Car Sickness

[mindy10]

Hi everyone. I was wondering if you have a dog that gets car sick. We brought our puppy home and he is 14 weeks old and got car sick. Is that something he will outgrow and if not is there something you can give him so they won't get sick. Thanks

[matese]

Cody is adopted, on his ride home day of adoption (Nov.12, 2013) he got car sick, I thought it was because of all the stress he was under from being taken away from his beloved family, spent 2 days in a cage in a unfamiliar place with strange smells and other animals barking and crying, Strange ppl, diff. food, groomed by a stranger. He had to make several trips to the vet over his first 5 months with me. The appointments were very early ones, so I held back food and water, to eliminate his vomiting, each trip he would get car sick, pant profusely, his entire muzzle would be soaking wet from all the panting. Holding back food and water did not help, he would still vomit. The vet gave me pills to give him 30 min. before he goes in the car to be taken on an empty stomach, I never used them, I cannot see medicating a dog for car trips. So the only time I would put him in the car was for vet trips, I wanted to keep him as stress free as possible. All my other pups came with me whenever I would go out, I was sad that I couldn’t have this with my new baby boy (3 y/o) In the Spring & summer months I am in the car much of these seasons I was determined to find a solution to eliminate his car sickness without having to medicate him. I get car sick if I have to be a passenger and sit in the back seat, I thought of a car seat that was elevated off the passenger seat, it would eliminate the road vibration that is felt through the car seat,
The first week in June I purchased a dog booster seat. It is elevated OFF the car seat, no support leg from booster seat to car seat. Cody eats at 7AM, if I have to go out it’s usually around 11AM. I was anxious to test out the booster seat. First test, fed Cody, wondering if 4 hours after eating was enough time for his stomach to partly digest his food. So off we go, the booster seat I put in the front so I could keep an eye on him, I didn’t know how he would react to being confined, wanted to see if he would pant etc.. I live on top of a mountain, many S curves, up and down hills, speed limit is 35MPH, which I always drove at 20 to 25 MPH when Cody was in the car, and many times he would have vomited when I reached the bottom of the mountain. On first test day, got down the mountain all was fine, no vomiting, NO PANTING, Cody was able to look out of the window which I had open maybe 2 inches, and he looked very comfy and not stressed out as he used to be. He was in the car apox. 45 min. on test day. The following day I did the same thing, fed at 7AM, out at 11AM. He was reluctant as usual to get in the car, I always have to pick him up, carry him to the car and place him in, and had to do this on 2nd test trip. Again, all went well, NO PANTING. Day 3, had to leave house at 10AM, again concerned about is 3 hours after eating enough time for food to be settled so as not to get sick. This car trip was to be a loner one, A 1 ½ hour drive one way, he would be out of the car for a couple of hours then back in for the 1 ½ back home. SUCCESS, no vomit, no panting, all relaxed, even laid down in his booster seat for a nap with his head resting on the edge of the basket. It has been 6 weeks since he has his booster seat, when I tell Cody we’re going bye, bye in the car, he runs to where his harness & leash is kept, tail wagging, all excited. When we get near the car he now goes eagerly towards it and sits waiting for me to place him in his booster seat. He sits in his seat like a King on his throne looking out of the windows. He now LOVES his car rides. NO MORE car sickness.
I would highly recommend this booster seat for any ones pup that gets car sick. Cody weighs appox. 12 Lbs, from neck to tail base appox. 18 “long. I choose the large size so he would have room to lay down for his naps.
Name of booster seat at Pet Supplies….Tagalong Pet Booster Seat…large size holds up to 18 Lb dog. Basket dimensions: 16” W x 14”D x 8” H.
It’s inexpensive about $40. Plus tax. It attaches with a strap that goes over the cars head rest, another strap that goes around the back seat, both straps are adjustable. It has worked for Cody, Now he comes with me when ever I go out, and the best part is, he gets all excited now, he’s not stressed out anymore, he LOVES his car trips.