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Travel Anxiety in Dogs – Signs, Reasons, And Tips To Treat Or Prevent Travel Anxiety

  Sep 04, 2020

Travel Anxiety in Dogs – Signs, Reasons, And Tips To Treat Or Prevent Travel Anxiety

It’s a sunny day and so you and your dog jumped on the bonnet and drooooom, away to some adventurous place or a park. But, suddenly, what you find is your Fido doesn’t look normal and before you pull those brakes, he has thrown up enormously over your back seat.

This is the most common scenario when pets are suffering from travel anxiety or motion sickness. However, you can always figure out the ways to help your pooch when he/she is struggling with travel anxiety conditions.

Recognize Signs Of Dog Travel Anxiety

Several symptoms can directly give you a signal that your pet is dealing with travel anxiety and motion sickness among which vomiting is the most common. Along with vomiting, several other signs are there that your pet is stuck with travel anxiety.

Common Travel Anxiety Symptoms

  • Vomiting
  • Agitation
  • Panting
  • Excessive salivation
  • Trembling
  • Barking or mewing
  • Whining or scratching
  • Urinating or soiling
  • Attempting to escape

Reasons For Motion Sickness And Travel Anxiety

Especially in puppies and young dogs, motion sickness is quite common. And the reasons are being that their ear structures haven’t been grown fully as they are still in the development stage. As many puppies outgrow travel anxiety, there remain a few exceptions.

Moreover, as growing up, your pet’s anxiety may be less related to the vehicle itself, but more inclined to the destination such as the vet’s office, grooming session, or boarding facility. There may be more specific triggers that may aggravate their anxiety conditions.

Tips To Prevent Travel Anxiety In Pets

Try Alternative Options

If your dog becomes quite anxious on every vet visit or a session at a groomer’s spot, try an alternate means of transport. Arranging a crate in the back of an SUV can be of much help rather than harnessing him in the back seat.

Arranging a home-visit for a groomer or finding a vet near your locality which may be just a walking distance can be more feasible.

Arrange For Visual Barriers

Use a covered crate or cover your car’s window with shields if required to block the outside world when moving, which can reduce the anxiety level and can make a huge difference. Moreover, you can firmly harness your dog the seat ensuring that their position on the seat is below eye level of the windows.      

Eliminate Visual Barriers

Contrarily, instead of blocking the view, if you find that your furry companion enjoys much of the outer view that lowers the anxiety level, it is better to allow them see outside the window. However, do not allow your dog to keep his/her head outside the window. This may be dangerous. Better keep the windows closed and position him with a harness for proper viewing.

Create A Pleasant Environment

Your car’s interior can add up to stress and motion sickness while heat and humidity inside can trigger it to its worst. So don’t miss to keep the temperature low and the windows slightly opened just for enough air to pass through and circulate.

During colder months, you can wrap your furry member with a blanket and during summers keep him cool with the air conditioning turned on. Spraying the inside with dog pheromones like Adaptil Spray can ease up your pet’s mood. Keep along your dog’s favorite toys, bed sheet, or cozy blanket that can keep your dog in comfort without any distractions.

Avoid Feeding Your Dog Before Travelling

Usually, pet parents are confused about what to give their dogs for travel anxiety before traveling. Less food and water intake can ease traveling and there can be fewer chances of throw outs. Avoid overfeeding your pet before trips, lest there may be chances of nausea or anxiety. Also, it is better to line up your car’s seats with puppy pads to take care of accidents.                  

Try Calming Treatments and Medications for Dog Travel Anxiety

If your dog reacts to calming supplements positively or stays calm and relaxed with collars like Adaptil collar, it is rewarding to use these options. Over the Counter medications like Anxitane tablets or homeopathic supplements like Homeopet Travel Anxiety can help greatly. It reinforces a calming effect.

Talk To A Vet

If you find that your dog’s travel anxiety is severe and requires professional intervention, it is better to talk to your vet. The animal physician may be able to find the real reason behind it. Sometimes it may be a physical barrier that may develop stress in your furry companion. Therefore, talking to your vet regarding your pet’s condition can definitely help you.

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