Can you drug a cat for travel?

Cat sedatives work by coaxing your kitty into a state of sleep to keep her calm for long periods of travel—a useful tool for moderate to severe cases of fear of travel. Unlike anti-anxiety medications, sedatives don't target the negative, fear-inducing emotions your kitty experiences.



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Sedatives can interfere with regular breathing and other bodily responses, and pets may react differently and unexpectedly to medications when they are in the air. In fact, most airlines will not fly a sedated pet, as over-sedation can be a cause of animal death during air transport.

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However with proper care and supervision there are virtually no risks of complications due to the use of a cat sedative. Our veterinary staff ensures that risks are minimized by performing careful and consistent monitoring throughout the entire time feline patients are under cat anesthesia.

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Spray Feliway, a calming pheromone, in your car and/or the carrier 10- 15 minutes prior to your cat entering. Be calm and remember for cats that shhh! sounds a lot like hissing, so try to avoid shushing if they are vocalizing. Cool or warm the car to comfortable temperature before putting your cat inside.

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As long as your kitty stays in the kennel, there's nothing you can do if your cat starts meowing. Call the airline about their pet policy so you won't get a big surprise. You vet can also prescribe a mild sedative to help your cat relax a bit.

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Adult dogs and cats easily make it through the night without having to relieve themselves, so your pet should also be OK on most very long flights. Regardless, you'll have to line their carrier with something absorbent - a Dry Fur pad works nicely under your pet's own crate pad or thin blanket.

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Confine your pet Use a pet restraint, preferably a hard-shelled crate, to keep your cat contained in the car. If you're flying to your new home, follow your airline's recommendations for the proper crate or carrier. Make sure the carrier is secured and level in a seat with a vent pointing toward it for ventilation.

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Although some cats may be well suited to travel and there are times when you may not have much choice, changes in a cat's routine or surroundings are usually stressful. The majority of cats are creatures of habit and prefer to stay in a familiar environment. Start by asking if your cat will enjoy the experience.

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These short-headed brachycephalic cat breeds are more prone to respiratory problems in general; adding the stress and anxiety of air travel can make breathing even more difficult. Additionally, pressure changes at altitude can hurt cats' ears, similar to how your own ear might pop, says Dr. Smith.

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“Because dander is so small and sticky, it attaches itself to clothes, furniture, air and airplane seats. The confined space of a plane could definitely pose a hazard for patients with cat allergy,” Jacobson says, adding that wiping down your seat is a good idea.

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Can cats survive long flights? Adult dogs and cats easily make it through the night without having to relieve themselves, so your pet should also be OK on most very long flights.

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What Are the Best—And Safest—Sleeping Pills for Flights?
  • Ambien. Ambien—the most powerful option on this list and the only one that requires a prescription—works as a sedative-hypnotic medication that slows your brain activity to make you feel very sleepy. ...
  • Tylenol PM. ...
  • Melatonin.


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You won't always know if your cat even needs to go as some cats will stay silent while others might meow to alert you that they're feeling discomfort. Most cats will be able to hold it in for shorter flights that are around 1-4 hours while some cats may even hold it for longer flights that extend to 8-10 hours.

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