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Tips for a stress free journey, anyone?

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  • 26-02-2009 2:55pm
    #1
    miss no stars
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,957 ✭✭✭


    It's that vaccination time of year again in our house...

    So neither the cat nor the dog like the car. The cat sobs away in her box thing and the dog whimpers and cries and tries to climb out of the boot (it's an SUV so he's able to see around him.

    We've already tried leaving the windows wide open so the dog can sense the speed but nothing seems to calm either of them down in the car, but mostly the dog. Goes completely hysterical (that is, after the battle to get him into the car) on the way there but is fine on the way home so it really can't be anything other than anxiety making him act out.

    Does anyone have any tips for making the trip a little easier on either animal?

    (we've tried just randomly bringing the dog in the car to the shops but nothing seems to get him over his car anxiety)


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    #2
    boomer_ie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 392 ✭✭boomer_ie


    miss no stars wrote: »
    It's that vaccination time of year again in our house...

    So neither the cat nor the dog like the car. The cat sobs away in her box thing and the dog whimpers and cries and tries to climb out of the boot (it's an SUV so he's able to see around him.

    We've already tried leaving the windows wide open so the dog can sense the speed but nothing seems to calm either of them down in the car, but mostly the dog. Goes completely hysterical (that is, after the battle to get him into the car) on the way there but is fine on the way home so it really can't be anything other than anxiety making him act out.

    Does anyone have any tips for making the trip a little easier on either animal?

    (we've tried just randomly bringing the dog in the car to the shops but nothing seems to get him over his car anxiety)

    Do you have a travel box or a crate in the house?

    If so consider placing them in the car assuming the dog/cat is comfortable in them in the house as they would regard the travel box / crate as a safe place to be.

    I never had problems with my dogs they just got used to it so didnt need to do anything so am only guessing. (Got to the stage that one of them would hop into ANY open car boot no matter what was in the boot already he felt that safe in them!)


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    #3
    DaddyOSphynx
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19 ✭DaddyOSphynx


    rescue remedy squirted into their mouths just before travelling really helped my pets and actually cleared up the dogs car sickness.


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    #4
    myjugsarehuge
    Closed Accounts Posts: 234 ✭✭myjugsarehuge


    miss no stars wrote: »
    we've tried just randomly bringing the dog in the car to the shops but nothing seems to get him over his car anxiety

    Try taking him for a short drive then going for a walk, even if its only for 10 minutes. That way he'll associate the car with something pleasurable and forget about vaccinations.


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    #5
    miss no stars
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,957 ✭✭✭miss no stars


    In a dramatic departure from the norm, they were fine this time :eek:
    The only difference is the cat now sits on the back seat where she can see the dog and he can see her. They also went into the consulting room together and kept each other company and comforted each other.

    And who ever said cats and dogs don't get on :)


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