Each dog has a distinct personality. As a result, each dog reacts differently to a car ride. Even so, more than 70{f41f475236ca25f5a1ca6b12ea8d50378b1fc625bd2fd9eccef1a9ef250842cd} of dogs exhibit anxiety symptoms, which are frequently related to cars. What can pet owners do to make their pets feel more secure and at ease while driving? The following tips are for dog owners who want to help their pets who are afraid of cars.
To begin, there are several causes for a dog to exhibit symptoms of travel anxiety. One of the major contributors is motion sickness. Dogs, like humans, can experience motion sickness in a car. Puppy development of their ears and sense of balance is especially affected by this. Even if the puppy’s motion sickness subsides, there may be a link between driving and poor health.
Other factors, such as overstimulation or a recent car accident, could also contribute to the dog’s fear. A sensory overload can be caused by a number of factors, such as moving cars or loud, foreign noises that strain the ears. Such unpleasant feelings have the potential to spiral out of control, causing stress and anxiety. Not to mention the possibility that the dog will associate long car rides with taxing doctor visits.
What signs or symptoms should dog owners be aware of before going on a trip? The symptoms of an illness can be as diverse as people’s personalities. Increased panting, gnawing, licking, drooling, whimpering, or shivering are all signs of stress in dogs. Under more extreme conditions, premature urination or feces, nausea, diarrhea, or even a reaction may occur. If a dog reacts violently to a fear of cars, the owners must seek professional training as soon as possible. Otherwise, the dog may endanger itself as well as other people.
What else can pet owners do to reassure a scared dog? Given the gravity of the situation, a variety of treatments are available, including prescription medications, calming pheromone items, anti-anxiety compression jackets and collars, and over-the-counter calming medications designed specifically for dogs. These are frequently short-term solutions with no long-term consequences. The majority of experts agree that training and behavior modification are the best long-term methods for ensuring your dog’s success when traveling.
Although it is best to train a pet to be comfortable in a car when it is young, owners can use a variety of techniques to teach an older dog new skills and keep them calm in a moving car. More information on calming a canine travel companion can be found in the infographic below.