Travel Sickness

[4Maddie44]

Any hints to stop dog feeling travel sick in car?

[4Maddie44]

Thank you for your input.  Toby has been travel sick since I got him, before he went blind.

Ginger, is it safe to have a dog in the front?  I have a harness which I attach to seat belt, to secure Toby.  I only have to go a little way up the road, no food given, and he brings up yellow slime, and sometimes heaves for quite a while afterwards.  It is certainl.y worth trying what you say Ginger, and I will certainly give it a go.

Mind you, I am travel sick myself if somebody else is driving, and always have to take medication.  It seems unfair to put Toby through the ordeal of the car, but sometimes, I do need him to come with me.

Karla, is that your dear little Bichon?

[Misfits4Me]

Just curious....... Has the motion sickness just developed since Toby went Blind? That would make sense!      Karla

[ginger899]

If you prefer a method which does not mean your dog has to take drugs, then you could try this (but it will mean some effort on your part, and will not work instantly. It might take a few weeks to work):

Make sure you have taken your dog for a good run in the fresh air. That he has not only just eaten, but ate a few hours previously. Then, when you have a happy well-exercised dog, both of you get in the car, and drive a very short way,  (no more than a mile) then stop, both get out and go for a short walk. Get back in and drive a little further, then take your dog for a run again in the fresh air, preferably in a park or field. Make this whole adventure just that....an adventure! Make it sound fun and interesting (I don't know..."We're going in the car for a game!" or suchlike.) Take a rope toy/ball/frisbee.
If at all possible, have the dog up front with you, rather than in the back, swinging about as you turn corners. That can make dogs, and children, quite woozy.

Then drive home, stopping once for a short walk again.
If you do this every day, or as often as you possibly can....I can almost guarantee the car sickness will go away. These are the mthods I used with my own dog, who used to feel sick in cars, now cannot wait to get in one!

[Misfits4Me]

Hi Maddie & Toby....

For motion sickness, dogs can take OTC Human Dramamine (dimenhydrinate)....The dose is:  2 to 4 mg. per pound orally every 8 hrs.        Karla