A weekend in the countryside or a long vacation, although the car is a mode of locomotion to which dogs adapt quite easily, some individuals may be stressed during the journey. Discover the tips that will optimize a car trip with your companion.
Pre-departure preparations
If your dog is prone to motion sickness, the first step in your preparations would be to consult your veterinarian so that he prescribes an appropriate vomiting medication for your pet. Stress can also invade some individuals during the trip. To relax your companion even before departure, you can also administer a tranquilizer prescribed by the veterinarian.
Before the trip, avoid feeding him to limit vomiting and nausea.
Optimize your car trip
It is recommended to install your dog in the back during the car trip and preferably attached to the seat belt with a specific harness. During the journey, remember to give him something to drink. A few sips every two hours will hydrate it. Your pet will also need to relax regularly. In addition, the temperature in the car should not be too cool or too heavy for him.
If you are traveling in the summer, it is better to reduce the heat by running a wet cloth over your car's head rather than opening the window wide or turning the air conditioning too low. This will only increase the risk of infection (ear infection, eye problems...), especially if your pet is having fun getting his head out through the window. If you stop for a meal, don't leave your dog locked in your car, even if the windows are open. Besides the fact that he could get heat stroke, he also needs to move around a bit and then rest in the cool under a tree for example.