Dog Motion Sickness
Dog motion sickness can cause a dog to vomit and hyperventilate. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of car sickness
in dogs.
Most dogs long for a ride in the car, but some young dogs become sick when traveling by car (also by boat or air). They suffer from motion sickness, which is a feeling of
being ill and disoriented that is associated with motion.
Canine motion sickness is caused by overstimulation of the labyrinth in the inner ear. In young puppies, their inner ears are still developing, and can be overly-sensitive to
motion.
Car sickness in dogs can also be caused by mental reasons. Some dogs may get too nervous or excited to get on a car, especially if they are not used to car rides. Other
dogs may not like being confined in a cage while in the car, or they may have had bad experiences in a car before. All these may cause anxiety and nervousness in dogs which
may in turn result in symptoms of motion sickness.
Symptoms of Dog Motion Sickness
It is not difficult to identify car sickness in dogs. You will see your dog getting restless in the car, which is usually followed by:
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Treatment of Dog Motion Sickness
Symptoms of canine motion sickness can be controlled by medication or home remedies.
Medication
If your dog has serious symptoms of motion sickness, medication such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) may be helpful. Dimenhydrinate is an antihistamine and antiemetic (a
drug that stops vomiting). Though not approved by FDA for use in veterinary medicine, it is commonly prescribed by veterinarians to lessen the symptoms of
car sickness in dogs.
Dimenhydrinate can cause sedation, dry mouth, and inability to fully empty the bladder. If you are going to show your dog, therefore, it is not a good idea to use this
drug on the day of the dog show since your dog will become drowsy.
Home Remedies
If you prefer not to use medication, try some of the following home remedies:
- Ginger: Ginger can relieve symptoms of motion sickness, such as vomiting and nausea. If your dog suffers from car sickness, give him some
ginger snap cookies.
- Peppermint Tea: Peppermint has been scientific proven to be an effective digestive aid. It has also been shown that peppermint supports
healthy digestion by calming the stomach in even the most sensitive stomachs. You may want to prepare some peppermint tea for your dog if he is prone to car sickness.
Alternatively, here is a 100% natural homeopathic remedy that is effective in relieving motion sickness symptoms in dogs:
PetAlive EasyTravel Reduces Pet Travel Sickness . It contains
ginger and peppermint, as well as a few other homeopathic ingredients that are effective for calming the nerve and the stomach. If your dog has motion sickness, give this
remedy a try!
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Prevention of Dog Motion Sickness
There are several things you can do to make traveling easier for your dog. For example:
- Dogs travel best on an empty stomach. Therefore avoid giving your dog any food for about an hour or two before taking a trip.
- Make sure that your car is cool and well-ventilated, and open a window if necessary.
- If possible, choose routes with smooth roads and try to minimize stops and turns.
- Make sure that you stop regularly for water and toilet breaks and to give your dog a bit of a leg stretch.
- Take along a favorite blanket to help your dog feel more secure in the car.
- Condition your dog - Take him on short trips regularly to help accustom him to traveling.
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