Car sickness/whining

[Jingleballs]

Our girl isn’t great in the car, When we first got her, she couldn’t go for a 5 minute drive without being sick. Now she’s generally fine on her daily drive to and from my parents or the dog sitter.

Longer journeys are hit and miss – if she lies down she’s fine but she’s quite nosy and constantly looking about and moving about in the boot of the car. She can also be quite whiny but she’s like that in general if she’s worried, excited etc – she’s quite a vocal dog but again, if we can get her to lie down, she’s ok.

We are hoping to take her for lots of adventures over the summer and want to make sure she’s happy in the car and not sick. We already make sure we don’t feed her in the hours before a car journey, we open the window for her but she’s still sometimes sick. She doesn’t tend to get upset though – other than the whining there is not panting or signs of stress and it’s hard to tell if she’s whining because she’s worried or excited as usually going in the car means she’s going somewhere good.

We are changing car shortly to one with a bigger boot – although she has room at the moment it’s not ideal and the new car will be much better.

I was wondering if something like this might help her as it will restrict movement and almost force her to lie down which will hopefully resolve the problem? Or are there any medications/herbal alternatives that might help? We’ve tried ginger biscuits but it’s a bit hit and miss.

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product....m_medium=cpc&gclid=COeQnaSmnL0CFU_KtAodSxMARA

 

[paisley]

Whippet was car sick up to at least 1 year old- I tried every location in the car, with travel crate (like you've seen), various remedies, and every manner of postive association (getting in the car, have some chicken, get out straight away etc).
What worked for us was a 5-10min walk, no food for at least 4-5 hrs, wees/poos done (he whinged madly the other day in the car, turned he really needed to go!), and lying down in regal comfort on a folded up duvet on the back seat with the passenger seat put back to make it a very secure space. His car harness also restricts his movement, and opening windows a tiny bit for air just makes him want to poke his nose up to the window.
Any long journeys had a break every hour or so, and he made it to Cornwall (6hrs) with no puking at all. What he really hated was twisty/windy roads, once on the motorway he was usually fine. Not had any bother for over three years, as he now associates car with fun. I'm sure you've tried everything, but there is hope! x

 

[twiggy2]

I would get a proper metal crate and lay a blanket over it, I worry about the material ones sliding about or toppling over when going round corners

 

[PorkChop]

Tbh you are doing everything right - I think it is just one of those things that can take a lot of time.

Our Rottweiler is the same, but week by week she gets better, you have made a lot more progress than we have!

 

[splashgirl45]

i also think a metal crate would be better as you can put a blanket over the top and sides and dog can only look to the front and see his people and not see out of the windows to the side. my lurcher is not sick but is unhappy if loose in the car and would never relax. i have an atlas car kennel and she lies down and relaxes straight away so well worth the expense IMO...