Many Dogs Get Stressed While Travelling – Here’s What You Can Do

If you’ve got a big road trip planned, just you and your pooch, you may have imagined it’ll be a dreamy time with Fido poking his head out of the car window and enjoying the air rushing through his fur. In reality, he may get super stressed, constantly whine and may even vomit all over your nicely vacuumed car seat.

If you’ve never travelled with your pup on a long car journey before, or you have and you know already he gets stressed, there are a few ways you can prepare to make things easier. Let’s take a look at how you can ease his travel anxiety, so you can have more fun and spend less time dealing with nasty smelling mishaps.

Prepare Your Vehicle

If you know or suspect your dog may suffer from travel anxiety, spend a little time before your trip to prepare your vehicle.

• Dogs like to have their own private place to feel more secure. To make your pup feel more secure in your car, bring his bed along for the ride or make a space for him that makes him feel at home.
• Make the car/vehicle smell welcoming. Cars can have a weird oily, plastic small at times. You can buy calming pheromone sprays that are only detectable by dogs. Spray this around your car before the trip and it’ll help your pup to relax.
• Make sure you have a selection of his favourite toys and treats on board to take his mind off the journey.
• Have calming music to play when on your way.
• Have clean up materials (just in case!)

Prepare Your Pup

If your dog has never travelled in the car, or you know he is an anxious traveler, you can slowly acclimatize him to what is going to happen.

• If he’s never been in a car, start by taking him into the car with a treat just to sit there a bit. Let him come out whenever he wants.
• After a few short visits, slowly progress him to staying in their longer and turning the engine on so he can feel what it’s like.
• Once he’s ok with that, start taking him on short trips which slowly get a little longer. Make sure you take him on trips that are happy and not just to the vet.
• If your dog is a naturally stressful breed, consider adding natural health supplements to the diet like PetCalm. Taken regularly, this natural supplement may help to support, when your pet’s start to show symptoms of anxiety and stress.

After a little bit of practice and preparation, your pups travel anxiety can be eased. If his anxiety continues, or he gets motion sickness, consult with your vet to see what they can do to support him.