My new client Phoebe has a pressing problem: She gets very car sick (even on quick jaunts), and she's about to take a long road trip this holiday weekend! She has such a negative association to car travel that she doesn't even like getting close to her person's car. Phoebe's owner plans to use Dramamine to curb Phoebe's nervous stomach for this trip, and if she comes home and still has strong anti-car feelings, we're going to tackle some counter-conditioning exercises to teach her to love life on the road.
There are a few lesser-known homeopathic treatments that can also help to calm jittery canine travelers. Rescue Remedy, a combination of flower essences, is said to help decrease stress in a variety of situations, including travel and thunderstorms. Natural ginger capsules, available at most health food stores, can help prevent vomiting and drooling as well. (Contact your vet for dosage specifics.)
Ever travel with a pukey puppy? How bad was it, and how did you help your dog get over it?
1. We use a doggie remedy called happy tails it contains valarian. Its herbal and less chance of side effects. Honey Bee our PIT/ Boxer mix likes to sit backwards and watch the camper follow us on camping trips and she often gets sick! We give her one but my other dog Pepper takes two for his nerves. I highly suggest the use of natural means rather than pharmacutical when it can be done. Also we often feed our dogs biscuts before a trip as it helps keep the acid under control.
Posted at 6:16AM on Aug 31st 2007 by Lori