How to Travel with a Cat
Acclimate your cat to traveling., Get prescription medication for motion sickness, if necessary., Give your cat the Bach Flower Essence "Rescue Remedy" to help it with the fear and stress of traveling or a fear of new places., Get prescription...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Acclimate your cat to traveling.
If your cat hasn’t travelled by car recently, several weeks prior to your trip, take it on several short car rides (30 minutes or less).
Be sure to put the cat in the travel cage you will use on your trip to get the cat used to the noise and motion of the car and the smell of the cage.
Give your cat treats while it is in the car.
This will give it better feelings about being there.
Look upon these as trial runs to work out any kinks before you have to take a long trip far from home. -
Step 2: Get prescription medication for motion sickness
If your cat is prone to motion sickness, which your trial runs should determine, ask your vet to prescribe medication.
Anti-nausea medication such as chlorpromazine can be used to help control motion sickness.The signs of a cat with motion sickness (while in the car of course) include: crying or vocalizing that doesn’t quit after a few minutes into the car ride, excessive drooling, immobility, or acting afraid to move, or excess activity or pacing, vomiting, or urinating or defecating.Ginger has also been used to treat nausea in humans and it is safe to use in cats; this can be found in liquid form or chews from on-line or brick and mortar pet stores or in the occasional veterinary clinic. , Give a few drops in his water each day and a drop in the mouth before setting off each day if he is visibly distressed.
You can test its effectiveness by giving an oral dose and then taking a short car ride 30 minutes later.
This should be your preferred treatment, as sedatives only slow a cat whereas the flower essence will help them remain calm and confident. , Try training with trial drives and non-medicated options first before resorting to medications.
Your veterinarian can help you sort out which one will work best for your cat.
Some options include over the counter antihistamines (Benadryl) and prescription medication, such as alprazolam (Xanax) to relieve anxiety.Discuss dosages with your veterinarian and follow their advice carefully for the best result. , Observe the cat's behavior, and if there are any negative results, you still have time to call your vet and adjust dosages or try a different medicine.
Just like people, different drugs have different effects on cats.
Chances are, if your pet reacts with irritability or something else adverse, your vet will know an alternate treatment to try.
Most sedatives won't knock the cat out cold and should only take the edge off.
If the drug is too sedating or not sedating enough, you should let your vet know before you leave.
The cat should remain alert to its surroundings, even when on the sedative.
While on the medication trial, put the cat in the carrier and take it for a drive.
This way, you'll know what behaviors to expect while you're traveling with a medicated cat.
Make sure your vet gives you enough medication for the duration of your travel (to and from) and ask for an extra pill or two to try at home before you embark. , The goal is to get your cat's smells, and the smells of home, onto the towel.
In addition, the cat will already be comfortable with the towel and find comfort from it. , Put the towel your cat has been sleeping on at the bottom of the cage, and put an additional towel under the cage if the cage floor needs extra padding.
Add a favorite toy to keep your cat company as well. , This mimics the pheromones that cats leave when they're comfortable and relaxed in their territory.
It should soothe your cat on the ride.Be sure to test your cat's reaction to Feliway before spraying it in the carrier.
A small minority of cats interpret the spray as another cat's markings and may have a negative or even aggressive reaction to it. , If there is room in the cage you can put a small litter box, but this is not vitally necessary.
The same is true of food and water.
Never make your cat stay in its carrier for longer than eight hours without providing it with food, water and a chance to use the litter box. , You want the cat to voluntarily get comfortable going into it.
Do not force your cat into the cage if it doesn’t go in at this stage. , You may want to place a towel or blanket over the carrier when carrying it to the car to block its view of the “scary” outside.Remove it when you place the carrier in the car.
The carrier should be placed in a secure spot in the car, preferably strapped in place with a seat belt.
If the seat belt won’t work, you can use bungee cords or small lengths of rope to secure the carrier in the car in case of sudden stops or an accident., Car rides are stressful for cats regardless if they like them or not.
Having a harness and a leash on the cat whenever it is out of the carrier (even in the car) gives you something to grab in case the cat decides to bolt from an open window or door. , Your cat won't want to go all day in its carrier.
This is where the harness and leash come in.
Snap the leash on and allow your cat to come out into the car for twenty or so minutes.
Offering a chance in the litterbox isn't a bad idea, either, but don't be surprised if your cat turns its nose up at the idea. , If you go out, put your cat in its carrier and the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on your door, in case the maid should come by.
If you're going to be out for the day, put the cat in the bathroom with its things and shut the door (if possible).
Then leave a note on the door stating your cat is currently in there and to please be careful not to let it out. -
Step 3: if necessary.
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Step 4: Give your cat the Bach Flower Essence "Rescue Remedy" to help it with the fear and stress of traveling or a fear of new places.
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Step 5: Get prescription tranquilizers as a last resort.
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Step 6: Try any sedatives at home a few days before your trip.
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Step 7: Get a towel or blanket and put it in your cat's bed
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Step 8: or wherever it likes to sleep
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Step 9: a few days before the trip.
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Step 10: Prepare the cage on the morning of the trip
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Step 11: or the night before.
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Step 12: Spray the inside of the carrier and car with Feliway 20 minutes before you're ready to go.
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Step 13: Have your cat eat a few hours before traveling and allow it unrestricted access to its litter box.
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Step 14: Leave the door of the cage open to allow your cat a chance to explore the cage.
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Step 15: Place the cat in the carrier
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Step 16: then carry it to the car.
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Step 17: Place your cat in the carrier with the harness on.
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Step 18: Allow your cat to stretch its legs.
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Step 19: Spray wherever you're staying with Feliway (or use the Feliway diffuser) before putting your cat in the room.
Detailed Guide
If your cat hasn’t travelled by car recently, several weeks prior to your trip, take it on several short car rides (30 minutes or less).
Be sure to put the cat in the travel cage you will use on your trip to get the cat used to the noise and motion of the car and the smell of the cage.
Give your cat treats while it is in the car.
This will give it better feelings about being there.
Look upon these as trial runs to work out any kinks before you have to take a long trip far from home.
If your cat is prone to motion sickness, which your trial runs should determine, ask your vet to prescribe medication.
Anti-nausea medication such as chlorpromazine can be used to help control motion sickness.The signs of a cat with motion sickness (while in the car of course) include: crying or vocalizing that doesn’t quit after a few minutes into the car ride, excessive drooling, immobility, or acting afraid to move, or excess activity or pacing, vomiting, or urinating or defecating.Ginger has also been used to treat nausea in humans and it is safe to use in cats; this can be found in liquid form or chews from on-line or brick and mortar pet stores or in the occasional veterinary clinic. , Give a few drops in his water each day and a drop in the mouth before setting off each day if he is visibly distressed.
You can test its effectiveness by giving an oral dose and then taking a short car ride 30 minutes later.
This should be your preferred treatment, as sedatives only slow a cat whereas the flower essence will help them remain calm and confident. , Try training with trial drives and non-medicated options first before resorting to medications.
Your veterinarian can help you sort out which one will work best for your cat.
Some options include over the counter antihistamines (Benadryl) and prescription medication, such as alprazolam (Xanax) to relieve anxiety.Discuss dosages with your veterinarian and follow their advice carefully for the best result. , Observe the cat's behavior, and if there are any negative results, you still have time to call your vet and adjust dosages or try a different medicine.
Just like people, different drugs have different effects on cats.
Chances are, if your pet reacts with irritability or something else adverse, your vet will know an alternate treatment to try.
Most sedatives won't knock the cat out cold and should only take the edge off.
If the drug is too sedating or not sedating enough, you should let your vet know before you leave.
The cat should remain alert to its surroundings, even when on the sedative.
While on the medication trial, put the cat in the carrier and take it for a drive.
This way, you'll know what behaviors to expect while you're traveling with a medicated cat.
Make sure your vet gives you enough medication for the duration of your travel (to and from) and ask for an extra pill or two to try at home before you embark. , The goal is to get your cat's smells, and the smells of home, onto the towel.
In addition, the cat will already be comfortable with the towel and find comfort from it. , Put the towel your cat has been sleeping on at the bottom of the cage, and put an additional towel under the cage if the cage floor needs extra padding.
Add a favorite toy to keep your cat company as well. , This mimics the pheromones that cats leave when they're comfortable and relaxed in their territory.
It should soothe your cat on the ride.Be sure to test your cat's reaction to Feliway before spraying it in the carrier.
A small minority of cats interpret the spray as another cat's markings and may have a negative or even aggressive reaction to it. , If there is room in the cage you can put a small litter box, but this is not vitally necessary.
The same is true of food and water.
Never make your cat stay in its carrier for longer than eight hours without providing it with food, water and a chance to use the litter box. , You want the cat to voluntarily get comfortable going into it.
Do not force your cat into the cage if it doesn’t go in at this stage. , You may want to place a towel or blanket over the carrier when carrying it to the car to block its view of the “scary” outside.Remove it when you place the carrier in the car.
The carrier should be placed in a secure spot in the car, preferably strapped in place with a seat belt.
If the seat belt won’t work, you can use bungee cords or small lengths of rope to secure the carrier in the car in case of sudden stops or an accident., Car rides are stressful for cats regardless if they like them or not.
Having a harness and a leash on the cat whenever it is out of the carrier (even in the car) gives you something to grab in case the cat decides to bolt from an open window or door. , Your cat won't want to go all day in its carrier.
This is where the harness and leash come in.
Snap the leash on and allow your cat to come out into the car for twenty or so minutes.
Offering a chance in the litterbox isn't a bad idea, either, but don't be surprised if your cat turns its nose up at the idea. , If you go out, put your cat in its carrier and the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on your door, in case the maid should come by.
If you're going to be out for the day, put the cat in the bathroom with its things and shut the door (if possible).
Then leave a note on the door stating your cat is currently in there and to please be careful not to let it out.
About the Author
Paul Burns
Experienced content creator specializing in organization guides and tutorials.
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