What do you give a cat before flying?

Buprenorphine (brand names Buprenex®, Simbadol® ), gabapentin (brand name Neurontin®), and alprazolam (brand names: Xanax®, Niravam®) are examples of medications that are sometimes prescribed by veterinarians to reduce the anxiety that some cats experience when traveling.



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Sedation carries various risks and is not recommended for pets during air travel. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), sedating cats or dogs during air travel may increase the risk of heart and respiratory problems.

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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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The mild sedative used in Benadryl is sometimes recommended by veterinarians for anxiety. An example would be traveling by car or airplane. Some cats get quite anxious or upset when traveling and giving Benadryl can be an excellent sedative for traveling.

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Benadryl dosage for cats You should always consult your vet before beginning any medication regimen. However, recommended doses of Benadryl for cats are typically 1 mg per 1 pound, to be given every 8-12 hours as needed.

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For example, it's best not to feed your cat just before you set off in case they develop travel sickness. However, do reward your cat with a few treats to help distract them if they're scared or nervous. If your cat enjoys catnip or catnip blends, feel free to give catnip or other treats to ease the stress.

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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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A pheromone calming collar can help reduce anxiety. Medication prescribed by your veterinarian: Buprenorphine (brand names: Buprenex®, Simbadol®), gabapentin (brand name Neurontin®), and alprazolam (brand names Xanax® and Niravam®) are sometimes used to reduce travel anxiety.

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Yet, while it's possible for your kitty to travel with you around the world, you should first consider whether air travel is really the best thing for your cat. All travel, but air travel in particular, is stressful for cats.

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As much as you might like to have your kitty join you on vacation, cats are creatures of habit and probably won't care much for the change in routine and scenery a vacation offers. Some cats become very nervous in unfamiliar situations, like cars. They might start meowing loudly or even get sick.

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