Natural Remedies for Your Dog’s Car Sickness
Dogs can quickly get carsick. But why do they get sick, and how do you stop it? Car sickness can get the best of us, but there are ways to help your furry friend out.
Why Do Dog Get Carsick?
Motion sickness occurs when motion interacts adversely with the nervous system. Carsickness is a common form of motion sickness that can occur in humans or our four-legged pals. Your dog gets carsick when what they see and feel is different.
Carsickness can occur more frequently in younger dogs as their bodies have not fully developed – the same way children are more likely to feel sick from a car. Most dogs grow out of these feelings as they grow older, but some dogs are simply more susceptible to these icky effects.
Symptoms of Carsickness
Dogs may show different symptoms of carsickness, but common signs include:
- Nausea
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Restlessness
- Panting
- Whining
Anxiety
Your dog may appear to be carsick, but it might have anxiety instead. Anxiety can look a lot like carsickness, so many get the two confused.
Symptoms of Anxiety
Symptoms of anxiety-induced carsickness include:
- Chewing
- Barking
- Whining
- Restlessness
- Excessive licking
- Panting
- Trembling
Remedies for Carsickness
There are many ways owners can keep their dogs safe and happy during road trips, including some simple ingredients you probably have at home. Here are some natural remedies for your furry friend to stay lively during a car ride.
Herbs
Herbs such as ginger, peppermint, catnip, fennel, and dill can keep your fido from getting sick. Ginger and dill have anti-nausea effects and are compared by many to Dramamine for dogs. Peppermint calms muscles in a dog’s stomach, which can soothe the effects of nausea. Catnip and fennel act as a sedative for pups and can manage their nerves.
Speak with your veterinarian on whether these options are suitable for your dog. Additionally, ask about the correct dosage for your furry friends.
CBD
CBD oil produces relaxing benefits without getting your furry friend high as it has no THC. CBD is good for seizures, cancer, pain relief, and moodiness in dogs. Many studies also show that it is ideal for nausea and keeping your canine from vomiting. Additionally, CBD is great for easing anxiety, making it ideal for our more worrisome pups.
Speak with a licensed veterinarian about the correct dosage of CBD for your dog.
Open a Window
By keeping a window open on the drive, you can balance the air pressure in the car. An open window can ease carsickness in many dogs. Furthermore, some dogs can become overheated in a car, especially on a sunny day. By keeping the window open by your dog or checking on the temperature, you may be able to ease the symptoms of nausea.
Keep these recommendations in mind and discuss them with your veterinarian before your next family road trip.