Dog not good in car… suggestions? Anyone used nutracalm?

[Custardpudding]

He just pants. Even five min after getting in the car. Even if I sit with him. We tried nutracalm and it took the edge of it, but not really any difference. Has anyone used it and can tell me a bit more about how it worked well for you? I gave it 2 hours before travel but he didn’t settle for 5 hours. It was a 10 hour journey (with walkies stops) . Is there anything better? We have another car journey coming up. Thank you

Can you put him in a cage with a sheet draped across?
The key is, don't let him see out the front or side windows.
Then take lots of little journeys to get him used to it.

I think it’s the movement more than what he sees? He lies on his mat on the back seat. Even if I sit with him he’s panting and stressed. He’s only 4 and never used to be like this. He’s even stressing for short 20 minute journeys.

You can trial if he feels sick. There’s a drug called Cerenia you get from the vets that (if it’s that) should cure it within a couple of longish journeys. If it’s not that you really do need to go back to basics and desensitise him to the car (this can take months). 10 hours even with stops is a very long time to be in distress and he’ll remember it.

Start giving him the Nutracalm the day before or a couple of days to get it well into his system. I use it for reactive purposes and it's great. Good luck.

I rescued a dog aged about 18 months who had been thrown from a moving car outside the shelter. He vomited within minutes when I drove him home, then immediately the next two short car trips
my vet recommended - walk him round the car, treat, fuss, go a walk. Gradually build to opening the door, treat, fuss go a walk. Then put him in the boot (that’s where mine travel), treat fuss take a walk. You get the picture, over several days build to starting the engine, sit a minute or two treat, fuss, walk. I built to driving a few yards down my drive, repeat - then 25 yards, 50 etc till I ciudad drive 8 mins to park where he got loads of praise and excellent off lead walk
two weeks later we did 250 miles, with a couple of stops
best of luck

I’ve used Nutracalm and find it helpful. If we go on long trips I make sure dog has had a walk and a wee/poo before we go. I also use a spray on her bedding and a bandanna and I think that helps too it’s called Pet Remedy.

Thank you all. This is really helpful. It’s horrible seeing him pant, it’s just odd as nothing has happened. Other than a long trip to go on holiday. And he loved the holiday, big walks and swims every day. He wasn’t sick in the car. We gave him a good walk and play before we set off, we stopped for a walk en route. I also sat with him in the back a bit, thinking he would snuggle down. But he was just on alert and panting. I’ll try the herbals again and try them a couple of days. I’m at a loss to explain what’s changed. I’ll try jumping him in and out to desensitise him too. Please keep commenting If you have more brain waves. I really appreciate it. Thank you

@Theoscargoesto I’ve just read about the pet remedy, thank you. Can you tell me about the bandana?

There isn’t magic in the bandanna it’s just something near her nose to spray the stuff on to! We have a van bought in lockdown to do lovely holidays and the bloody dog hates it. As you say, not sick but panting and restless….. we spray her bed which she sits in and a bandanna round her neck and I do think this and Nutracalm help.

Oh yes, that’s a good idea and it’s near him. So I can use the spray and nutracalm and it’s not too much overload? I’ll do that. And I’ll give the nutracalm to him for two days before travel too to get it in his system. Full dose of 3 nutracalm for a couple of days will be ok? , he’s big…
thank you …

Mine is around10 kg so smaller but yes I use both. I dose her up about an hour before we travel, and spray when we leave. It’s all herbal/natural so I can’t see that using both is an issue. I haven’t tried giving the nutracalm the day before travel.