Travelling with your pet can be a joyful adventure or a stressful nightmare. If your dog is healthy, has a confident disposition and is properly restrained, travel in a car can be very special times.  If your cat is  well, relaxed and in a comfortable carrier, car trips can be calm and uneventful. However, if the above conditions do not correspond to your pets, car trips with them may be dreaded, especially if your dog or cat suffers from motion sickness.

Felines tend to be highly territorial.  They are keenly sensitive to their surroundings and do not like change of any kind. This trait makes travel extremely stressful for them. The sensation of movement without any context or understanding, losing their sense of balance and breathing unfamiliar air loaded with strange smells can be frightening. If traveling is a problem for your cat, they will show a few of these symptoms: crying, howling, licking, drooling, pacing, circling, vomiting, urinating or defecating.  If not in a carrier, some cats will cling to you with their claws out, others will hide under a car seat or blanket. This is not bad behavior; this is fearful behavior.

Motion sickness in canines exhibits the same unpleasant range of symptoms as felines, but is a rarer condition in dogs. The theory is that most cats are only taken for car rides when they visit a vet or groomer so at the end of the scary trip they get poked with a needle, bathed or have their nails trimmed…not fun stuff for your feline. On the other hand, dogs also get those vet and groomer trips, but they also get taken to the dog park, have a day at the beach/forest/lake and other fun activities, so while cats rigidly associate a painful outcome with car trips, dogs don’t seem to have that same unchangeable anticipation.

If your cat or dog suffers from motion sickness here are some tools and tips to help prevent and manage the problem.

1. Start early to acclimate your new puppy or kitten to car trips. This can be as simple as taking your new pet out for short rides around the block at first and longer trips as your pet grows more comfortable. These early trips should be calm with a small treat reward accompanied by verbal praise at the end. This establishes in your pet’s mind that although the car ride may feel strange it ends happily so there is no reason to be fearful.
2. You need to have appropriate gear to keep your pets safe when traveling. Cats should always be in a comfortable carrier with which you have familiarized them. This means the carrier should have a comfy bed, a favorite toy, a treat and a water bowl (for longer trips). Dogs need to have a correctly sized seat-belt type restraint or be in a crate if riding in a vehicle.  A bed, toy and chew treat always enhances their experience.
3. Avoid feeding before travel. An empty tummy is less likely to get upset by the unfamiliar motions, and if vomiting or diarrhea happens, there will be less volume to clean up. Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst by bringing clean up materials and disposable bags to hold the soiled materials and lessen the smell.
4. Make sure the air quality is clean. No fragranced air freshener or strong cleaning products when traveling with pets. The car environment is quite small and contained. Open windows frequently to bring in fresh air.
5. For trips over ½ hour take short breaks. If possible, take your pet out on a leash or set their carrier outside for a few minutes as a relief from the travel motion, for fresh air and for them to regain a sense of equilibrium.
6. Try using the herb, Ginger. Ginger has been used for centuries to help with stomach issues. It is an anti-spasmodic which also works as an antacid. It is pungent and best given when disguised in your pet’s soft, moist food. Many cat show people, who travel extensively with their cats, mix ginger into a jar of meat-based baby food, making it a special food that their cats cannot resist. Dogs may enjoy a canine cookie treat with ginger in it.  Just be careful not to give sweetened cookie treats before traveling as they may upset your dog’s digestion. Ginger should be given around 30 minutes before the trip begins. Dosing amounts are:
   1. Cats under 5#             1/16 teaspoon
   2. Cats 5# – 10# 1/8 teaspoon
   3. Cats over 10# 1/4 teaspoon
   4. Dogs up to 10# 1/4 teaspoon
   5. Dogs 10# – 35# 1/2 teaspoon
   6. Dogs over 35# 3/4 teaspoon

No higher amounts should be given in a day, and these are maximum dosages which should be worked up to slowly.  While ginger is considered a very safe herb in correct dosages, not every pet will tolerate it. Carefully experiment with your pet before a trip and discontinue and consult a veterinarian if your animal has any reaction.

Here’s wishing you many happy travels with your favorite four-footed companions!