Car Travel With Your Dog

Before taking my dog on a long car trip what should I do?
Many dogs have no trouble adjusting to a car journey, long or short, but for others it can be a bad experience if they have not been properly prepared, or their needs during the trip are neglected.

Suggested Treatments

Travel Drops

First, if your dog has not been used to being in a car, take them for short trips, always before a meal rather than soon after (this helps avoid car-sickness). Make the association with the car ride rewarding for the dog by giving a treat or meal as soon as the trip is over.

How can I avoid car-sickness?
Car Travel With Your Dog

Car or motion sickness is the result of the effect of irregular motion on the balance mechanism of the middle ear. The signs are restlessness, salivation and vomiting. Waiting at least six hours between the last meal and traveling will help. In severe cases of motion sickness, your veterinarian can prescribe medication to be given before a journey.

What can I do to make my dog more comfortable traveling?

Have the dog ride inside the car rather than in the back of a pick-up or inside a camper.
Don’t allow the dog to run and jump in the car, especially not near the driver.
Make sure there is plenty of fresh air and that the temperature is not too hot towards the back of the car where the dog will likely be.
If you need to open a window, keep it closed enough that the dog cannot stick his head out of the window and be injured by flying insects or pieces of gravel from the road.

What about rest-breaks?

Stop at regular intervals to give your dog a chance to exercise, relieve himself, and have a drink of water.
When you stop, secure the dog with a leash BEFORE you open the door.
Observe notices for pet exercise areas and have a plastic bag supply in the car for ‘stoop and scoop’.

What if I have to leave my dog in the car?
Never leave your dog alone in a car. The temperature can quickly rise to a dangerous level for heat stroke, even on a cool day. Leaving a window partially open may not be enough and may invite trouble if a child pokes a finger into the car.

Are there any natural remedies that would help my dog when traveling in the car?
Travel Drops are an all-natural, homeopathic mixture that is designed to ease the symptoms of dogs who suffer from motion sickness. It has a calming effect on the dog's nervous and digestive systems. It's not a sedating formula, and works well for car-sickness, sea-sickness, and air-sickness as well. Click here to learn more about Travel Drops.

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Any information contained on this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of pets and their treatment is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian.