Nothing is more enjoyable while on a road trip than seeing a smiling dog sticking its face out the window to greet other drivers. However, many dogs have motion sickness which is displayed by whining, drooling, and in the most severe cases, nausea. The good news is that there are some methods you can use in order to reduce the anxiety and sickness your dog may have.
Create a Comfortable Experience
It doesn’t matter if you have an older dog or a puppy, you should be able to teach them that car rides can be relaxing. A good step is to desensitize them to the car by having them be around or in the car and entice them to get more comfortable with a special toy or treat. This may take a longer time for adult dogs, but if they start associating the vehicle rewards and positive reinforcement, then they will be ecstatic to hop in.
Once your furry companion is used to the vehicle, you can begin to add the motion of driving and monitor if they are able to stay calm. An in-car harness for the dog or a crate of some kind should always be used so your pet is safely secured. Most dogs are unable to wear seat belts, so a safety harness is recommended in order to get them accustomed to short trips. Amassing these short trips into longer and longer journeys will help your dog adapt to their new environment.
In order to ease motion sickness in your pet, try to keep the temperature inside the vehicle as cool as possible, either through A/C or by rolling the windows down for fresh air. Decreasing the amount of food your pet has in the hours before the trip will make them less queasy, and going for a walk or playing to expend energy just before you leave will help them relax. You can also consult your veterinarian to see if they can prescribe medication to make your pet's ride easier.
If you want to look at Subaru-certified dog harnesses and other accessories for your pet, then check out our selection of pet-friendly accessories at Hawk Subaru!
