Car Sickness and Your Pet!

Traveling is no fun with a cat or dog that gets car sick. Most pets will outgrow car sickness, but some never are that lucky. A short trip to the vet or a long trip can be a stressful jaunt for your cat or dog.

Feeding a ginger-snap cookie before the drive works well for many dogs. Some dogs or cats do better if they can see out of the window, while others like to be in a crate with limited vision. You just need to see what works best for your fur kid.

Withholding food from your pet is very helpful to help with the car sickness. Keeping the car cool, even if it is not really hot outside, is beneficial. Be sure and turn the air conditioning on in your car. Make sure the fan is blowing on the dog. This can be a game changer for your pet. Try to plan your travels with a minimum of stops, turns and bumps to make the drive as smooth as possible.

Counter-conditioning can help your dog when all else fails to help with the car sickness. Start by putting your dog in the car, give him a food treat and then let them out without shutting the car door or starting the engine. Do this for several days, then progress to a short trip around the block and then go to fun places like the park. This may help them associate fun things with the car. If this doesn’t work, ask your veterinarian about medications options for car sickness for your dog or cat.

If you have questions about pet care, please contact Dr. Norette L. Underwood of Trumann Animal Clinic at catdoc56@gmail.com.