Travel Anxiety – Avoid the stress.. and the mess! It’s a warm, sunny day so you and your dog have hopped in the car and are heading to the park. Suddenly, Fido doesn’t look so good and before you have time to pull in, his breakfast has been decanted unceremoniously all over your back seat.
Pet motion sickness and travel anxiety is an all too familiar story and in extreme cases it can severely limit the experiences that we can enjoy with our dogs. No more hiking weekends away with your four legged friend. No more trips to the beach (unless you’re lucky enough to be within walking distance). Additionally, severe motion sickness and the associated travel anxiety experienced by your dog could make transportation to your vet extremely stressful.
It’s not only dogs that can experience motion sickness and travel anxiety; our cats, rabbits, hamsters and even birds can suffer too. And while we may not be taking our feline friend for jaunts on the shore, there are times when travel in a vehicle is unavoidable and can cause unnecessary stress.
Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do – both for short-term alleviation of motion sickness and longer-term behavioral actions – to help reduce travel anxiety in your pet.
Firstly, what are the symptoms of travel anxiety and motion sickness?
While motion sickness can result in that most noticeable of symptoms – vomiting, there are several other signs that may indicate that your pet is suffering from motion sickness and travel anxiety, all of which are unpleasant for you and your pet.
- Agitation
- Panting
- Excessive salivation
- Trembling
- Barking or mewing
- Whining or scratching
- Urinating or soiling
- Attempting to escape
- Vomiting
What causes travel anxiety and motion sickness in animals?
Dog motion sickness is more common in puppies and young dogs than in older dogs, just as carsickness afflicts more children than adults. This is because the ear structures used for balance aren’t yet fully developed in puppies. Many puppies will outgrow travel sickness as they mature, but not all of them will. If the first few car rides of your puppy’s life left him nauseated, he may have been conditioned to equate travel with vomiting, even after his ears have fully matured.
Your pet’s anxiety may be less about the car itself and more about the destination, as the journey may always end at the vet’s, the groomer’s, or a boarding facility. Or something specific might trigger his or her anxiety, for example the sound the car makes when you drive over rumble strips, or large lorries passing by on the highway.
How do we prevent travel anxiety and car sickness in our pets?
One simple thing to do is keep your pet from looking out the window. This might seem contrary to common sense, as we humans tend to wind down the window to get some fresh air if we are feeling car sick. Depending on the laws around pets in the car in your area, the front foot well of the car is the ideal location. If your pet is travelling in a crate that can fit in this area it’s closest to the lowest point of the car, which moves the least.
It can also help to try a variety of alternative methods to calm your pet. For example, speak to her in a calm, soothing voice, bring her favourite toy along for the ride or you may find that playing some classical music on the radio may help to soothe her nerves.
If your dog suffers from extreme travel anxiety, a longer term behavioural approach may be required. Start with the car parked and go into the back seat (or cargo area) with her, pet her, praise her, and give her treats. Do this for just a few minutes at first, or even just a few seconds (depending on how stressed she is). Do this daily, or every other day, for a couple of week while gradually increasing the amount of time you’re spending in the car.
Once your dog is as comfortable spending a little time in a parked car, the next stage is to take her on a short journey, followed by a reward. Gradually build up the length of journey to desensitize her to the motion and stress of travel and when you feel she is ready, add in a fun destination so she can start to associate the car with going somewhere enjoyable.
While there are conventional pharmaceuticals available, just as there are for humans who experience travel sickness, these should only be used in extreme circumstances and under the direction of your vet, as they can be sedating and have side effects.
Acupressure can also help to alleviate nausea and anxiety. There’s a pressure point located behind and above the carpus – the pet equivalent of the wrist. But it’s essential to receive expert advice from a pet care professional to ensure this is done correctly and without stress to your pet.
Tips for travelling with pets
- Best not to feed your pet for approximately 4-6 hours prior to travel, water is fine of course
- Plan regular, short breaks for your pet to get out the car stretch the legs, do their business and ensure they have a fresh water break
- Ensure there is plenty of fresh air
- Remember that pets have sensitive hearing so limit loud music while travelling in the car
- Research your destination – Pet friendly places, local vets, emergency vets etc
Tips for easing travel illness
- Stopping the car and taking him for a walk may help temporarily relieve his stress.
- Withhold food 12 hours before travel – an empty stomach will help reduce nausea and requires less toilet breaks
- Keeping the car cool and quiet
- Bring something that smells like home when travelling to ease anxiety
We also stock the following safe and effective remedies to support motion sickness and fear of travel
HomeoPet’s Travel Anxiety
These simple to administer liquid drops are non-sedating, fast-acting and can be used on an “as needed” basis for travelling short or long distances and are safe to use for any pet regardless of their general health or other medications they may be taking.
Natural Animal Solutions TravelEze
Some pets find travelling in cars a challenge, while others are plagued by memories of horrid trips where visual motion and perceived movement clash. TravelEze can help support them during this time and is made from high quality herbal ingredients such as ginger, withania and chamomile and is suitable for dogs, cats and small animals of all ages. TravelEze is a non-drowsy, alcohol-free support to ensure your pet can enjoy travelling once again and you can enjoy your pet’s company the entire day.
Natural Animal Solutions Calm
A natural tablet supplement formulated to support your pets’ overall balance and wellbeing. Ideal for many circumstances such as car trips, separation anxiety, loud noises and vet visits. Calm is easy to use and helps maintain normal nervous function and immune system, making life easier for both you and your pet. Use in conjunction with Natural Animal Solutions TravelEze for a relaxed pet.
Petz Park Stress+Anxiety for Dogs or Cats
Fear, like separation, loud noises, car trips and ageing are the most common reasons for anxiety in pets. Stress + Anxiety powder aims to remove the feelings your pet associates with events that cause them stress.
PetArk Calm (Dogs only)
Assists in the maintenance of normal muscle and nerve function and contains a range of nutrients that have a role in assisting the transmission of nerve impulses. Assists with anxiety by relieving stress. Perfect for traveling pets.
PAW Complete Calm Dog Chews
Tasty kangaroo based chews that contain key ingredients such as Tryptophan (180mg per chew) and B group vitamins, a blend of multivitamins and nutrients to support the general health and nervous function in dogs. Tryptophan has been demonstrated to benefit dogs displaying signs of: territorial aggression, dominance aggression and general anxiety driving changes in serotonin levels (eg. separation anxiety, travel anxiety).
Greenpet Aroma Calm Mist Spray (Dogs only)
Greenpet Aroma Calm Mist Spray is an all-natural aromatherapy spray containing herbs and Bach flower essences for use around dogs bedding or horse stable/float. This Aromatherapy spray utilises essential oils and flower essences to help maintain wellbeing. Can also be sprayed on their coats. Not suitable for use with Cats.
Travel Anxiety – How to avoid the stress.. and the mess!
Travel Anxiety – How to avoid the stress.. and the mess!
