Each canine has a unique personality. As a result, each dog’s reaction to a car ride is unique. Even However, more than 70% of dogs exhibit anxiety symptoms, which are often centered around cars. What can car owners do to make their pets feel safer and more at ease while traveling? The advice that follows is for dog owners who want to help their pets who are afraid of cars.
First, there are a number of causes for a dog to exhibit symptoms of travel anxiety. Motion sickness is one of the key contributors. Just like us, dogs can get motion sickness in a car. Due to the development of their ears and sense of balance, puppies are particularly affected by this. Although the puppy’s motion sickness may go away, there may still be a link between driving and poor health.
The dog’s fear could also be brought on by other elements like overstimulation or a recent auto accident. A sensory overload can be brought on by a variety of things, including moving cars or loud, foreign noises that strain the ears. Such unpleasant feelings could spiral out of control and cause stress and anxiety. Not to mention the chance that the dog will link lengthy car trips with taxing doctor visits.
What symptoms or signals should dog owners be alert to before a trip? The signs of an illness can vary just as much as people’s personalities do. Indicators of stress in dogs include increased panting, gnawing, licking, drooling, whimpering, or shivering. Premature urination or feces, nausea, diarrhea, or even a reaction, may happen under more extreme conditions. If a dog reacts violently to a fear of cars, the owners must seek professional training right away. Otherwise, the dog might endanger both itself and other people.
What other actions may pet owners do to comfort a fearful dog? Given the seriousness of the problem, there are a variety of treatments available, including prescription medications, calming pheromone items, anti-anxiety compression jackets and collars, as well as over-the-counter calming medicines created especially for dogs. These are frequently temporary fixes with no long-term consequences. The majority of experts concur that the best long-term methods for guaranteeing your dog’s success when traveling include training and behavior modification.
Although it’s ideal to train a pet to become used to the car when it’s young, owners can use a variety of techniques to teach an older dog new skills and maintain their composure in a moving car. See the infographic below for more information on reducing a canine travel companion’s anxiety.