To prevent your dog from experiencing discomfort and vomiting on the road to vacation, here’s what you can do before the big departure.
Humans are not the only ones who suffer from car sickness, dogs can also have trouble tolerating car journeys, especially if they are long and hot, like during this holiday season. Indeed, the road can be particularly uncomfortable: they can suffer from nausea and vomiting possibly until the arrival. These can also disturb people who are in the same vehicle.
There are two causes of motion sickness in our canine friends: the first is located at the level of the inner ear (it perceives a movement, but it does not move itself, so that the organ of balance is stimulated and the animal produces histamine which can cause nausea and vomiting), and the second is the fear of traveling by car, especially if the animal is not used to it. Fortunately, there are solutions to combat motion sickness in dogs, explains veterinarian Nicolas Deswarte, also known under the pseudonym Nico Véto, on Instagram. “If it’s his first trip, it’s normal that he’s a little disoriented.”says the expert.
To avoid any hassle on the way to your holiday, he recommends starting to prepare your dog in the two or three weeks before departure. For the specialist, the first thing to do is to put the dog in the car, without driving, because “This will allow him to get used to this new environment.” Of course, don’t leave him unattended and open the windows to avoid heatstroke. Once the dog has gotten used to the car, Nicolas Deswarte suggests taking a short trip, like around the block, so that he can discover the sensation.. Gradually, we will be able to increase the duration of the journey, explains the veterinarian.
If these acclimatization moments are not enough and the dog suffers from travel sickness, Nicolas Deswarte explains that there are medications adapted to canines to avoid this problem. Do not hesitate to talk to your veterinarian, who will be able to prescribe the right treatment and the right doses for a peaceful car journey.