PET TRAVEL TIPS Some cases of “car sickness” are actually anxiety about the destination. If your pet only gets in the car to go to the vet or the groomer (or whatever else they may nd stressful), the solution may be as simple as taking short trips to a destination that they enjoy; or taking a short drive and returning home to treats and cuddles. If your pet thinks the vet clinic is a scary place, bring them by occasionally just for pats and treats. If you do use a carrier or crate, it’s often helpful to have a familiar soft toy or blanket in with your pet. Avoid putting food or water in a carrier when travelling, rather provide these on stops or arrival at the destination. Your pet should never be unrestrained in the cabin of a moving vehicle. Even a minor accident can cause serious damage to a pet-turned-projectile, and moving about the cabin can interfere with its safe operation. Ask us about the cat who curled up under the brake pedal of a moving van…. Some animals enjoy the security of an enclosed place during travel and seem much less stressed if they’re conned to a crate or carrier. Others like to look around and enjoy the scenery – harnesses that connect to the seat belt in your car are great for these happy travelers. You may have to experiment to see what your pet prefers. How Calm are You? Timid or Tourist? Some pets travel very well while others don’t and may be anxious, scared and even car sick. Here are a few tips to consider to make travelling a more pleasant experience for you and your pet. Car Sick or Destination Sick? Mind your own level of stress when driving. If you’re your pet’s nose is much more sensitive than yours, l Cocculus: If your pet truly suffers from motion Is Your Pet Healthy? hourly, if needed. distance travel, some animals may require Hormonal or biochemical imbalances (like adrenal or thyroid disease) can affect your pet’s ability to deal with stress. Minor chiropractic sub-luxations may contribute to motion-sickness or uneasiness. Additionally, they can make it painful to make the subtle posture shifts needed to maintain balance in a moving vehicle. This would be a major consideration in a pet that used to travel well and has become anxious over time. help to calm pets. Give a small amount of ginger, either fresh ground l Rescue Remedy/Emergency Essence: 2-4 drops l Pheromones: available as sprays or collars can l Lavender: the scent of lavender is very calming to Helpful Aids: l Ginger: very effective at settling a queasy tummy. pets. Put a few drops of lavender essential oil on a before travel. Also put a little lavender in the car about 20 minutes before travel. Remember that root or extract, about 30 minutes before travelling. stressed, you may be inadvertently transferring your stress to your pet. Take a few deep breaths. Turn on the radio, and even sing along! cloth or cotton ball near your pet about an hour so a little goes a long way. If you can barely smell it, that’s about the right strength for your pet. every half hour, if needed. sickness, homeopathic Cocculus 30c, given 15 minutes before travel may really help. If your trip is longer than an hour, take some along to give l Medication: In some cases, especially for long tranquilizers of other anti-nausea medication to help them to travel more comfortably but in many cases addressing the basics above helps to make all the difference.