Traveling with your dog can bring its own set of unique challenges. From feeling overwhelmed and anxious during a car ride to being restless during long flights.
In this article, we'll explore what you can give your dog to calm them down while traveling - so everyone can have a stress free adventure!
5 Best things to give your dog to calm them down while traveling
Overall, the safest and most effective calming products for an anxious dog are calming chews. Calming chews are generally made with natural ingredients to relieve your dog's travel anxiety.
However, there are many ways to help calm your dog and some OTC products that may help. Let's take a look at the top 5 best products to calm dogs.
1. Calming chews
Calming chews are perfect for traveling. You can take them on the go, dogs love them, and they work!
Additionally, calming chews are an all natural remedy. They're made with natural herbs and vitamins like chamomile, passionflower, and hemp oil. These herbs work together to calm your dog's anxiety and provide a relaxing effect within an hour.
In addition to their calming properties, our calming chews contain ginger root. Ginger offers a calming effect but can also help reduce car sickness - it's a great digestive aid.
Instructions
- Give your dog 2-6 calming chews an hour before traveling
- Effects last 4-6 hours
- Another dose can be given after 4-6 hours
- Increase or decrease your dog's dosage depending on their reaction
2. Benadryl
Benadryl can be very helpful when traveling. With its sedative properties, it can soothe your dog's anxious nerves and help them relax during long drives.
Additionally, if your dog experiences travel sickness, Benadryl can help alleviate those symptoms and prevent them from ruining a fun road trip.
While it's important to consult with your veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet, Benadryl can be a great tool in making travel a more comfortable experience for both you and your dog.
Instructions
- Give your dog 1 mg of Benadryl per pound of body weight
- Administer the Benadryl an hour before traveling
- Effects last 4-6 hours
- You can give your dog 2-3 doses per day
3. Dramamine
Dramamine can be a great traveling tool. This antihistamine medication, also known as dimenhydrinate, is a go-to for humans experiencing nausea caused by motion sickness. Dimenhydrinate can also be a helpful tool in preventing your canine companion from getting car or air sick.
Additionally, it offers sedative effects and can reduce the itchiness associated with allergies in dogs. As always, be sure to consult with your veterinarian.
Instructions
- Give your adult dog 2-4 mg of Dramamine per pound of body weight
- Administer the Dramamine 30-60 minutes before traveling
- Give your dog no more than 1 dose per day
4. CBD Oil
CBD oil might be able to help during travel. Recent studies have shown that CBD oil can help calm dogs by reducing anxiety levels and promoting relaxation.
CBD is extracted from the entire hemp plant, creating an oil containing CBD extract and other cannabinoids. Cannabinoids can help calm your dog during car rides and act as a very mild dog sedative.
Always consult with your veterinarian before administering any new medication or supplement to your pet.
Instructions
- Follow the instructions on package
5. Prescription sedatives
Your veterinarian can prescribe medications to help manage your dog's severe anxiety or separation anxiety during travel, such as gabapentin, trazodone, and alprazolam.
However, it is important to note that these sedatives and anti-anxiety medication can come with unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness and nausea.
That's why it's crucial to talk to your vet about the best options for your dog, taking into consideration factors like their age, overall health, and any other medications they are taking.
Instructions
- Speak with your veterinarian
Bottom line
Anxiety in dogs is a very real and difficult challenge. And traveling with your dog can often be a stressful situation, but with the right products, you can give your dog the comfort and safety that they need.
Overall, calming chews are an effective way to reduce the stress and anxiety associated with traveling. Not only are they made from natural ingredients, but they can also relieve car sickness while keeping your dog calm.
Now that you know what to give your dog to calm them down while traveling, why not try out calming chews today? It could make all the difference for both of you!
Learn more about traveling with your dog in our article, "How to get rid of dog anxiety in the car: 5 Training Tips."
