Why does the dog vomit in the car?
Traveling with your pet can be a difficult task, especially when your dog vomits in the car . This can happen on longer trips or when you need to use the car for quick trips, such as taking your pet to the vet. In these cases, it’s important to know some tips to help you, making the experience more enjoyable for everyone.
Is it common for a dog to vomit in the car?
If you’ve ever thought, ” My dog vomits when he rides in the car ,” know that the problem isn’t with you.
When a dog vomits due to movement, the reaction is called motion sickness. This type of discomfort is normal and can occur in both dogs and humans during travel by plane, boat, ship, train, and other means.
If you take your dog in the car , the jolts the vehicle makes while moving also affect the ear canal, the area responsible for the pet’s balance.
The animal may become dizzy and start drooling profusely . This can lead to nausea and vomiting. But there are some tricks that can help in this situation.
Tips to prevent your dog from vomiting in the car
Just like in people, vomiting and discomfort caused by travel sickness in dogs can be alleviated and even prevented. Some simple procedures can help a lot. Check them out below:
- see your veterinarian before traveling for recommendations;
only use nausea medications recommended by a professional;
avoid leaving the car with the dog after he has eaten;
create a space for the animal to feel comfortable and safe;
try to walk as slowly as possible;
avoid sudden braking and turns;
avoid peak traffic times;
turn off the car stereo or put on some calming music to try to help the dog relax;
do not give water during vomiting attacks, as he may vomit even more;
make a few stops in safe places for the dog to take a walk and distract himself from the trip;
If your pet vomits, always have pet-safe paper and disinfectant on hand, as the smell can encourage more vomiting.
Now that you know some tips for when your dog vomits in the car, check out other questions about car sickness. This way, you’ll be up to date on everything to ensure your pet’s well-being.
Why does motion sickness occur more in puppies and older dogs?
It’s not a rule, but puppies and older dogs are more prone to car sickness. Puppies aren’t used to road trips. Furthermore, their vestibular system, still developing, can trigger car sickness.
Older dogs may also be more likely to vomit in the car during trips, mainly due to their sensitivity and potential health issues. In this case, before taking a long trip, it’s even more important to take your dog to the vet to learn the best course of action.
Is it possible to give a dog some medicine to prevent carsickness?
At major pet stores, there are several types of medication for dogs that vomit when riding in cars . However, these should only be prescribed by a veterinarian, who will ensure the correct dosage for the dog’s weight.
Avoid the temptation to use a prescription medicine for motion sickness. Most of the time, the medication doesn’t prevent motion sickness and can even cause adverse reactions, such as allergic reactions and poisoning.
Safety tips when traveling with your dog by car
Another important issue when your dog vomits in the car is the safety of both your dog and yourself. So, check out some tips to help make traveling with your pet more peaceful:
The dog must also wear a dedicated seat belt, carrier, or pet seat. These devices are required by Brazilian law and protect the dog from potential accidents. Furthermore, the dog can be unpredictable and jump on your lap while driving, potentially causing a serious traffic accident.
Never leave your dog with its head out the window. It could be hit by rocks or small objects thrown by other cars’ tires.
Even if it’s hot , avoid driving with the windows completely open, as strong winds can be harmful to your dog, causing dry eyes and other cold-related problems.
And speaking of heat, if possible, leave the car’s air conditioning on to avoid discomfort caused by high temperatures. Just make sure the wind isn’t directed at your pet.
