Can dogs get travel anxiety?

Travel anxiety in dogs stems from the fear of not understanding what is happening. If you are going to introduce your dog to an unfamiliar form of travel, you may find your pup suffering with some degree of fear or anxiousness — but there are lots of ways to help.



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And while it may sound like a good idea to travel with your dog, there are some definite disadvantages for our canine friends. A group of Canadian researchers suggested, in a study, that road and air travel are stressful for dogs, especially those who have not traveled before. But travel doesn't have to be stressful.

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Most of the time, dogs travel quite easily and do well without the need for medication. Some dogs, on the other hand, experience tremendous stress when subjected to air travel. Consult your veterinarian to create the best travel plan for your dog if he doesn't travel well.

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Plan to take a 15 to 30 minute break every 4 hours. You can also make very long trips more enjoyable for both of you if you plan stops at locations with pet-friendly attractions, even if it's just a nice dog park.

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This can be due to motion sickness, a previous bad event in the car like an accident, or anxiety about being trapped inside a giant, moving machine. A dog can even be put off car trips if the usual destination is somewhere unpleasant like the vet.

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Gabapentin and trazodone can be prescribed by your veterinarian for reducing your dog's travel anxiety, but they can come with unwanted side effects. Antihistamines, such as those listed above, can also be used to relax your dog, and often have fewer side effects than prescription sedatives.

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Stress signs to look for include whale eye (when dogs reveal the whites of their eyes), tucked ears, tucked tail, raised hackles, lip-licking, yawning, and panting. Your dog might also avoid eye contact or look away.

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