Motion sickness in dogs

There are dogs that don't like driving and get car sick. Most dogs can get rid of this problem. It is much more fun, for both owner and dog, when your dog can just go to the fun beach and forest walks!

Cause of motion sickness in dogs

When a difference arises between the observed movement and the actual movement, nausea occurs.  Especially if the directional changes by the dog (or human) are not observed. The equilibrium organ (in the middle ear) does undergo these directional changes. This organ contains sensitive hairs with moisture inside. The moisture moves with directional changes and the hairs record the movements of the moisture. The hairs then send signals to the brain. These signals then deviate from the signals of the dog's eyes and this causes disorientation. Disorientation can then activate the fallow centre.

How do you recognize motion sickness?

• gasp
• restlessness
• slobber
• vomit
• vibrate

Treatment of motion sickness in dogs

The vet has tablets for car sickness.

You can try to get your dog used to the car, put it in the car but don't drive. Furthermore, it is important that you drive as carefully as possible. So do not go too fast through the bends and not too fast over thresholds, this reduces the chance of nausea. Give him something to eat before driving but certainly not too much so that it is not too heavy on the stomach.