Car Sickness

Many dogs suffer from nausea and vomiting when they travel in a car. Initially the symptoms are due to the irregular motion which disturbs the balance organ in the inner ear. Moreover there is anxiety about being put into a strange moving environment. Thereafter the car may be associated with unpleasant experience and causing a vicious circle leading to nausea and vomiting.



The prevention and cure lies in making the whole car experience an enjoyable one for your dogs. You can try the following -

- For initial introduction to the car, you can place his favorite toy or food in the car and let me get into the car and take it.

- Take your dog out for very short rides in the car, which finish with a walk in the park or some other enjoyable experience.

- You can try feeding his favorite food while he is on board only if he appears to be happy and confident.

- Smoking the car should be avoided.

- In case of very long journeys, take frequent breaks and let the dog get fresh air and a small walk.

- When the weather is warm, make sure you have the air conditioning on and if required, you can provide a damp towel for the dog to sit on.

- The dog should be seated in such an area in the car that provides less jerks and vibration. Seat is always better than the floor.

- If the dog is new to the car and the travel is a long one you may consider giving a mild sedative about 30 minutes prior to the journey. However you must consult you vet for the appropriate medicine.

So the key to preventing car sickness is to make car travel a happy and enjoyable experience for your loved one.