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Motion sickness in dogs a common problem for pet owners. Younger pets under the age of 1 years old are more prone to motion sickness due to the fact that their inner ear involved in balance is not fully developed. And older dogs with old dog vestibular disease can also develop car sickness. The good thing is most puppies will “outgrow” motion sickness by the time they are 2 years old, and the bad news is your older senior dog may not but there’s medication to help!

Other pets may vomit on car rides simply due to to anxiety due to nausea caused by the overwhelming and unusual feeling of being in a moving vehicle.

A dog with car phobia or anxiety will usually start to drool, pace and whine and even vomit just seeing the care before getting into it.

Here are 3 ways to help alleviate or prevent motion sickness:

1. Your local veterinarian can prescribe your dog medications. Anti-vomiting medication used for dogs with motion sickness, who still enjoy car rides include 1) Cerenia 2) Ondansetron and 3) Pepcid.
• Anxiety medication for those dogs who are nervous before the car ride even begins, are Acepromazine, Trazadone, Gabapentin, Xanax, or Valium for dogs.

2. Desensitizing your dog to car travel while they are young will help in the long run. Even if your puppy doesn’t show signs of carsickness right now, make it a commitment to take them on 10-15 minute car rides twice a week to let them know it is fun and not a scary event. Lots of treats and positive reinforcement should be given during training. Even just for jumping into the car.

3. Withhold food for 12 hours before travel. Your dog can fast up to 24 hours during travel. An empty stomach during travel will help prevent them from vomiting or becoming more nauseas.

4. A 4th tip is to get a crate for your dog to travel in the car so they feel safe and if they do vomit you can easily clean it up.

I hope this video helps you with your motion sickness dogs at home! My personal dog Elsa has anxiety induced car sickness that we are currently working on desensitizing her to
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Please comment below how you travel with your pets and if they experience car sickness too!
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Dr. Lindsay Butzer

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