You have the perfect adorable pup! He would be a great traveling companion, except for one thing… he gets car sick. But don’t give up just yet! There are many things you can do to help puppies with motion sickness.
Why do puppies get motion sickness?
No one knows for sure why dogs get motion sickness. But no one knows for sure why people get car sickness either! The most common theory is that the brain receives mixed signals – the inner ear which detects vestibular movement says you are moving, while the eyes say you are not moving.
What we do know is that puppies and young dogs tend to suffer from motion sickness more often than adult dogs. So it’s possible this is something your pup will outgrow as their vestibular system fully develops.
Until then, you need to make sure that his motion sickness doesn’t turn into travel anxiety. If your pup begins to associate being rotten with being in the car, he may develop an aversion to travel, even though he no longer has car sickness.
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How do you know if it’s motion sickness?
Motion sickness comes with some pretty recognizable signs, so it’s not too hard to figure out. If your puppy has these symptoms, he could have car sickness:
- Diarrhea
- Excessive drooling
- Hunched back or other rigid body posture
- Lethargy
- Licking lips or yawning
- Lips curled up
- Pace
- Panting
- Swallow frequently
- Vomiting (in some cases, but not all)
- Moans
- Big eyes
If you suspect your pup has motion sickness, it’s best to start with a trip to the vet. This can help rule out any underlying medical issues that might be mimicking the signs of motion sickness, such as an ear infection or high blood pressure.
When you’ve ruled out other causes, talk to your vet about herbal and pharmaceutical medications and supplements to help your pup. There are great options available that will relieve the symptoms of motion sickness, giving your pup time to overcome the condition without developing travel anxiety.
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What can you do to help?
There are some things you can do to help ease your puppy’s motion sickness:
- Try to travel when your puppy has an empty stomach. If that doesn’t work, some food or treats might reduce the risk of nausea. A little water is good too – staying hydrated is important after all.
- Take your pup for a nice walk before leaving to help him relax in the car. Anti-anxiety vests and vests for dogs use gentle compression or swaddle your pup and can also help keep him calm while you travel.
- Arrange your puppy so that it faces the direction of travel. Dr. Jennifer Jones Shults, DVM, CCRT, of the Pain Management and Rehabilitation Veterinary Hospital in Cary, NC, says, “The eye center of a puppy’s brain hasn’t really grown enough. developed so that he understands how to back up; they understand moving forward.
- Lower the windows a little. Equalizing pressure and bringing in fresh air helps some dogs feel better.
- If your pup isn’t big enough to see out the window, try a travel booster seat, which can help him feel stable and allow him to see out the window.
- If your pup gets car sickness from looking out of windows, try blocking his view of the outdoors with a covered crate, placing sun shades on the windows closest to him, or stretching a fitted sheet over him. the front and rear head restraints to create a “dog fort” in the back seat.
- Make frequent stops, not only to let your pup sniff and stretch his legs, but to give his brain a break from potentially conflicting sensory signals that could be causing his motion sickness.
- Start with short, frequent trips to happy destinations, slowly building his tolerance and enjoyment of being in the car.
- If your puppy has car sickness, stay calm. Upsetting you could easily add to your pup’s anxiety.
It takes a little more patience and understanding, but with your help, your pup will likely grow into a dog eager to hear the question, “Do you want a ride?”
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What to do if your dog still has motion sickness?
Having a sick dog in the car doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the holidays together. Here are some tips to make your trips a success for the whole family:
- Visit walkable, pet-friendly towns that are easy to navigate on foot and offer plenty of dog-friendly restaurants and activities.
- Opt for a dog-friendly resort and you’ll never want to leave the property! Look for amenities like hiking trails, water sports, and disc golf courses, as well as dog-friendly dining options.
- Beachgoers know there’s nothing better than grabbing a book, an umbrella and a towel and spending every day in the sand and surfing. Find the right beach, and your dog can join you!
- Stays don’t have to be a compromise. If you find that your dog really can’t travel long in the car without getting sick, find the nearest pet-friendly hotel to you, tell everyone you’re going, and spend a few days spoiling yourself and your best friend. with long walks, lazy siestas, room service and all-night movie marathons. It may not cover many miles, but it will be a trip you will never forget.
LEARN MORE ⇒ Plan a pet-friendly road trip
It can be disappointing to find out that your pup or dog has “car trouble,” but understanding the problem is an important step in finding relief. And while taking a long road trip might not be in your dog’s future, that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fantastic adventures together.
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