the car, either in a harness or a crate.
Whether or not you should feed your dog before a car trip depends on trial and error. Some dogs do better when traveling on an empty stomach, while others prefer a light meal a few hours before the trip. See which option works best for your dog.
Medication for Motion Sickness
Your vet can prescribe medication to reduce nausea and vomiting during travel. Keep in mind that some medications may work better than others for your dog, so you may need to try a few before finding one that is effective.
- Antihistamines are inexpensive and can ease the symptoms of motion sickness for several hours. They are safe and affordable, with the main side effects being a dry mouth and drowsiness.
- Cerenia (maropitant) is a newer drug that may not reduce nausea but can help stop vomiting.
- If you prefer natural remedies, ginger can help settle your dog’s stomach. Try giving ¼ teaspoon of grated fresh ginger before a trip. Alternatively, you can use ginger capsules or gingernut biscuits. Your dog will likely be more willing to eat the gingernut biscuits than fresh ginger.
- A few drops of lavender oil on a cloth or washer can be placed in the car with your dog.
- Dog-appeasing pheromones, which are chemicals produced by a female dog while feeding her puppies, help relax her babies. These chemicals have been isolated and can reduce stress in dogs.
Behavioral Modification for Treating Motion Sickness
You can help retrain your dog to become more comfortable traveling in the car. While it’s not a quick fix, it can lead to a permanent reduction in his symptoms. Be patient with this process.
Start by letting your dog explore the car and sniff around. Once he’s comfortable with this, invite him into the back seat for some positive attention. Over the next few days, begin feeding him his meals in the car so he associates it with positive experiences.
Next, encourage him to get into the car, close the doors for a few seconds, and then reward him with a treat before letting him out. When he’s relaxed about being inside, start the ignition, reward him, and quickly turn it off. If at any point your dog shows signs of stress, return to the previous step and repeat it. The goal is to make the car a relaxing and enjoyable space for him.
As your dog becomes more comfortable, gradually increase the time and distance of your car trips. Start by driving down your driveway and back into the garage. If that goes well, drive a little further before returning home. Slowly build up the distance until your dog can travel a few miles without stress. At this point, you can interrupt the journey by visiting fun destinations, such as the beach or a park.
Conclusion
Motion sickness can make travel with your dog frustrating and messy, possibly deterring you from taking him on outings. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but many dogs will respond to some of the above strategies.
