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Yes, but it’s important to remember that not all calming products are sedatives.
Many cats can travel comfortably using pheromone sprays, calming treats, or supplements without prescription. If your cat has severe anxiety or if they’ll be traveling long distances, then it’s worth chatting with a veterinarian who may prescribe a higher-strength product appropriate for your cat’s medical history and behavior.
You may see some people recommend using Benadryl, which is an antihistamine medication for humans. We wouldn’t recommend using these for your cats unless a veterinarian has recommended you do.
🐈⬛ Types of Medicine That Can Calm Cats for Travel
- Gabapentin
- Trazodone
- Acepromazin
- Xanex
These (and others) are prescribed by a veterinarian, but if your cat has mild travel anxiety, then you may find it helpful to explore over-the-counter cat calming products.
We’ll list links below if you’re interested in getting straight into researching the options. We’ll include some of the pros and cons of each option further down in the article.
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| Cat Calming Spray | Spray inside the carrier and on any bedding and toys that are going to be in the carrier. | Comfort Zone Check Price on Amazon.com Feliway Check Price on Amazon.co.uk |
| Bach’s Rescue Remedy | Put on the tongue or add to food and water | Check Price on Amazon.com Check Price on Amazon.co.uk |
| Zylkene UK | Sprinkle onto cat food | Check Price on Amazon.co.uk |
| Calming Treats | Treats can be given to reward good behavior. | Check Price on Amazon.com YuMove Tablets Check Price on Amazon.co.uk Scrumbles Treats Check Price on Amazon.co.uk |
🐈⬛ When Medicine Isn’t Necessary
Many cats travel happily without any medication, especially if they’ve been trained to enjoy (or at least tolerate) a carrier and if the journey is calm. We’d always recommend spending some time carrier training with your cat. This isn’t always possible, but some cats can learn to use their carrier without any drama if they’re given enough time and positive reinforcement. This can mean leaving the carrier out ahead of your journey, so the cat has time to explore it without any pressure. You could also add a calming spray, toys and bedding. This is what we did with our cat, and it has saved us so much stress over the years. This isn’t to say that every cat will be chill about traveling, but it’s worth a try.
- Covering the carrier with a towel or blanket can help keep an anxious cat calm. It may also reduce the likelihood of them getting motion sick.
- Spraying the carrier and bedding with a cat-calming spray can help.
- Traveling during quieter times and maintaining a steady speed may also help
- Avoid loud music
- Keep the temperature in the car cool and steady
- Make sure the carrier is secured properly.
🐈⬛ When to See Your Vet
- If you cat has previously injured or made itself ill when traveling
- Your cat has a heart condition
- Your cat is elderly
- Your cat has breathing problems
🐈⬛ What About Using Benadryl?
Benadryl is a brand that’s used to treat allergies in humans. DIPHENHYDRAMINE is the active ingredient, and it’s used because drowsiness is a known side effect. Although it’s worth noting that some cats may experience hyperactivity as a side effect, which is the exact opposite of what you want if you’re traveling with your cats. Your cats medical history may also make human medicines unsuitable.
| Cat Calming Spray | Uses synthetic pheromones to help cats feel safe | Spray inside the carrier and on blankets and toys 15 minutes before traveling | Pros: Drug-free option. Easy to use. Suitable for most cats. It won’t make your cat drowsy. | Cons: It doesn’t work for every cat. It needs to be reapplied throughout your journey. It’s not a long-term solution. | Check Price on Amazon.com Check Price on Amazon.co.uk |
| Soft-Sided Cat Carrier | Comfortable and secure carrier for planes and vehicles | Easy to make it safe and comfortable. | Pros: Soft fleece bed for comfort Comes with a bowl Lightweight and easy to carry. Storage pockets | Cons: Soft-sided carriers aren’t as durable as hard-sided carriers. Larger cats may find the inside restrictive They’re harder to clean if your cat has an accident. | Check Price on Amazon.com Check Price on Amazon.co.uk |
| Hard-Sided Cat Carrier | Secure and durable cat carrier | Space enough inside for bedding and blankets to make the carrier comofrtable. | Pros: Hard-sided carriers are more durable and may be more suitable for very anxious or aggressive. Easy to clean Top-loading for easier access | Cons: Not suitable for in-cabin plane trips Heavier and more awkward to carry This carrier comes in three different sizes Good ventilation and secure latch. | Check Price on Amazon.com Check Price on Amazon.co.uk |
| Zylkene UK | Clinically-proven | Add it to food | Pros: Easy to administer Doesn’t make the cat drowsy | Cons: It takes time to kick in, so it isn’t suitable for last-minute. | Check Price on Amazon.co.uk |
| Bach’s Rescue Remedy | Uses natural flower extracts | Drop it into the mouth and into the food and water bowl. | Pros: Easy to use Generally tolerated by most cats Non-sedating | Cons: Lacks the clinical research of other products | Check Price on Amazon.com Check Price on Amazon.co.uk |
| Calming Cat Toy | Calming heartbeat toy for kittens and cats | Put it inside the carrier | Pros: Drug-free way to comfort nervous cats Provides extra comfort, especially in hard-sided carriers. Can be used in other scenarios too: moving house, adoption, illness or injury recovery. | Cons: Not going to help moderate or chronic anxiety Not every cat is interested in plush toys Heartbeat unit requires batteries Older cats may be less interested Heat packs will need replacing | Check Price on Amazon.com Check Price on Amazon.co.uk |
Medication can make travel less stressful for some cats, but it isn’t always necessary. Many cats do well with a combination of carrier training, pheromone sprays and calming supplements, while those with severe anxiety may benefit from prescription medication from their veterinarian. The best approach depends on your cat’s temperament, health and the type of journey you’re planning.
Hi
I have forgotten some of the things to help out my cats when I have sold my home just this year on Aug 26, 2021.
I had my.cqt carrier in the wood shed for years, which it was in the house for years.
Anyway when I was time for me to cat my cats into my car, I shouldn’t find her at all.
So I took my orders cat to my brother where I moved, then I went back for my youngest cat, her name is Heidi, she is 5 years old now, and she is very small for her age, and Siamese both of my cats are Siamese and she’s a very smart cat and very frigid e ever since I had her she was frigid e
When I went back I seen her, I had the cat carrier when but I did some very wrong things when.i got her that day, I forgot to put her blanket in there, her toys, even.treat , and she ever like going into the car and a cage when I first got her , she would meow all the way if I took her to the vets and meow all the way back, she she is smaller, and I even talked putting a collar around her , but she always went nuts.
Back to my story, we I played with her a little bit, to try to get her into the cat carrier, well it did not happen at all
Heidi lost it, I couldn’t get her into the cat carrier, so I tried to claim her down, but then I said to myself freak the the cat carrier I will just get her into the car and roll up the windows, and she was very scared , she was fighting me in every way, she went crazy, because my car keys fell out of my pockets, and that did it, so I was trying to put my windows up, and here she is on the floor on the drive side fighting me and and scratching me up what to get a night once again and try to calm her down lost it again and then she jumped right in the car window and then then she took off then I went back there around 11:30 she was there again she was trying to get in the house but she couldn’t understand that I sold the place and I couldn’t go in there because I’m going to go in into the house I would have been charged cuz it wasn’t my place anymore I was laying down in my shed and the old shed the new owners knew I was there trying to get her does laying in the shed she came in she was you know when come very close to me for me to grab her again I had some treats with her with me she came in for a second had a couple trees you could tell she was hungry the way she was eating them treats and then I’ll try to get her to lay down with me it didn’t work cuz you was knew I was up to something but didn’t know what or she did unless you went in the backyard and started yelling because she wanted me to put her in the house and I couldn’t open the house and then I try to get it back into the shed take me to get a relax and then something scared her is very fidgety cat and then she took off and I haven’t seen her the rest of the night and I fell asleep in the shed she can come back and then it was cold and I went and walked around for a little bit couldn’t find her went and slept in my car I did not want to leave my cat there at all then I start getting his talking to some rescue people I was going into three times a day looking for a yellow for her name, her name out then come I knew she was so I knew she was scared then after 6 days later after but getting some cat traps and the rescue people lending me so cat traps I finally got her after the six days.
I bring the old litter box there, I can tell you this, no one seen her, on the 5 days one of my old next door neighbor and called me and told me that he seen the cat, I was so happy when.i even heard that because that might that she was still.going there, it was do I knew she was going there and probably go and yelling for me to let her in and I couldn’t let her in because I wasn’t even there if you’re so funny I’m so glad that the coyotes never got her either for I knew she was down there.
On the 5 day after my neighbor told me that he seen her, I told him that I was on my way there to put another cat trap, my mom invited me for supper that day, but I had a feeling that I was going to get her that night or the next night so I went and set up the other cat trap, then I went to my mom’s place to have supper, which I was not eating much, or sleeping because this sll of what I was thinking about was getting my little peanut back,that is her nick name.
So after supper I went back to where we used to live, I checked the first trap nothing, then I checked the second trap and there she was, I was so happy, and then I thank the big guy above. I don’t take her out of that trap until we got back here, I wasn’t going to take that chance again of her getting away.
It took about 45 minutes and she was very pissed off, because she was is the cat trap, and the yelling and the meowing coming from.her, when I.finally got the trap door open, she was gone nuts which I don’t blame her my sister in law helped me to get the door open, then as soon as it was open they took off up stairs
Heidi was was still freaking out, I pick her up into my arms, hugging her and talking to her as soon I put her into my arm she stopped, and the 3 of us me and Heidi and my other cats name is smokey , we fell asleep in a circle holding each other.
My cats are just like my children , I
It’s alot better now but Heidi always hide from people , that is way she was named Heidi because she can hide.
But there is 5 people living in this place , I moved into the basement, because I couldn’t find a place to live at all
So I brother and his new wife told me that we can live here until, I find a place I have called over 1,500 places for a apt over the last 4 months.
I live in Halifax n.s , I almost lived into tent with some other people
But I came here and there is too much noise here for even.me, Heidi is coming around , but iam planning on going downtown my home town, and I am bringing my cats with me, my brother said what do u want to do traumatize your cats more my bring them with me and a car for 2 and 1/2 hours I’m not going to leaving my cats here
I just might go for a couple days until I decide if iam going to move down there first.
I want to buy I piece of land down there, and build some cabins and rent them out.
My cats are both microchip, I seen a tag GPS trackers for cats online a week ago, but there is a problem it for a collar, I can’t put a collar on Heidi at all she goes crazy.
So is there a GPS tracker that is a microchip
That is what I want to know