Travelling may cause anxiety in dogs, especially if they’re not very used to it. Such uneasiness may prevent you and your dog from enjoying your drive as you’d perhaps envisaged. Your furry friend may lie down in distress and refuse to pant and jump around as their norm. That’s an unpleasant experience you wouldn’t want to encounter during a trip. Here’s what to do if your dog gets carsick:

 

1. Take Them To A Dog-Friendly Cottage

A getaway trip with dogs is enjoyable if only you find a holiday home that allows you to have pets. This way, you get to enjoy the trip with your dog instead of leaving it bored back at home. Additionally, dog-friendly holiday destinations act as a welcome relief to a dog that gets car sick along the way. The relaxing atmosphere is enough to light up your dog’s mood if the trip makes them uneasy.

So, if  you’re heading to a popular holiday destination, like Cornwall, make sure to look for affordable dog friendly Cornwall cottages. Here are some factors to consider when choosing one:

• Whether it’s in the countryside or by the beach, choose the environment that your dog loves most.
• If there are other pet keepers around, let your dog run along with other dogs so they can rest and reduce anxiety.
• You might have three car-sick dogs yet your accommodation can only accept one dog. So, make sure to ask the number of dogs allowed in a cottage.
• Undoubtedly, some cottages are more affordable than others. Go for one that fits your budget, but without compromising on hygiene and comfort standards

Ultimately, for best results, strive to find a cottage that gives your pet a tranquil retreat to recover from car sickness.

2. Lower Your Car Windows

Cars generally generate enormous heat when you’re driving. If the windows are closed, an unpleasant scent may develop within the car’s interior, which may not be conducive for your dog. They have a strong sense of smell and will take in all the unpleasant odours. This may give them nausea during the road trip. A simple hassle-free trick is to lower your car windows to let in the fresh air. This also allows your dog to enjoy the outside views.

Another option for dealing with the unpleasant odours in the car is to bring along the dog’s favourite blanket, which carries a more pleasant scent. This makes them feel comfortable all along the journey.

Additionally, fasten your dog’s seatbelt harness to avoid too many up and down movements, which may cause nausea too.

3. Reduce Food Intake Before The Trip

Generally, too much food intake before travelling may make your dog feel like throwing up or defecating. This is because the vigorous shaking due to the bumpy roads churns the stomach contents and interferes with proper digestion. Thus, if you want to prevent your dog from vomiting, consider feeding it several hours before the trip begins. By the time they get into the car, the newly eaten food will have settled a bit in the stomach.

Similarly, if they happen to eat just before the trip, you could time them to know when they’re likely to go for poop breaks. This way, you can tell when to stop and take a short walk for them to feel comfortable and ease themselves.

4. Administer Car Sickness Medicine

If you’re far from home and your dog experiences car sickness, you could call your vet and explain the symptoms your dog is exhibiting. Common symptoms of motion sickness include:

•  Restlessness 
• Nausea and vomiting
• Drooling
• Cowering

Once you spot such signs and explain them to the vet, they can advise you on the kind of medicine you’re supposed to purchase. Take care not to purchase without first consulting an experienced vet. They’re best suited to assist you as they have the necessary experience to diagnose different pet illnesses. Giving the wrong medicine won’t help your dog. It may cause further complications and make the trip more miserable for you and your dog.

 

5. Practise With Short Trips

Before your big trip, you could first start with taking your dog for brief ride alongs, perhaps on your bicycle within your neighbourhood. Then, you can move on to your car and continue keeping it as short as possible for some time until your pet gets accustomed to traveling. 

Such try-outs allow you to assess your dog’s behaviour while in the vehicle. If they can’t stay put during a short trip, there’s no guarantee they’ll manage longer ones. But if they’re comfortable with the short trips, you can gradually increase the duration and distances until they’re immune to car sickness.

Conclusion

Adventures with your pet should be fun and exciting without mishaps, such as car sickness. So, if your dog gets car sick, you must act quickly to salvage the situation. Otherwise, the trip will end up being dull. Try implementing the five tips shared above and you’re sure to keep car sickness at bay.