In Australia, we love to travel with our paw pals and bring them on long road trips. It may be smooth sailing at times, but inevitably, we do get stuck in traffic and may step on the brakes without warning. Our lovely passengers are bound to panic or feel stressed when this happens. But is it possible for dogs to get car sick?
The answer is. Yes.
Motion sickness is a universal experience even for our furry friends. Similar to humans, it is more commonly suffered by the younger ones than adults due to their immature sense of balance. You should watch out for the following symptoms when taking your dog on a road trip.
- Frequent sneezing and yawning
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Sudden behavioural change from energetic to stagnant
- Excessive/unusual howling, crying and whining
- Restlessness
How can you prevent motion sickness in dogs?
- Bring your dog’s favourite toy or blanket and put it near its seat. This can provide extra comfort during their ride.
- Go on a short walk before hitting the road. Some light exercise can help relieve the tension in their bodies, which allows them to feel more relaxed in the car.
- Avoid travelling when your dog has an empty stomach or straight after a meal. It is ideal to hit the road after at least 1 hour of digestion.
- Regularly open the windows! Our furry friends are highly sensitive to scent, therefore being in an enclosed environment can lead to discomfort. Letting fresh air in can instantly change their mood.
So far, we’ve learnt that dogs DO get car sick. We hope you find our listed symptoms and prevention methods helpful. Make sure to set up PAWKEMON’s Premium Pet Booster Car Seat to improve your next road trip experience.