While some dogs love to hop in the car for a long ride, others get severely stressed by the experience. Managing travel anxiety can be a harrowing experience for pet owners, too. But if you can get to the root of the problem, it may be possible to turn those rides into something positive for both you and your pup. So, let’s take a look at the causes of travel anxiety in dogs and some solutions to make your next journey a happy one.
What Causes Travel Anxiety in Dogs?
Travel anxiety is a fear or stress response to riding in vehicles, such as automobiles or airplanes. This stress is often caused by motion sickness, negative associations (like a trip to the vet), fear of confinement or unfamiliar environments, or a lack of exposure to traveling. Travel anxiety can manifest in a number of ways, both behavioral (like excessive barking) and physical (such as panting or drooling).
Learning how to manage your dog’s anxiety can not only improve their travel experience, but yours as well.
Signs of Travel Anxiety in Dogs
Learning to spot the signs of travel anxiety is key for any pet owner. Reading those symptoms can help you better understand the reasons behind your pet’s fear or stress, and potentially resolve them. Some of the most common symptoms are physical in nature, while others are more behavioral.
Physical symptoms of travel anxiety can include:
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Excessive panting
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Drooling
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Shaking or trembling
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Vomiting
Behavioral symptoms of travel anxiety can include:
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Vocalizing (barks and whines)
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Destructive behavior
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Pacing
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Avoidance or escape
The last of those can be particularly worrisome, if your dog tries to run away in order to avoid a car ride. Or, they might even try to jump out of a moving vehicle to escape! Either way, that fear can manifest in behavior that can have serious consequences for your dog.
How to Prepare Your Dog for Travel
There are several ways you can prepare a nervous dog for travel. If you have a longer trip coming up, you can train your dog with shorter car rides in order to get them used to traveling. You can also bring along familiar items, such as stuffed toys or bedding, to make the car seem more homey. Pre-trip exercise is also great for wearing down that nervous energy. Crating is another great way to make their trip more cozy and comfortable. Dogs who are used to a crate or carrier often find comfort in their little “room.”
Calming dog supplements can also help. Relaxing ingredients (such as chamomile or passion flower) or stress-busting adaptogens (such as L-theanine) can ease their tension during travel. Happy Paws Calming Supplement for Dogs contains these ingredients, as well as valerian root and tryptophan. These all-natural chews are formulated to help settle your dog during stressful situations, such as fireworks, house guests, and (you guessed it) travel.
You can also consult your veterinarian, particularly if your dog has severe travel anxiety. They might be able to spot a correctable cause or offer advice to help you manage the situation. If necessary, they can also prescribe medications to help your dog relax or sleep through long trips.
How to Prevent Motion Sickness in Dogs
One major reason some dogs have travel anxiety is the negative association they make between travel and motion sickness. Preventing motion sickness for these dogs can go a long way towards helping them overcome their anxiety.
There are a few different ways you can help prevent your dog from getting car sick. For starters, try withholding food, if possible, for 3 to 8 hours before your trip so that there’s nothing in your dog’s stomach to vomit. Keep the car cool and well ventilated. If possible, place your dog in a forward-facing back seat. And make the ride as smooth and slow as possible. After all, even humans can tie their stomachs in knots on a fast, bumpy car ride.
One other way you can help prevent motion sickness is to take your dog on short, successful drives. This will help them to create positive associations with riding in a car. This can help lessen the “butterflies” in their stomach, and potentially keep them from getting sick.
FAQs
1. What is the best way to calm my dog during a car trip?
There are a variety of ways you can calm your dog during a car trip. Calming supplements specially formulated for dogs (like Happy Paws Calming Dog Chews) can help. Other proven ways to calm dogs include providing a comfortable riding environment, and taking short car rides leading up to longer journeys.
2. Can I use calming supplements to help with my dog’s travel anxiety?
Yes, calming supplements are designed to help reduce stress and anxiety. Check out products, like Happy Paws Calming Chews, which are formulated to support relaxation during travel.
3. How can I prevent my dog from getting car sick?
To help prevent your dog from getting car sickness, withhold their food for 3 to 8 hours before you leave. That way they won’t have anything in their stomach to throw up. Also, keep your car cool and well ventilated, and drive as smoothly as you can.
4. How long before a trip should I give my dog calming supplements?
For best results, your dog should use a calming supplement on a daily basis. But if you’re leaving on a car ride and need on-the-spot help, give your dog their calming supplement about an hour before you leave, so it has time to digest and release into their bloodstream.
5. When should I seek a professional about my dog’s travel anxiety?
You should seek professional veterinary help for your dog's travel anxiety when the symptoms are consistent, severe, or prevent safe pet travel. Contact your vet if training attempts fail and especially if that dog anxiety leads to self-harm, such as biting at crates or attempting to jump from a moving vehicle.
