Cross country trip with my rott.

[nestamarley]

I will be driving 18 hours in a small car with my Rott. Probably do 10 hours the first day, 8 the second. Is there something I can give her to make her sleep most of this time? I have heard benedryl, but wanted to check if that is safe for dogs. Thanks in advance!

[2rotties2luv]

Best to check with your vet.

[Patty1231]

Why do you want him to sleep most of the time - does he not do well in the car? Mine would probably fall asleep on their own but they can also be great companions. Anyway, I agree - check with your vet if you must give him something.

[nestamarley]

She does alright in the car for small trips(1-3 hours). I am just figuring that after 5 hours, she may be very restless. I just want the option available. I guess I should explain more. I'll be driving a hatchback Civic, with two dogs(80 pound Rott, 40 pound mutt) with my passenger seat loaded with items. So it could be a miserable trip for the dogs.

[Patty1231]

You might want to just add in several leg-stretch stops - just like you would if you were traveling with children. (not to mention potty breaks). But I understand wanting the option available just in case things get ugly.

[wot_racing]

I put duke in the car for long times, and he is fine.... He lays down in the back seat, and just sleeps for the most part...

I would reccomend getting a harness that buckles him in... Not only is it safer, but you dont have to worry about him deciding to get the zoomies while you are going 75 miles per hour on the interstate!

[Patty1231]

Originally Posted by wot_racing

I would reccomend getting a harness that buckles him in... Not only is it safer, but you dont have to worry about him deciding to get the zoomies while you are going 75 miles per hour on the interstate!

Whoa! Now THAT could get ugly!

[wot_racing]

Originally Posted by Patty1231

Whoa! Now THAT could get ugly!

I could only immagine, but its the exact reason that my car doesnt move unless he is buckled in...

[babybluetx23]

petsmart sells a sleepy type chewable tablet that is suppose to be safe for dogs. You may want to look it up and then call a vet and ask if it would be ok to give to your dogs?

Here is something I found that May help:
Living with Pets -- Car Travel with Pets


Sometimes it seems that if God had meant for pets to ride in cars, he would have given them laps so that they could fasten their seat belts. Whether you're taking a pet across town to the veterinarian or across the country to a new home, keep in mind that a car is not an animal's natural habitat. Here are ways to make the ride safe and enjoyable -- or, in the case of cats, birds, and rodents, bearable.

For Dogs Only

You're in Back, Buster


Make sure all dogs, even toy breeds, ride in the backseat. That keeps them out of the driver's face, off the gear shift, off the brake, and out of range of the windshield if you stop suddenly.
If your dog is used to riding up front, put a long lasting treat -- a pig's ear or a nylon ring -- in the back on your next couple of trips. This should encourage the animal to develop a new habit.

You Could Be Asking for a Real Mesh


Considering buying one of those plastic mesh-type barriers that you erect between front seat and backseat to keep eager animals in the back (particularly when you stop suddenly)? It could be a good move -- if your car and your pet both meet certain requirements. Before you purchase one, ask the pet store or pet supply store whether you can install it in your car in the parking lot to check out how it affects visibility. And if you have a dog that's very aggressive about getting up front, forget it. A barrier like this won't deter him much.
Boy, Driving Makes Me Thirsty


Always give your dog extra water before and after drives if you're running the car's heater or air conditioner. Either will dehydrate the dog and dry up her mucous membranes, which can make her catch a cold easily.
Extra Driving Time with a Canine


When a dog is in the car for a long trip, be sure to stop every two to three hours and offer him a stretch, some water, food if it's dinnertime, and a visit to the facilities.
If you plan to take a lot of day trips and weekend trips with your dog, consider joining the American Automobile Association (AAA). On request, they'll map out a route to your destination, making sure to include properly spaced rest areas with dog facilities (gas stations tend to frown on dogs racing around or using the building or grounds as a bathroom). To get in touch with AAA, call toll-free directory assistance (1-800-555-1212) and ask for the number.

On long road trips, give your pet daily exercise.
For traveling dogs, at least half an hour of a vigorous game of fetch or a jog with you is important. If you like to let your dog run loose, do so only in a safe and appropriate area and, even then, only if the dog is well-trained to return on command.

Cats should be kept in a harness attached to a leash. Car rides and strange places are more upsetting to a cat than to a dog, and felines might bolt. Once your cat has relaxed into the journey, and if he will come when called, you might let the animal off the leash under your supervision -- but be cautious! For an added measure of safety, free the cat before feeding time, so hunger will provide an additional incentive for a prompt return.

Take familiar items with you.
A basket or piece of bedding from home can make any animal feel safer and more at ease. You could also take favorite toys to give your pet something to do.

Use commercial pet health foods for convenience, if necessary.
But add vitamin C and vitamin B complex to help traveling animals deal with stress.

Prepare for health problems that are common to most travelers.
Constipation can plague traveling pets. It can be caused by lack of exercise or water, infrequent stops or anxiety about strange new territories. Temporary constipation is not a serious problem and will usually clear up before long. For a dog you can prepare a useful preventive with figs, prunes and raisins as well as fresh berries or other fruits in season. Bran or psyllium husks are also helpful.

Nausea grips some animals when they ride in a car or plane, and they will either vomit or salivate excessively. The B-complex supplementation mentioned above will help prevent nausea. Also, encourage your pet to lie down on the floor of the car as a preventive. If motion sickness does occur, give your dog some peppermint tea or peppermint capsules to help settle her stomach (not so well tolerated by cats). An alternative to using peppermint tea is a formula made from the 38 flower preparations discovered by Dr. Edward Bach. Mix together Aspen, Elm, Scleranthus and Vervain and give two drops of this formula every two hours to relieve the emotional upset and subsequent nausea.

Occasionally, it is wise to fast a susceptible pet the day before departure or on the first day of the trip. For an animal going by public transit in a carrier, a 24-hour fast before the trip will generally prevent it from eliminating during the journey.

Aconitum napellus 30C is very useful for minimizing fear and upset before traveling. Give one pellet of this homeopathic remedy an hour before leaving home; give another pellet just a few minutes before actually leaving the house. This usually is enough for most animals and most trips. If nervousness returns, give your pet another dose (one pellet) during the trip itself. Rarely will this remedy be needed more than three or four times; in fact, most animals travel well with just the two doses given before leaving home. This medicine is very safe to use and often functions better than a tranquilizer.

Eye irritation may occur in a dog that likes to ride with its head out the window, testing all the interesting scents it passes. Sometimes dust and debris enter the dog's eyes at high speeds, scratching the cornea and irritating sensitive membranes. For a minor irritation, I suggest washing the eyes out with this mild salt (saline) solution quite similar to tears: Add a level 1U4 teaspoon of sea salt to one cup of pure water and stir. Keep the solution at room temperature; pour a small amount into a cup or dish and apply it by dripping it from a saturated cotton ball into the eye or by using a glass or plastic dropper. Administer the liquid until it runs out of the eye to flush out irritating substances.

For more serious irritations, use a cup of the same saline solution to which you add only five drops of tincture (or alcoholic extract) of the herb Euphrasia officinalis or eyebright. Use this solution in the eye four times a day.

If your pet has a serious corneal injury, the animal will keep its eye shut most of the time. In such a case seek veterinary help.


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Information and advice contained on this site is for your consideration only. Please consult your veterinarian for specific advice concerning the care and treatment of your pet.

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[spoteet]

I went on a 10 day driving trip from Cincinnati to Colorado and Utah with Mojo. We just stopped every 2-3 hours to let him and us stretch our legs. He got a little restless after the first 6 hours on the first day but after that was fine but then he was one well traveled dog too :)