Motion Sickness
Motion sickness can occur if the eyes, nerves and inner ear, the parts of your pet’s body that detect motion, become confused. When a pet rides in a car, its eyes sense movement, even
though the body isn’t moving. In some pets, this can trigger motion sickness symptoms. Anxiety and negative associations to the vehicle can also cause motion sickness in some pets.
Signs to look for: whining, frequent yawning or drooling, lack of energy, constant lip licking, diarrhea, and of course vomiting.
How to help:
- Allow a clear view out the front window; safely restrain pet in a harness or carrier.
- Withhold food for about 4-5 hours before the trip. Continue to offer water in small amounts. Roll down the windows for fresh air.
- Stick to straight roads; avoiding the long, winding paths.
- Stop every couple hours to give a chance to walk around and have a drink of water.
- Make the ride more pleasant experience if you suspect anxiety is a part of the sickness. Go for short happy rides followed by treats, gradually increasing the length of the rides.
- Discuss with us if your pet may need anti-nausea medication.