Helping Your Dog with Motion Sickness

If you've ever had carsickness, you can empathize when your dog is feeling intolerably queasy riding in a car. Motion sickness can be caused by an inner ear imbalance, but often the cause is anxiety. Although vomiting is an obvious sign of carsickness, excessive yawning, drooling, listlessness or whining are also symptoms.

If the only place your dog ever travels to is the vet's office, try reconditioning them. Start with treats and playtime in the car with the engine off, and work up to short trips that end in fun. Other tips to help with carsickness include:

*Use your voice and behavior to show that the car is a fun, worry-free place.

*Harness your dog in the front seat where they can look forward.

*Don't react when your dog vomits in the car. Don't stop; clean it up later. Seeing you upset only makes them fear the car more.

*Stop frequently on longer trips.

*Keep the windows partly down for fresh air circulation.

*Try giving a small piece of kibble every few minutes to help settle the stomach. 

If these measures fail, don't despair! We can prescribe medications that will help your dog travel more comfortably. Give us a call to discuss the possibilities. AMSH Tulsa (918)492-2674, AMSHE Broken Arrow (918)355-5662