When you love your pet, you want to take them with you everywhere you go. However, many pets experience motion sickness and tummy upset while traveling, making the whole experience anxiety-inducing, and stressful for them and for you. Whether you’re driving across town to the vet or going on a road trip, here are five tips to help ease motion sickness and tummy aches in your pet.
Tip #1: Gradually Introduce Car Rides
If your pet has a history of motion sickness or anxiety associated with getting in the car, try desensitizing and counter-conditioning them.
Desensitizing involves a step by step method of gradually introducing your pet to the car.
Counter-conditioning involves changing your pet’s emotional response from negative to positive by having great stuff happen near, around and in the car.
A few general steps in this process includes:
- Starting with playing and giving them treats or new toys near the car. Especially if your pet shows severe negative emotions towards the car.
- Follow up with just sitting in the car together. Depending on how relaxed your pet feels, you decide whether or not to start the car in this step.
- Move into taking short car trips and gradually increase their duration.
Make sure you’re providing some sort of reward, praise or positive reinforcement each step of the way.
This will help them build a positive association with getting in the car and traveling.
*Disclaimer: This should be specifically tailored to your pet’s behavioral and emotional response to seeing or being in a car. There may be a lot of trial and error and the point is to teach your pet to continue to be relaxed while near and in a car.
Tip #2: Limit Food Before Travel
Feeding your pet right before a trip can increase the chances of nausea and vomiting. Try to withhold food for at least a few hours before travel, but make sure they still have access to fresh water. A light stomach can help prevent motion sickness and queasiness while still keeping them comfortable.
Tip #3: Create a Comfortable (and Safe) Travel Environment
Keeping your pet calm is key. Slightly cracking open a window to allow fresh air to circulate can make a big difference in preventing nausea and motion sickness.
Additionally, pets who move around too much in the car are far more likely to feel unsteady and nauseous. It’s important to ensure your pet is secured in the backseat. Using a well-ventilated carrier for smaller pets and securing larger dogs with a pet seatbelt or car harness is essential.
Tip #4: Natural Remedies
Some pets respond well to natural nausea remedies like ginger. You can try offering a small amount of ginger in their food, you can do this by grating some ginger over their food or giving them ginger-infused treats. Always check with your vet first! There are also other options such as calming sprays and treats formulated to ease travel anxiety and nausea.
Tip #5: Take Frequent Breaks
If you and your furry companion are in for a long road trip, make sure you’re stopping regularly to let your pet stretch their legs, and go to the bathroom. Take them for a short walk and let their stomach settle all while getting some fresh air too.
Bonus Tip:
GoPatch Pets Motion Sickness + Tummy Relief patches is an all natural solution using homeopathic ingredients to lessen symptoms of nausea and vomiting in your pets. Place the round patch on your pet’s belly. Calm will arrive in minutes.
Helping Your Pet Enjoy the Ride
Motion sickness can make travel unpleasant for both you and your pet, but with the right preparation you can help them feel more comfortable on the road. By creating a comfortable environment, taking preventive measures, and gradually getting them used to car rides, you can reduce nausea and make every trip more enjoyable! Every pet is different, so it may take some trial and error to find what works best.
If your pet’s motion sickness persists despite these efforts, talk to your veterinarian. They can recommend pet-safe medications to help manage nausea, anxiety, or both. Never give your pet human medication unless approved by your vet. Safe travels for you and your pet! 🚗🐾
Sources:
Teach Your Dog to Ride in the Car: Preventing Anxiety and Motion Sickness | American Kennel Club
