Motion Sickness, Anxiety, Boredom? Car Ride Solutions for Cotons

Recently, I heard from two Coton parents with different car ride challenges. One dog can’t wait to hop in the car but whines the entire trip, while the other refuses to set paw inside! Sound familiar?

Here in the states, it’s a delicious time of year for road trips so it’s the perfect time to tackle possible causes and solutions for these issues:

Why does your dog whine in the car? Whether they love car rides or feel anxious about them, there could be a few reasons behind the whining.

1. Anxiety or Fear:

Fear: Some dogs may have negative associations of previous experiences that were stressful. They are also being challenged to deal with unfamiliar sights and sounds.

Noise Sensitivity: The noise of the car and traffic, especially if it's loud or sudden, can be distressing to some dogs, causing them to whine. You can play relaxing music to calm your dog. There are many apps available such as Pet Relaxer or Relax my Dog.

Patience and baby steps really work wonders here. You can start by having your dog just sit with you in the car for a few minutes without even leaving your driveway. Then take a short drive around the block. Increase this by a few minutes every time your dog feels comfortable. For some dogs this can take days, and for others it may take months. Work on this every day for quicker results.

And Cotons are super sensitive to our emotions, so the calmer we are, the calmer they will be.

2. Physical Discomfort:

Joint Pain or Arthritis: Older dogs or those with joint issues may experience discomfort during car rides, leading to whining.

What can you do?

*Keep trips short if possible

*Provide comfortable seating such as a soft, supportive bed or cushion

*A supportive harness or sling can help get them in and out of the car and provide additional support during the ride.

*For longer trips, plan for regular stops to allow your dog to stretch and relieve pressure on their joints.

*Long road trips may require calming aids or even prescriptions to manage pain.

Motion Sickness: Dogs, especially puppies, can get dizzy or nauseous in the car. Some ways to help your dog include:

*Shorten the rides and gradually increase the duration as your dog becomes more comfortable.

*Avoid feeding before or during a car ride since a full stomach can contribute to nausea.

*Have your dog relieve themselves before the car ride.

*If possible, allow your dog to sit up front next to the window. This can help them feel less disoriented.

*Gradually expose your dog to car rides in a positive environment so they associate the trip as a happy experience.

Puppies will often outgrow this motion sickness stage, but if it persists, see a vet for ideas for supplements or even medications.

3. Boredom:

If the ride is too long or lacks stimulation, your dog may become bored and whine out of frustration.

Lucy, my own little travel companion, is usually fine in the car. But during a stretch of weekly doctor visits, which were over an hour away, she started to whine too. What helped? I made sure to give her a nice, long walk before the trip, so she was ready to relax. And of course, I packed some of her favorite toys to keep her entertained.

If you’ve found other tricks that work for your Coton on the road, I’d love to hear about them! Feel free to reply and share your experiences – I learn so much from you!

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