Dr. Karen Becker does such a great job blogging about pet issues from a holistic perspective on the Mercola site that I suggest signing up to get them regularly. I often post the topic here, adding my slant. Today she points out that our dogs may give us some early clues that they are slightly car sick.

Most of you know the drooling, whining, pacing, vocalizing and gulping indicate nausea. Did you know that yawning and listlessness might, too?

Dr. Becker says that most carsickness comes from anxiety and stress, but I would remind you of what you have been learning on my site, in my classes and Pet Health Coaching appointments – all symptoms are caused by the body’s attempt to re-balance the vibrational field/Chi/vital force. Some stressed dogs may be nausea, some may get aggressive, some may have diarrhea, etc. Each is unique. Dr. Becker reminds us about how some dogs need to eat before trips and others are best on empty stomachs.

Luckily holistic approaches, because they are targeting the underlying cause, will work regardless of the problems in the car. Essential oils, flower essences, acupressure, Tellington T-Touch, and especially Reiki (or other energy methods like Theta, Reconnective, Quantum, HTA) can be used totally safely for any mental, emotional or physical problems.

  • Flower essences are 100% safe and you need no training. You can read about the 38 Bach essences in several animals focused books (one is by Vlamis and Graham), and select ones for the specific symptoms your dog is showing. Rescue Remedy (a combo of 5 that is readily available) is a great place to start. Most towns have a store that carries it. You can buy the human one – no need for the pet one that is same, but has no alcohol in it. Put 4 drops in an ounce of water in a dropper or spray bottle. It can go in the mouth or on the skin, rubbed, or sprayed. Also spritz the air and the blankets. If your dog is very restless you may add Impatiens. Scleranthus restores balance so may help a dog who only is drooling when caused to be off balance. You can also order combinations specifically for vomiting, car sickness, emotions from other companies. Read my article on FE for more details.
  • To use Reiki and other energy treatments, you need to take a class. Once attuned, you need not have any idea of the problem, just that something is not right. You can become attuned for human or animals – it is all Reiki. The main difference is usually we do hands on for people, and offer from a distance for animals. That makes it great for driving. You can set the Reiki grid, offer it for a few minutes, then continue to offer it while you are driving. Once trained, I would offer Reiki daily.
  • Healing Touch for Animals would need to be done before and after the trip, but you can keep the intention even while you are driving.
  • I think everyone living with a dog needs to be trained in Tellington T touch and Clicker. Except for a few dogs who really have a severe problem with car travel, most dogs who have been super trained and know how to train you will do fine in the car.  If you are still coping with anxiety, you can try using an ace bandage as an “anxiety wrap”. Many other “touches” are useful for the various issues causing “car sickness”.
  • Essential oils can be wonderful. You must you organic, food grade from a company you trust. Do not use until offering them as different dogs are attracted or repelled  by different aromas (just like us!). Dilute them. Lavender(calming), peppermint (nausea), or car sick combos may help.
  • If none of the above permanently cures the problem and you still have to resort to the suggestions above, ones below, or others from Dr. Becker’s post, you need deep TCVM or homeopathy treatments to rebalance the energy field.

Certainly I agree with Dr. Becker that using some general “antistress” approaches may help with car-sickness.

In addition to these calming techniques that should resolve any travel issues, there are few other keys Dr. Becker suggests, including having someone with you to calm your dog while you’re driving, and remember that your state affects your dog, so speak gently and reassuringly regardless how she is acting. Have a very focused play session both at the destination and when you return home. Keep them interested by pointing out animals, scenery or other distractions out the window. If their head is out the window, Dr. B has a great picture of a dog with goggles and I love the book – the Dog who Wouldn’t Be by Farley Mowatt – his dog rode in the rumble-seat (that is still on my list) wearing goggles.

She suggests that the position of the dog may trigger nausea, so move the crate or harness attachment to different places, especially while you are doing really fun destination short car trips.

And a surprise to me was her suggesting that some carsick dogs are helped by wearing the plastic old fashioned type of Elizabethan collar (E-collar)