Motion Sickness and Your Dog

Most pet owners don’t know this but there is a possibility that your poodle does not relish the road trips and long car excursions as you do. Car sickness and your dog are like water and oil – they don’t mix. 

The Causes of Motion Sickness

Motion sickness in canines, just like sea sickness in people, results from an array of conflicting sensory signals emanating from the emetic center of the pet’s brain. In short, these signals that originate from the brain’s  vestibular system which is found nestled in the interior-most inner ear  tend to conflict with the signals that the dog gets from the eyes. To some poodles, this can invoke vomiting, nausea and light-headnesses. 

The receptors that are involved here include the histamine, neurokinin ( NK1 ) substance receptors  which all converge in the chemoreceptor triggering zone ( CRTZ). Apart from that, anxiety and fear from a past traumatic experience can also exacerbate motion sickness in dogs. Speaking of which, puppies tend to be more susceptible than full-grown adult dogs to motion sickness since most of the parts of the balance and vestibular system are not yet fully matured in young pups. 

Signs and Symptoms of Car Sickness and your Dog

There tend to be many potential symptoms and signs of car sickness and your dog. And this includes; 

• Whining 
• Drooling 
• Excessive lip licking 
• Vomiting 
• Excessive panting 
• Heightened restlessness
• Shaking/trembling 

Natural and Home Remedies of Car Sickness and Your Dog

There are numerous easy and home natural remedies of motion sicknesses in poodles.  Ginger, for example, is an excellent remedy that can be used to treat vomiting and nausea in canines. However, it should not be given to dogs who are taking NSAISDs ( nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ) or anticoagulants. 

Speaking of which, adaptil is also another excellent example of a calming pheromone that you can use to rein in your dog during travel. The spray is designed to be used approximately 20 minutes  before you begin the journey. Other than that, you can also use calming supplements such as  composure, rescue remedy and solliquin to pacify the canine. Lavender, too, is another  suitable aromatherapy  option for pet parents looking for a natural way to calm their poodles when in transit. 

Preventing Motion Sickness

Prevention has always been better than cure. And the script remains the same in motion sickness where an anti-anxiety medication cannot be as effective as preventing the motion sickness occurring in the first place. Some of the best ways of doing this are making it a habit of using safety restraints, allowing your dog a clear view of outside the window and avoiding overfeeding the dog before a long journey ahead. 

References: VCA hospitals, The spruce pets, Cars guide