Traveling can be super stressful for anybody. Like when you’re 4 hours into a cross country road trip and your buddy mentions he forgot to bring his wallet…and deodorant. Traveling can be especially stressful for pets who can’t exactly be briefed about what’s happening. As far as they know, the life that they knew is over and a shaky Honda Civic that sounds like a 1990’s school bus is their new home now. Here are some things you can do to alleviate your pet’s travel anxiety and assure them everything is going to be okay.
Motion Sickness
Just as car sickness is more prominent in kids than adults, motion sickness is more common in puppies and young dogs than older ones. The ear structures (used for balance) of pups and young dogs aren’t fully developed, so they’re more vulnerable than mature ones. Desensitize your dog to car anxiety by taking them on short drives and gradually going further. Even if it’s a simple drive around the neighborhood, anything to give them a sense of what to expect is ideal.
Dog anxiety during car rides is more related to the uncertainty of the destination than the actual ride itself. Warning signs of anxiety include panting, whining, scratching, excess saliva, and shaking. Playing soft music at a reasonable volume has also been known to decrease dog’s anxiety during times of travel.
Calming Products or Supplements
If your dog is severely anxious, you might be best suited for some medical help. Plenty of calming products exist to help reduce your pet’s stress when traveling. Many products utilize artificial pheromones to give your canine an increased sense of security, comfort, and tranquility.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is another natural option to lessen the stress of traveling. The CBD oil movement has gained a lot of momentum lately for its medical benefits, which can be enjoyed by both humans and their pets. CBD is famous for handling anxiety and depression, physical body pain, strengthening joints, and lowering the possibility of seizures. People that are hesitant to try CBD often group it together with THC and assume they’ll have a sense of inebriation. Despite similar chemical makeup, CBD is entirely natural and legal for human and pet usage.
Have your dog enjoy their pet carrier
Pet carriers offer an increased sense of safety and security for small to average-sized dogs. Size-wise, the carrier should have enough room for your dog to lay down comfortably inside. The key is to get your dog a positive association with the transporter. Use treats, toys, and anything else to help create a comforting relation with the carrier. You could also fill the carrier with a familiar blanket with the scent of your home. If your pup is skeptical about the transporter as a whole, try leaving a trail of treats leading to the carrier with a “jackpot” loot of treats inside as their final reward. You can even leave the door open during positive association training to make your dog feel less trapped in the carrier.
Reaching a destination as quick as possible is a naturally stressful task. Keep these tips in mind to ensure your four-legged companion is secure on your adventures.
