Have you ever encountered a dog who travels well?

Some do.

Yours doesn’t. And that’s okay.

Some people travel better than others too. Don’t let it bring you down or keep you from taking your pooch on the long drive to your favourite watering hole.

How to Know If Your Dog Gets Carsick

If your dog loses his lunch every time he gets in the car, carsickness is the obvious culprit. But your dog may be getting sick even if there’s no vomit. Here are the signs of carsickness to look out for:

·        Listlessness

·        Excessive drooling

·        Frequent yawning

·        Incessant whining

·        Vomiting

·        General uneasiness

If these signs look familiar, don’t worry. There are options! Try one of these natural remedies for dog car sickness:

1.       Plan meals around the trip – If your dog tends to get car sick, make sure your dog travels on an empty stomach. Plan to feed your pooch at least two hours before you plan to leave or wait until after you get to your destination, if possible. If you must give your dog food on the road, try to do so during one of your longer pit stops.

2.       Let some air in – Everyone knows that dogs love fresh air. That part is a no-brainer. But the air can also help keep your dog from getting sick. Just be sure to be safe if you let your pup stick her head out the window. Put protective eyewear on your dog and have someone who isn’t driving monitor the situation and surroundings to ensure your dog isn’t pushing too far out of the car.

3.       Stop frequently – Some dogs are okay with short car rides. If your dog is one of them, try to split the trip into a series of shorter rides. As long as you’re in an area where frequent stops are possible, you can monitor your dog for the signs of carsickness above and stop whenever he seems to be getting stressed out.

4.       Homoeopathic remedies – Homoeopathic remedies are designed to treat the pet’s overall wellbeing, but they can also be targeted to one specific issue. For example, a specific travel sickness remedy will help settle your dog, so he will begin travel in a calmer state. It works well to reduce anxiety and stress related to travelling.  This is something you’ll have to plan for, though. Homoeopathic remedies work best when given consistently, so plan to start at least a few days before your trip or consult the homoeopath for free on Homeoanimal.com to get more information.

5.       Bring a companion – Bring someone along who can play with your dog to help keep her mind off the trip. Whether or not you have a friend to travel with, also bring your dog’s favourite toy to help distract your pooch. Try to avoid treats because this may upset her stomach.

If all else fails and you need to take a long trip with your four-legged friend, talk to your vet about your options. He or she may prescribe a travel sickness medication or let you know which over-the-counter remedy to use.