In today's issue:

-Meet our dog of the day

-Enjoy a laugh with our dog meme of the day

-Get great information in our featured article

-Take our action of the week

-Check out our family photo of the day

Want your pup to be featured here?

Join our Facebook group - Post Your Pooch!

Road Trip Woes: Do Our Four-Legged Friends Actually Get Car Sick?

For many of us, the dream is simple: windows down, a favorite playlist humming, and a happy dog with their ears flapping in the breeze as we head toward a weekend adventure. But for some pups, the mere sight of the car keys sends them hiding under the sofa. If your dog spends car rides drooling, pacing, or—heaven forbid—leaving a mess on the upholstery, you aren't alone.

The short answer is yes, dogs absolutely get car sick. Just like humans, our canine companions can suffer from motion sickness, but the reasons behind it can vary from biological hitches to "ruff" early memories.

The Science of the Sway

At its core, motion sickness in dogs is often a literal "mixed signal" sent to the brain. This happens when the inner ear, which controls balance, senses movement that the eyes aren't quite matching up with.

Interestingly, car sickness is significantly more common in puppies and young dogs. This is because the structures in their inner ear aren't fully developed yet. Many dogs actually "outgrow" motion sickness as they mature, much like children do. However, if a dog has a traumatic or nauseating experience in a car while they are young, they may develop a conditioned response where anxiety takes over even after their ears have fully developed.

Signs Your Dog is Feeling Green

Dogs can’t tell us they feel "queasy," so they use body language to signal their distress. Keep an eye out for these common symptoms:

• Excessive Drooling: This is often the first sign of nausea.
• Whining or Pacing: General restlessness and an inability to settle down.
• Frequent Yawning: This isn't tiredness; it’s a common sign of canine stress.
• Lethargy or Inactivity: A normally bouncy dog becoming "pancake-flat" on the seat.
• Vomiting: The most obvious sign that the stomach has had enough.

Turning the Ride Around

If your pup isn't a fan of the passenger seat, there are several ways to help them find their "road legs."

• Face the Front: Using a specialized dog seatbelt or crate helps keep them facing forward, which reduces the sensory conflict between their eyes and ears.
• The Power of Fresh Air: Lowering the window just an inch or two balances the air pressure inside the car and provides a cooling breeze.
• Short Hops: Practice makes perfect. Take "micro-trips" to fun places like the park or a pet store rather than only using the car for visits to the vet.
• Watch the Pre-Trip Meal: Try to avoid feeding your dog a large meal right before hitting the road. An empty stomach is generally a more stable one.

Whether it’s a quick trip to the local trails or a cross-country trek, understanding the "why" behind your dog’s discomfort is the first step toward a happier, healthier journey for everyone in the car. Safe travels!

Dog Food and Supplement Recalls

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

• Bonnihill Farms (Fromm Family Foods) - BeefiBowls Beef Recipe gently cooked frozen dog food, 16 oz. chubs for potential plastic contamination
• Foodynamics - Freeze Dried Pet Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
• Nature’s Own - Pet Chews Bully Bites Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.

Want to help find lost pets?

Download our RoverAlert app to receive notifications of missing pets in your area.

We want to feature your pup!

We want to share your pup with our pack. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we'll try to feature it as a family photo in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.