Difference between revisions of "Travel with a Cat"
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Most people do not relish the thought of bringing their cats with them on a vacation or on a road trip. There are a few fearless felines that are not finicky about traveling, but for many cats, traveling and leaving their familiar surroundings can be sheer terror. However, it is possible to travel with a cat without a huge amount of problems. The key is to the prepare ahead of time by acclimating your cat to travel gradually and preparing supplies well before the departure date. | Most people do not relish the thought of bringing their cats with them on a vacation or on a road trip. There are a few fearless felines that are not finicky about traveling, but for many cats, traveling and leaving their familiar surroundings can be sheer terror. However, it is possible to travel with a cat without a huge amount of problems. The key is to the prepare ahead of time by acclimating your cat to travel gradually and preparing supplies well before the departure date. | ||
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
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#*Give your cat treats while it is in the car. This will give it better feelings about being there. | #*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. | #*Look upon these as trial runs to work out any kinks before you have to take a long trip far from home. | ||
| − | #Get prescription medication for motion sickness, if necessary. 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.<ref> http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/digestive/c_ct_motion_sickness?page=2</ref> | + | #Get prescription medication for motion sickness, if necessary. 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.<ref name="rf1"> http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/digestive/c_ct_motion_sickness?page=2</ref> |
| − | #*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.<ref>http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/nervous_system/motion_sickness/overview_of_motion_sickness.html</ref> | + | #*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.<ref name="rf2">http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/nervous_system/motion_sickness/overview_of_motion_sickness.html</ref> |
#* 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. | #* 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 your cat the Bach Flower Essence "Rescue Remedy" to help it with the fear and stress of traveling or a fear of new places. 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. | #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. 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. | ||
| − | #Get prescription tranquilizers as a last resort. 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.<ref>http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/motion-sickness-in-cats/6528</ref> | + | #Get prescription tranquilizers as a last resort. 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.<ref name="rf3">http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/motion-sickness-in-cats/6528</ref> |
#*Discuss dosages with your veterinarian and follow their advice carefully for the best result. | #*Discuss dosages with your veterinarian and follow their advice carefully for the best result. | ||
#Try any sedatives at home a few days before your trip. 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. | #Try any sedatives at home a few days before your trip. 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. | ||
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#Get a towel or blanket and put it in your cat's bed, or wherever it likes to sleep, a few days before the trip. 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. | #Get a towel or blanket and put it in your cat's bed, or wherever it likes to sleep, a few days before the trip. 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. | ||
#Prepare the cage on the morning of the trip, or the night before. 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. | #Prepare the cage on the morning of the trip, or the night before. 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. | ||
| − | #Spray the inside of the carrier and car with Feliway 20 minutes before you're ready to go. This mimics the pheromones that cats leave when they're comfortable and relaxed in their territory. It should soothe your cat on the ride.<ref>http://www.feliway.com/uk/What-causes-cat-stress-or-anxiety/Traveling-with-a-cat-in-a-cat-carrier</ref> | + | #Spray the inside of the carrier and car with Feliway 20 minutes before you're ready to go. This mimics the pheromones that cats leave when they're comfortable and relaxed in their territory. It should soothe your cat on the ride.<ref name="rf4">http://www.feliway.com/uk/What-causes-cat-stress-or-anxiety/Traveling-with-a-cat-in-a-cat-carrier</ref> |
#*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. | #*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. | ||
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#*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. | #*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. | ||
#Leave the door of the cage open to allow your cat a chance to explore the cage. 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. | #Leave the door of the cage open to allow your cat a chance to explore the cage. 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. | ||
| − | #Place the cat in the carrier, then carry it to the car. 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.<ref>http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/safe-travels-feline-patients</ref> Remove it when you place the carrier in the car. | + | #Place the cat in the carrier, then carry it to the car. 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.<ref name="rf5">http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/safe-travels-feline-patients</ref> 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.<ref | + | #*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.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#Place your cat in the carrier with the harness on. 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. | #Place your cat in the carrier with the harness on. 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. | ||
#Allow your cat to stretch its legs. 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. | #Allow your cat to stretch its legs. 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. | ||
