Here is my article on Car Sickness/Anxiety in Dogs.
It’s estimated that one out of five dogs suffer from motion sickness at one point in their lives. It’s not a subject we look forward to, but it is one that can usually be managed for the better. Often it takes trying several different products and methods to find one that works best. Sometimes as the pup ages, the motion sickness will disappear on its own.
PUPS FIRST RIDE:
-Keep a clean up kit in your vehicle, just in case. Paper towels, baby wipes for the pup, cleanup and disinfectant wipes for the vehicle, poop bags to contain the mess, and cleaner to quickly remove the smell. I use and recommend X-O Neutralizer Plus for the odor, it’s non toxic and all natural, sold by Jeffers Pet. It is a concentrate, I use it non-diluted.
-For the pups first ride in a vehicle having a blanket or T shirt which has the littermates and their mom’s scent on it may help sooth the pup. This is also helpful to have for the pups first night alone as well.
-Keep the vehicle cool and quiet, 60-65 degrees is ideal, with windows open if possible for plenty of fresh air.
-Give the pup lots of exercise before the ride.
-Calming music and relaxed energy from the people in the vehicle really helps. Be patient, getting upset about the pup throwing up is not going to help the situation going forward.
-Stopping every 10-15 minutes for a short walk often helps.
-Do several short trips instead of a single long one.
-Avoid twisty roads if possible.
PUPS FIRST RIDE:
-Keep a clean up kit in your vehicle, just in case. Paper towels, baby wipes for the pup, cleanup and disinfectant wipes for the vehicle, poop bags to contain the mess, and cleaner to quickly remove the smell. I use and recommend X-O Neutralizer Plus for the odor, it’s non toxic and all natural, sold by Jeffers Pet. It is a concentrate, I use it non-diluted.
-For the pups first ride in a vehicle having a blanket or T shirt which has the littermates and their mom’s scent on it may help sooth the pup. This is also helpful to have for the pups first night alone as well.
-Keep the vehicle cool and quiet, 60-65 degrees is ideal, with windows open if possible for plenty of fresh air.
-Give the pup lots of exercise before the ride.
-Calming music and relaxed energy from the people in the vehicle really helps. Be patient, getting upset about the pup throwing up is not going to help the situation going forward.
-Stopping every 10-15 minutes for a short walk often helps.
-Do several short trips instead of a single long one.
-Avoid twisty roads if possible.
CRATING - a secured crate is the safest option for a dog in a vehicle.
Because of the many different dogs and situations I’ll list possible options to try:
-Crated, with door facing forward
-Crated, with door facing backwards. Yes, some dogs do better facing backwards!
-Crated, no view through the crate door. The vehicle may need to be kept a bit cooler, with additional fresh air if the crate is fully covered.
-Elevate the crate if it sits low in the vehicle, so dog can see out.
-Sometimes the dog does better motion sickness wise in a body harness secured to the seatbelt and in a dog hammock, than in a crate.
FOOD AND WATER
-One hour before the trip allow the dog to have a small amount of food like crackers, ginger snaps, sugared ginger ( rinse excess sugar off before feeding) and peppermint may help.
FOOD AND WATER
-One hour before the trip allow the dog to have a small amount of food like crackers, ginger snaps, sugared ginger ( rinse excess sugar off before feeding) and peppermint may help.
-Make sure non of these products are the sugar-free version which contain XYLITOL.
-Many dogs really like the taste of Ginger, and will eat it readily.
-Some dogs do better by withholding the closest daily meal before a trip.
-Always allow room temperature drinking water for the dog up to one hour before trip. If the dog does vomit, it can cause partial dehydration. Allow small amounts of water given at intervals few minutes apart.
-Some dogs do better by withholding the closest daily meal before a trip.
-Always allow room temperature drinking water for the dog up to one hour before trip. If the dog does vomit, it can cause partial dehydration. Allow small amounts of water given at intervals few minutes apart.
-Avoid water that is very cold, as that can really upset an already questionable dogs stomach.
PRODUCTS TO TRY:
-Elizabethan Collar (cone) on the dog has been known to help prevent nausea, probably because it keeps the dog from moving their heads all around.
-Thundershirt and Thunder Ease spray are both highly recommended for calming.
-Anti-static strip mounted under the vehicle which drags along the ground to reduce static in the vehicle that may cause nausea.
-Wipe dogs fur in both directions with an unscented dryer sheet to help prevent static.
-Adaptil collars and spray produce scents that are calming
-Lavender aromatherapy.
-Quality CBD oil has been known to be very helpful.
-Mutt Muffs, which are ear protection for dogs.
-Calming Cap, which go over the dogs eyes. *Be sure the dog is well secured in the vehicle, because in the event of an accident they cannot see if they get loose.
-Weighted XDOG vest, gradually add up to 10% of the dogs body weight, excellent product for dogs who suffer from anxiety.
PRODUCTS TO TRY:
-Elizabethan Collar (cone) on the dog has been known to help prevent nausea, probably because it keeps the dog from moving their heads all around.
-Thundershirt and Thunder Ease spray are both highly recommended for calming.
-Anti-static strip mounted under the vehicle which drags along the ground to reduce static in the vehicle that may cause nausea.
-Wipe dogs fur in both directions with an unscented dryer sheet to help prevent static.
-Adaptil collars and spray produce scents that are calming
-Lavender aromatherapy.
-Quality CBD oil has been known to be very helpful.
-Mutt Muffs, which are ear protection for dogs.
-Calming Cap, which go over the dogs eyes. *Be sure the dog is well secured in the vehicle, because in the event of an accident they cannot see if they get loose.
-Weighted XDOG vest, gradually add up to 10% of the dogs body weight, excellent product for dogs who suffer from anxiety.
-NoMo Nausea Dog acupressure Band is a peppermint scented wrist band which when placed on the P6 pressure area, it is said to control motion sickness and stress related nausea, for medium to xl sized dogs. Tho I’ve never used it, the concept makes sense.
VETERINARIAN PRESCRIPTIONS:
-Always check with your Veterinarian for dosages and which product would be best for your dog. Dogs with inner ear infections or Vestibular disease are more prone to nausea.
-Antivert (meclizine Hcl) antihistamine used to treat nausea
-Xanax (alprazolam) calmative
-Desyrel (trazodone) calmative
-Cerenia ( maropitant citrate) helps prevent nausea
DESENSITIZE AND COUNTER CONDITION:
-Feeding daily meals in a non moving car may help the dog associate it with a positive experience. Gradually go to starting the car but not moving, then moving but only a few feet, then a very short drive of a couple blocks.
-Having the dog enter the car , then come out and do an activity they enjoy.
-Box Feeding Exercise may help desensitize the dog to riding in the vehicle. I have a detailed article explaining Box Feeding at my site.
-Solid basic obedience skills can really be beneficial to a dog who has anxiety.
-Training the Head Down/Double Down outside the car then transferring it to the vehicle can be very successful used on dogs with anxiety. I have an article on this.
-Calming exercises which encourage self control like PLACE, FOCUS, WAIT AND TAKE IT, and proper crate manners all play an important part in the overall mental state of the dog.
-Calming exercises which encourage self control like PLACE, FOCUS, WAIT AND TAKE IT, and proper crate manners all play an important part in the overall mental state of the dog.
OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION: Always consult your Veterinarian regarding use.
-Benedryl (Diphenhydramine) * NOTE* Read ingredients label, as some versions now contain the artificial sweetener XYLITOL, which is highly toxic to dogs!
-Kwells for kids (hyocin hydrobromide)
-Dramamine ( Dimenhydrinate)
-Composure by VetriScience works well for anxiety in dogs. The dosages recommenced on the package can often safely be increased, consult your Veterinarian for specific amounts for the breed and size of your dog.
-Bonine ( meclizine hydrochloride) is an antihistamine which is sometimes recommenced by breeders to be given to pups for the first six months of car rides to help prevent motion sickness. Again, always check with your Veterinarian before use.
-Benedryl (Diphenhydramine) * NOTE* Read ingredients label, as some versions now contain the artificial sweetener XYLITOL, which is highly toxic to dogs!
-Kwells for kids (hyocin hydrobromide)
-Dramamine ( Dimenhydrinate)
-Composure by VetriScience works well for anxiety in dogs. The dosages recommenced on the package can often safely be increased, consult your Veterinarian for specific amounts for the breed and size of your dog.
-Bonine ( meclizine hydrochloride) is an antihistamine which is sometimes recommenced by breeders to be given to pups for the first six months of car rides to help prevent motion sickness. Again, always check with your Veterinarian before use.
More articles on dog training and care available at my site below, which is open to the public and free of charge. ❤️🐺❤️
No comments:
Post a Comment