car sick dog

[mossoak]

I was wondering if anybody has problems with their dog getting car sick? I have only one problem with my beautiful chocolate lab, she can't go for car rides longer than 20 minutes. My in-laws live in Crosslake MN, about a 3 hour drive. Mossy will physically shake and pant the WHOLE ride. When we stop and let her out suddenly she is fine. Our vet said give her Benadryl, which we have tried and it has not worked. We have set up play dates for her before a trip so by the time we leave she is dead tired. Still she shakes and pants. Oh, and she has to be in the front seat or it is much worse. So 60 pound Mossy rides on my wife's lap for 3 hours straight. Help!!! Has anybody encountered this problem and what have you done??

[MikeSan]

I have a shepard Mix that was the same way. I let him ride in the back seat and he would shake and drool like crazy. I decided to put him in his crate, mostly to save the upolstry in the car. After I started to use the crate he rides much better. He now rides for 4 to 5 hours at a time and sleeps the whole ride. I think he feels safer in his crate, rather than having free rein in the back seat. Just an idea it worked for me.

[Mr. B]

Are you sure it is being car sick and not that Mossy is scared or nervous about being in the car? My lab acts the same way but only when my wife and I are having a heated discussion.

Not really sure what can be done, but it sounds to me that Mossy is nervous about the car ride.

[Try Too Fish]

I agree with Mr B! It sounds like the dog has a fobia about riding in the car.

Hows your driving???

Seriously tho i would try a crate. the key is making sure the dog is very comfortable with the crate before you take her for a drive. Most dogs that are crate trained find security in the crate.

good luck!

[jigstick44]

I have the exact same problem with my Lab/springer mix. I looked it up on the internet and one site suggested dramamine, so I tried that. It has worked a few times but you do have to make sure you give it to the dog a good 2 hrs before the car ride. But as a side note the dramamine will really take the life out of them for awhile, very sleepy and just plain lying around for a bit.

[settersit]

My setter would get carsick until she was 6mo. old. Then she out grew it. According to my vet this is quite common with younger dogs. Also, letting her travel out of the kennel seems to prevent the "virtego" effect causing carsickness. After she's hunted and tired, the kennel is her "happy place" and nothing bothers her.

[CAJ]

I was watching TV, and I think it was an add from Pet smart. They have a new drug that was just approved for motion sickness for dogs. Check with your local Vet. Maybe they have heard of it by now. CAJ

[gspman]

I had a carsick dog too. But she outgrew it. My vet also said this is not uncommon amongst young dogs and usually they outgrow it, especially with larger breeds which most hunting dogs are.