How To Prepare Your Dog for a Long Car Drive?

Many dogs really like sitting in the car. They might look out the window and enjoy the fresh air and the wind in their healthy fur. Unfortunately, it is not always that easy. In fact, long car drives are likely to make dogs feel very anxious or get car sick. 

Is there anything that you can do in such a situation? Yes! There are quite a few things that you can do to prepare your dog for a long car drive. Do you want to know what they are? If your answer is yes, then you should keep reading!

In this article, you will find a list of things that will help prepare your dog for a rather lengthy car ride, ranging from giving it treats to make it comfortable. Check it out, see what options fit your dog’s needs best, and make your furry friend feel better!

Do you have a specific question about preparing your pup for a long car trip? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page. 

Give Your Dog Something to Chew On

Most dogs have a tendency to chew on things when they get nervous or excited. If that is the case with your dog, you should try giving it something to chew on during the car drive. There are many treats out there that you can buy with that purpose in mind.

For instance, if you really want your pet to stay calm, you can buy a pack of specialized treats, e.g. these calming chews for dogs by Relievet. They contain substances that are both safe for animals and effective, making these an excellent choice for a responsible dog owner.

Make Your Dog Feel Relaxed

The most important thing you might want to do is relax your dog before getting in the car. It can be a very stressful situation for your furry friend. That is especially the case if it is not used to traveling.

For instance, you might start preparing your pet for the trip a few weeks in advance. You can start with sitting down in the car, taking your dog in there, and just petting it and letting it rest. It will make your dog get used to the vehicle and its smell.

A day or two before the trip, you might want to tire your dog out by taking it out for very long walks and playing with it for hours on end. That way, it will not end up feeling restless inside the car and causing trouble. In fact, it might just fall asleep.

Be Ready to Deal with Car Sickness

You should check if your pet is prone to car sickness. Many dogs cannot stand the smell of the car, and they will always feel nauseous during longer trips. If you know for a fact that it is something that your dog is struggling with, talk to your vet about it.

To help you solve this problem, the vet might give you a prescription for anti-nausea medications. These anti-nausea medications will help prevent vomiting in your stressed and anxious pet. On top of that, a single dose can last up to twenty-four hours!

Make Your Dog Feel Comfortable

One of the most important things that you should do is try to make your dog comfortable in its carrier or wherever you will be keeping it. Some dogs may not want to sit in their carriers, as the closed space might make them feel very uncomfortable.

In that case, you might ask a family member to keep the dog in the back seat. That family member can take care of the dog, pet it, talk to it, and give it treats. You can take a few things that the dog is familiar with and place these inside the car, too.

For instance, you might want to give your dog its favorite indestructible toy or its favorite blanket. A familiar smell will likely help to make your furry friend feel safe and comfortable. Other than that, it will give it something to lean against, which is always nice.

So What’s the Best Way to Prepare Your Pup for a Long Trip?

There are many things that you can do to prepare your dog for a lengthy car drive. For instance, you can give it something to chew on and make it feel comfortable once it gets inside the car by bringing its favorite toys and blankets with you.

However, suppose your dog is unable to calm down while inside the car. In that case, you might want to buy anti-anxiety medication. There are many types of such medications, ranging from natural supplements to a bit stronger options. 

If that is something you would like to try out, talk to your vet about it and see what they have to say. It is very likely that they have already prescribed such medications to their other patients and are very familiar with the topic!

Thanks for the blog graphics: Canva.com

Thanks for the blog graphics: Canva.com

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