Carsick dog

[Veronica]

I've had a puppy for a few months now...a failed foster. He spent the first few months of his life in a crate with no socialization. His first ever car ride was when some stranger grabbed him, wrestled him into a van and brought him to live with complete strangers. He warmed up to us in a week or so, but has not warmed up to riding in a car.

He starts drooling and getting obviously stressed before the car even starts moving. The vet recommended ginger snaps before a trip and that did make his vomit smell better. 🙂

I have just bought a Roadtrek. We're trying to introduce him slowly. So far he loves it, but he doesn't yet know that it will turn on and move.

Any suggestions on deal I g with a very carsick dog?

[toedtoes]

Great news! Keep plugging away at it - it will keep getting better. And don't lose heart if he falters in his progress a bit, just go back to the last point of no problem and start moving forward again. Sometimes a dog just needs to know you'll love him even if he does puke... 🙂

[Veronica]

Update: We have been able to make short trips (10 minutes or so) with no vomiting. Still working on it.

[sue_t]

When our rescue moved in, he vomited on every car ride. It wasn't motion sickness, it was anxiety. Sometimes he'd toss it a few times during a single outing. I took him on car rides as often as possible and tried all the suggestions in an attempt to help him; nothing resolved the problem completely. Some trips he did okay, but on others he would get anxious.

The eventual cure was a long road trip. The first day we drove for 12 hours - after half of the day it seemed to hit him that this wasn't too bad after all. Then the second day (which was also long at 14 hours)), he laid down and slept. It seems he just let it go upon realizing that car rides didn't hurt.

Five years later, he jumps in all excited to go and then settles in for a sleep. He's very relaxed in any vehicle. He loves travel and RVing.

[doxiemom11]

I would get meds to help. Making him go on car rides and get sick each time is NOT suddenly going to make him like it. If it is anxiety then the meds would allow him to travel without the bad feelings (more relaxed) and eventually may not need anything to travel comfortably. If it is motion sickness, which I believe anything that has eyes and ears can have, then meds again because throwing up every time you get in a car is not going to make him want to go for car rides either. Maybe he will outgrown it as time goes by, maybe not.

[gmckenzie]

We had a dog that threw up a lot on car rides. Baby Gravoll (liquid) did the trick. Also helped her sleep as we drove. Was the vets recommendation.

[Beaker]

Motion sickness pills OTC takes care of my "Homer".

[Camsmom]

Our guy got sick as a puppy in the car, but only in the crate. If he was on my lap he was ok. Eventually he grew out of it. Now always rides in his crate, safer for all.

[Old-Biscuit]

brewjaz wrote:
I'd say start even slower ONLY because he's as frightened as you say.

Before I drove him around the block I would start by sitting with him in the car and letting it idle a few times. Once used to the engine noise, I'd move the car about 5 or 10 ft. on the driveway a few times. THEN after he's okay with that--maybe drive a little further---then around the block.

I would only use drugs if that doesn't work.

AND as K-9Handler said above---do something fun after he gets out of the car.

This is a very good approach........baby steps. He is just a pup so take it in stages.

[TugCE]

My Macy used to get sick even during very short rides. My Vet said to withhold food and give Dramamine, which did work. The problem was the short rides such as to the Vet or Groomer.

One day while I was walking around a Pet Store, I found a cover for the back seat that attaches to the rear headrests and also the front headrests. It lays on the seat and has a little bit of padding. It kind of reminds me of a hammock.

Ever since I started using this not only has the car sickness stopped but she is way more relaxed. Before she would only lay down for short periods of time, now she's out cold and snoring. 🙂

[SaltiDawg]

brewjaz wrote:
...

Before I drove him around the block I would start by sitting with him in the car and letting it idle a few times. Once used to the engine noise, I'd move the car about 5 or 10 ft. on the driveway a few times. THEN after he's okay with that--maybe drive a little further---then around the block.

I would only use drugs if that doesn't work.

AND as K-9Handler said above---do something fun after he gets out of the car.

Great advice, in my experience.

[dturm]

This is probably more likely anxiety than motion sickness. Gradual acclimation can work, but I'd urge you to talk to your vet about anti-anxiety medication. It makes the leaning of calm and relax, don't be afraid, this will be a fun car ride SO-O-O-O much easier and faster.

Doug, DVM

[TexasShadow]

at home, we feed our Lhasa in the evening when we eat our supper. so we do the same on the road. we wait until we have stopped before we feed him.
otherwise, he gets sick, even from a light snack.
you might try training him to a cage and use that as a comfort den while you're on the road.
and, as stated, the vet may have something to give him.

[brewjaz]

Please let us know how you made out in a few days/weeks. 🙂

[brewjaz]

I'd say start even slower ONLY because he's as frightened as you say.

Before I drove him around the block I would start by sitting with him in the car and letting it idle a few times. Once used to the engine noise, I'd move the car about 5 or 10 ft. on the driveway a few times. THEN after he's okay with that--maybe drive a little further---then around the block.

I would only use drugs if that doesn't work.

AND as K-9Handler said above---do something fun after he gets out of the car.