15 Tips for Keeping Your Dog Calm on Car Trips

Car trips often prove stressful for everyone taking them. Spending extended periods of time in cramped quarters tests the strongest individual’s nerves resulting in anxiety. Such an experience might lead to even greater tension and stress for dogs. Learn 15 tips for keeping your dog calm on car trips.

Prepare Your Dog with Routine Car Trips

Dog behavioral specialists suggest that pet parents properly acclimate their dogs to car travel prior to taking long trips. A furry friend should be included in short, regularly taken trips to introduce the dog to make the dog more comfortable about spending time in the car. That said, make sure the destinations end in enjoyment for the pup. Trips to unpopular locations like the vet’s office may only increase the dog’s anxiety level related to car travel.

Pack a Doggie Bag

Car trips often heighten your dog’s anxiety because such experiences remove them from their comfort zones. You might ease these concerns by preparing a doggie bag complete with items such as:

• Water and food bowls
• Treats
• Toys
• Blanket or bed (if space permits)

Veterinary professionals also recommend bringing along pet grooming wipes. These cleansing products not only reduce your dog’s exposure to germs and other potentially dangerous particles but often also refresh and calm them.

Make Sure Your Dog Is Tired

Dog behavior specialists recommend tiring out your dog the day before embarking on a long car journey. A fun walk or run with their favorite human or an outing to the local dog park often zaps your furry friend’s energy leaving them too exhausted to express anxiety or excitement during the road trip.

Keep Motion Sickness at Bay

Yes. Just like their human friends, dogs suffer from motion sickness. Fortunately, pet parents might prevent possible unwanted side effects like vomiting through efforts like keeping the car’s internal temperature relatively cool, not giving their pet food or water in the hours before leaving, keeping windows down when outside temperatures permit, and administering motion sickness-combating medications when need be.

Make Frequent Stops

Those traveling with dogs are strongly encouraged to make frequent stops. These respites allow dogs to release tension by moving their muscles and promoting proper blood flow. Stops should occur every two to three hours.

Spray Pheromones and Other Scents Throughout the Car

Pheromones are chemicals the bodies of animals release that impact the senses and create certain reactions. In dogs, pheromones and various natural scents create a sense of calm that often comes in handy when sprayed throughout a vehicle before leaving on a long trip.

Ensure the Dog’s Safety

Items like car harnesses or traveling crates offer dogs a sense of security. When animals feel safe, they are more likely to remain calm. Moreover, these devices lessen their chance of injury in the event of an accident.

Place Your Dog on a Leash

Your dog’s leash provides a sense of comfort because of its familiarity. That said, the item also strongly connects the dog and its owners. Furthermore, leashes decrease the chance of dogs jumping out of cars at inopportune times.

Pick the Shortest Route

When bringing your pet along for a long car ride, carefully map out the shortest possible route. Taking such action reduces the risk of your pet experiencing any discomfort or anxiety.

Entertain Your Dog

Keeping your pet entertained takes their mind off being in the car. Engaging your pet with toys, games, or simply petting them stimulates their minds and often increases their comfort levels. Moreover, mental and physical stimulation zaps their energy levels and heightens their desire to sleep.

Provide Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement goes a long way toward keeping your dog happy during family car trips. Dogs love receiving praise and rewards. Offering your fur baby a handful of treats using a reassuring voice lets them know you recognize them and will likely result in calmness.

Use Calming Supplements

Various vitamin preparations contain natural ingredients known to produce calm in dogs. Therefore, administering these substances prior to leaving on a long vehicular excursion may prove beneficial. That said, vitamin supplements may produce side effects and should not be given without first consulting with your dog’s veterinary care provider.

Play Music

When traveling with your dog, be sure to flip on the radio or attach your phone to the speaker system and activate your playlist. Researchers maintain that music creates an immune response in dogs resulting in decreased stress levels.

Never Leave Your Dog Alone

While traveling, never leave your dog alone. In unfamiliar settings or circumstances, dogs seek comfort from those they trust the most. A surefire way to increase your furry friend’s tension is to leave them alone even for a few minutes.

Visit the Vet

It is a good idea to visit your vet before embarking on your journey. A vet will determine if your dog is fit for extensive car travel. Moreover, they can prescribe the most appropriate treatment options for any conditions capable of posing potential problems.

Summary of 15 Tips for Keeping Your Dog Calm on Car Trips