Motion sickness in dogs
Many dogs get motion sickness, puppies and young dogs particularly can have problems with traveling in vehicles. They often become stressed, feel uncomfortable, drool and may even vomit.
You can train the dog so that it gets used to riding in a vehicle, but it is important to do it in small steps.
Here are some suggestions for how you can try to train at home and make a gradual adaptation to car transport
- Spray pheromones (scents) in the car and in the cage. pheromones help make the dog calm and relaxed. There are several different variants, e.g. Adaptil and DAP are both available as a spray.
- There are also over-the-counter tablets with a similar effect, e.g. Zylkene and Anxitane. These products are sold over the counter at animal clinics and pharmacies.
- Start by just sitting in the car with the dog without going anywhere. Sit quietly stroking the dog and talk to the dog in a calm tone.
- Sit with the dog in the car, start the car, but don't go away. Repeat the same procedure several times.
- The next step is to start driving short distances to go somewhere that the dog likes and associates with positive and fun experiences, for example the forest. Avoid curves and excessive speed.
It may help to prevent the dog being able to see out of the side windows of the vehicle.
- If the dog easily gets nauseous and vomits in the car, then try to avoid feeding the dog 4-6 hours before the journey.
If none of the above measures work, there are prescription medications that can be helpful in cases of nausea and if the motion sickness problem is associated with anxiety in the dog. In order to have these medicines prescribed, you must book an appointment with a veterinarian for an examination of your dog and an assessment of which medicine may be best suited to your dog and your situation.