Car sickness in dogs

Car sickness in dogs - car travel with dogs - dog article on Pets.ca

Many dog owners are familiar with the situation. You are cruising along in your car and you hear that familiar retching noise coming from the back seat. Before you can pull over and move the dog, he/she has already created a puddle of half-digested kibble on the upholstery.

Like people, dogs can get car sickness as well. Some dogs may get car sickness due to the fear of the place at the end of the car ride (i.e. the vet or groomer). Others may get sick due to genetic predisposition to car sickness. Regardless of the cause, it is an unpleasant experience for both the dog and the owner. Solving the problem involves preventative measures and desensitizing the dog to the experience of riding in a car.

First, some basic car safety tips should be considered on all car trips. All dogs should ride in a crate or in a separated area of the car (i.e. in the hatch area separated by a dog screen made specifically for cars). A loose dog can distract the driver and is very dangerous for the dog in case of an accident. If a crate is not available, at least restrain the dog with a doggie seatbelt to prevent him/her from being thrown around the car at sharp turns or during sudden braking. Doggie seatbelts do not offer as much protection as a crate in case of an accident, but it will at least keep the dog more restrained. Placing a blanket or old towels over the car’s upholstery will make clean up easier in case the dog does decide to vomit.

If you insist on riding with the dog loose in the car, keep the windows closed. Many dogs will try to stick their heads out the window or jump out if the window is open wide enough. It is dangerous to let your dog stick his/her head out the window because when the car is in motion, small rocks or objects can fly at incredible speeds at your dog’s head, possibly causing injury or even take out an eye.

Never allow a dog to ride loose at the back of a pickup truck. Dogs can be severely injured or killed by jumping out of a moving vehicle or being thrown from the vehicle during sudden stops or in an accident.

Car sickness is often associated with fearful behaviour. For example, the dog anticipates that the car will take him/her somewhere frightening, so he/she is terrified of being in the vehicle. If the dog has been carsick in the past, he/she may feel ill as soon as he/she gets into the car. The goal of therapy is to disassociate riding in the car from past fearful or unpleasant experiences.

If the dog only goes in the car when it is time to visit the vet, it is not surprising that the dog becomes very nervous and agitated whenever he/she is forced into a car. The first step is to just hang out in the car. Familiarize the dog with the car without actually starting the vehicle. Bring treats and toys and sit in the car with the dog to associate the car with positive things. Place the dog in his crate and put the crate in the car for only a few minutes. Let the dog ‘help’ you when you wash the car so he/she learns that it is okay to be around the car. Repeat this process over a few days, gradually increasing the amount of time that the dog is in the car. Continue until the dog is calm when the car starts up.

The first few trips should be short. Drive around the block for a few minutes and praise the dog lavishly at the end of each trip. The length of the car trips can be increased gradually, so you can begin taking the dog to the grocery store or to run errands. Take the dog on a car ride when bringing your dog to the dog park or other places he/she enjoys, so he/she associates the trips with positive rewards. It should not take long for the dog to realize that car trips are not always associated with negative experiences.

Some dogs are less likely to get carsick if they are allowed to see out the window. Try using a wire crate instead of a plastic carrier so the dog can see clearly out the windows. The sights outside the window may be enough to keep them distracted so they are not thinking about the nausea.

Dogs are more likely to get car sick if they have eaten just before the car ride. Fast the dog for 12 hours before a car ride to minimize the risk. Remember that young puppies cannot go for very long without food, so do not fast them for too long (i.e. puppies at 8 weeks of age should not fast for more than 4-5 hours). Take away the water about one hour before the car ride. However, during long car trips, ensure that the dog has access to water during pit stops, especially during the hot summer months. Remember to never leave the dog unattended in a car on a hot day. Even if it does not feel hot outside, a car can warm up very quickly if it is sitting in direct sunlight.

Gradually acclimatizing the dog to car trips will almost always eliminate the problem of car sickness. It is worth the time spent - for the comfort of both yourself and your dog. You would no longer feel limited to bring your dog out on excursions and you could begin to make many happy travel memories.

Additional information:
Traveling with pets

By Amy Cheung - Pets.ca writer