Motion sickness in dogs can be a tricky issue to navigate. While some dogs are able to travel long distances in a car without any difficulty, others experience motion sickness that can make even a short journey unbearable. One of the medications commonly used to treat motion sickness in humans is Dramamine. But can you give a dog Dramamine for motion sickness? It’s a question that is frequently asked by pet owners and one that comes with a complex answer. In this blog post, we will cover the various considerations and factors related to the use of Dramamine for dogs with motion sickness. We will also take a look at the potential risks, benefits, and alternatives to Dramamine. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of whether this is an appropriate solution for your dog’s motion sickness.
Symptoms of Motion Sickness In Dogs:
Dogs may experience negative reactions to car travel that aren’t always vestibular in nature. Anxiety frequently feeds into many of the side effects of motion sickness in cars.
But even without anxiety, your dogs may develop extreme adverse relationships to the car, which could be a result of a traumatic association with driving or with the car itself. Going to the vet, leaving their previous family/home, or being taken to a shelter can all cause your dog to associate travel with negativity. Of course, you can use online vet chat for some cases, but you can’t fully eliminate driving with your pet in a car.
While the majority of pet owners probably have no problem giving their animal Dramamine, some may prefer a more natural remedy. Consult your veterinarian if your dog has a persistent issue with motion sickness or nausea while riding in a car. You may not want them on the drug every week.
Taking care of these issues with your pet will help them become less dependent on the medication, saving you money and minimizing Dramamine for dogs’ long-term effects.
Crate training is one of the most efficient techniques that your veterinarian will probably suggest. The process of crate training involves teaching your dog to feel secure and at home in a cage. By doing this, they will experience stability and comfort rather than fear when traveling in their crate.
Your pet can be trained to use a crate by having their favorite toys, pillows, and blankets placed inside of it so that it resembles a bed rather than a box. Giving your pet treats for entering the crate and hiding treats inside the blankets or pillows can help them overcome their aversion to the enclosure.
Most animals, including dogs, take a lot longer than people to get used to new environments. While you might consider your home to be a refuge from the outside world, many times our pets view it as the entire world. Going to a new park or making even minor changes can upset your dog.
Instead of just throwing your dog in the back and driving off, you can introduce your dog to riding in a car in a less abrupt manner by taking baby steps.
Getting your dog accustomed to being in the garage is a good first step. Your pet will feel less fearful of the car itself if you spend positive time with them there, especially if your car is there.
From there, you can gradually progress to quick trips around the neighborhood, a little bit longer drives, and eventually a full-on road trip.
While you might be able to drive for long distances without stopping more than once or twice, your pet probably won’t be as resilient. Regular breaks where they can exit the vehicle, go for a walk, eat, and use the restroom will help to reduce their anxiety.
Your pet will be able to recover from any motion sickness by stopping every one to two hours. Just keep in mind that even if they aren’t complaining, they might be in pain or discomfort. They deserve a break just like we do.
Lethargy or sedation, dry mouth, and urinary retention are Dramamine’s most frequent adverse reactions. These side effects should be manageable and mild as long as you aren’t medicating your dog for days on end.
Consult your veterinarian about reducing the dosage of Dramamine or switching to a different medication if you notice these side effects in your dog within a half-hour and are worried for their wellbeing.
Each pup is unique, and each will respond to the medication differently. Although Dramamine is thought to be a generally safe medication for dogs, your veterinarian can inform you of any potential side effects.
Additional negative effects like diarrhoea, vomiting, weight loss, and decreased appetite may occur. These are less common and should be taken seriously. Keep an eye on your dog’s behavior, and if you notice any of these more serious side effects within a half-hour, stop giving Dramamine and talk to your dog’s doctor about their health.
Giving your dog Dramamine shouldn’t generally cause any issues. However, there are some circumstances where you should hold back.
Giving your dog Dramamine while she is expecting or nursing can be harmful to the pups in the litter because the medication may transfer to them. If your dog is a working dog, be aware that taking Dramamine may make them sleepy and lethargic during their regular tasks and duties.
Additionally, because the medication is an antihistamine, it may be dangerous for your dog if they have an allergy to antihistamines. Dramamine shouldn’t be given to dogs with conditions like high blood pressure, glaucoma, seizures, intestinal or urinary obstruction, hyperthyroidism, prostate disease, or lung or heart disease because the side effects could be much more severe.
If your dog has any of the following conditions, Dramamine for dogs is not advisable:
It should be safe for your dog to take Dramamine if they don’t have any of the health conditions listed. But before giving your dog any new medication, you should always call your veterinarian.
The best way to know how much Dramamine to give your dogs is to consult with your veterinarian, who can weigh your dog’s weight, age, and health before prescribing Dramamine. Consult your veterinarian before giving Dramamine to your dog as there is no “one size fits all” dosage.
Generally speaking, 2-4 mg per pound of your dog’s weight when administering a standard tablet to your pet is a safe dosage.
If youre giving it to your dog for travel or motion sickness, wait to administer it until 30 minutes prior to when youll actually be leaving. This way it begins to take effect right as you are hitting the road. Your vet would also recommend that you leave 8 hours between each dose to ensure your pets safety.
One final recommendation, regardless of whether you plan to give your dogs Dramamine: try to feed them well before takeoff, and make sure they go potty first. Less food means less chance of a mess if the medication doesn’t work.
Dimenhydrinate or meclizine are the two active ingredients in the various forms of Dramamine. All forms of dimenhydrinate—standard tablets, chewable tablets, and the form intended for children—should be safe for dogs to consume when given in the recommended dosage.
Meclizine is used in “All-Day/Less Drowsy” versions of the drug because it is less sedative and should be equally safe.
But given that they have a substantial amount of ginger in them, “Non-Drowsy Naturals” tablets are not secure. Small doses of ginger are safe for dogs, but not at the high concentration found in this form.
Your dog can overdose on virtually any medication, just like people.
Overdosing on Dramamine that contain meclizine will usually result in increased sedation or hyperactivity, but dosages high above the per pound prescribed amount may cause your dog to hallucinate, have seizures, have urinary retention, or an increased heart rate.
Dimenhydrinate overdoses can cause seizures, comas, hyperventilation, or even death. Contact a veterinarian right away if your dog exhibits any toxic symptoms.
After giving your dogs Dramamine, always monitor their condition. Make sure you are aware of how the drug may interact with any prescription or over-the-counter medications you may be taking as well as other medications. Watch for indications that their condition is getting worse, and if you see that they are displaying overdose symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as you can. The sooner it is treated, the better chance your dog has of recovering.
The effects of one round of Dramamine should be waning as the effects of a new round are starting to take effect, if you are timing your dosages correctly.
Generally speaking, it’s best to wait 8 hours between doses. Give your dogs their medication at least 30 minutes before you are about to leave if you are giving them a dose for a road trip.
It’s not uncommon for dogs to resist taking a medication dosage. The majority of the time, there is a foolproof method for mixing a dose of medication into a dog’s favorite meal or treat. A “pill popper” is also available for purchase online or at your neighborhood pet store.
These are tubes-shaped devices with a pill-holding end. You insert the tube into their mouth, releasing the pill from the end closest to the back of their mouth. This stops them from being able to spit out the pill and is effective for medications that should be taken whole.
These are reasonably priced and useful each time your dogs need to administer a dosage of medication.
Your dog’s ECS system, which manages their mood, sleep, appetite, and other functions, is stimulated by CBD. It can control anxiety brought on by travel and quickly and naturally reduce nausea. Some pet owners may decide not to give their dog Dramamine, despite the fact that it can be a great way to treat motion sickness and nausea.
It’s reasonable to want an alternative medication for your pet, whether it’s because of an antihistamine allergy or you just want to give them something natural. The symptoms of motion sickness and nausea in your dog can be effectively treated with vet-approved cannabidiol (CBD) treats and oils for dogs.
How to Give Dramamine to Dogs
Over-the-counter versions of Dramamine come in tablet and liquid forms. It is typically easiest to administer tablets to your dog by concealing them in a high-value treat. To trick your dog into taking the pill, first give him a treat without the medication, then give him the treat with the medication concealed inside, and then give him another treat right away. Your dog might not even notice the pill hidden in the treats because he will be so excited to eat them all.
Use the provided syringe to dispense the correct dosage of Dramamine liquid using the provided formulation. Holding your dog’s head firmly in place, slide the syringe behind his teeth into the corner of his mouth. Once the syringe is in position, give the medication. After giving the medication, hold your dog’s head up straight for a few seconds to make sure he swallows it.
Sedation or sleepiness is the most typical adverse reaction in canines. Since some herding breeds of dogs may be more susceptible to the sedative effects of antihistamines, this is a problem that frequently affects them.
Other negative effects of taking large doses of Dramamine include:
Dramamine overdose is possible and might even occur at doses less than 1 mg/kg above the recommended dosage. It is crucial to closely adhere to your veterinarian’s dosage recommendations and to get in touch with them right away if you experience any negative side effects.
FAQ
How much Dramamine can I give my dog for motion sickness?
When all else fails, pets can benefit from the same medication that people use to prevent motion sickness while driving, dimenhydrinate (Dramamine). At least an hour prior to car travel, medium to large dogs should receive 25 to 50 milligrams of Dramamine, while cats and small dogs should receive about 12 milligrams. 5 milligrams.
Can dogs take Dramamine for humans?
Dogs can take common human motion sickness medications like Dramamine or Gravol, which contain the active ingredient dimenhydrinate. Dogs should take 4 to 8 mg per kilogram of body weight, up to three times per day.
What can I give my dog for motion sickness?
The over-the-counter medications Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) can be used to treat motion sickness in dogs. Both items are sedative-like antihistamines that can be taken every 8 hours. Giving Dramamine along with a small amount of food may improve its tolerance.
What kind of Dramamine can I give my dog?
Dimenhydrinate or meclizine are the two active ingredients in the various forms of Dramamine. All forms of dimenhydrinate—standard tablets, chewable tablets, and the form intended for children—should be safe for dogs to consume when given in the recommended dosage.