I have a cat box and she will be in there. I will be driving alone - so wont be able to pet her and console her on the journey. My vet has suggested tranquilisers? but i am not sure about them. Any ideas to keep her calm?
thanks
2006-06-14 09:09:36 · 22 answers · asked by A x 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
definitely tranquilize the animal...otherwise your cat will probably freak out...it is the humane thing to do...and don't blast the music either....
2006-06-14 09:13:35 · answer #1 · answered by Mac 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Has she been on a car ride before? If not then start taking her on small trips in your area and see how she reacts? If she goes psycho then mild tranquilisers might be a good idea. If she just makes some whining noises or is quiet, then that is normal!
It is a good idea to position her on the front seat so she can see you and talking to her will help. And you have the added bonus of being able to put the seat belt around the box for extra safety. Also going on small rides will let her know that it will all be ok in the end. Some cats love riding in the car!!!
2006-06-14 16:16:51 · answer #2 · answered by Animal Lover 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't drug the cat. Have you taken her for any trips in the car other than to the vet? A couple of "test" drives just to get her used to the car. My parents drive their cats to their cabin every weekend - about 2 hours each way - and they are just fine in the car. They even recently drove with the cross-country for a vacation and they were fine. I know a couple of people who take their cats to Florida in the car every winter.
As far as a carrier goes -- you might want to let her roam the car while you're driving (as long as she won't lay under your feet like mine used to!), but have a carrier ready to put her into before you open the car door. The last thing you want is to have her run away in a strange place!
Unless the cat is really high-strung normally I'd say skip the drugs. Just make sure she have sandbox and food and water available... but it's only going to be 5-6 hours so it shouldn't be much of a problem.
2006-06-14 20:34:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat is a "truck cat". He has ridden in a Semi since he was 10 weeks old. But car trips are different. In the car he freaks. Take your cat on a trip of about an hour, if by then she has settled down for the ride you probably won't need the trancs but if she is still upset after that short a time, for both your sakes, give her the meds. Also in a car it is much better for her to be in a carrier. Scared cats hide, and not always in safe places or easy-to-get-out-of places. Not having to drag her out of her "haven" will put less stress on you both. A cat carrier with plenty of ventilation and a toy or two to cuddle with are just the ticket.
2006-06-14 18:06:39 · answer #4 · answered by songbird092962 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having been through this experience myself, with a cat who does not travel well, I would listen to your vet, and sedate her. Get your vet to do this, and make sure it's one of the last things that you do before you leave your current house. The sedation takes a while to take effect, and, dependent on the dose, will last for up to twenty-four hours. Also, ensure that you cover your cat box with a blanket to cut out the light. I don't know why that works with cats who don't travel, but it works a treat - they simply curl up, and go to sleep. Keep her in her cat box whilst travelling. Anything else is not safe, and could cause an accident.
Also, when you get to your new house, make sure that there is a room that you can put your cat in to recover from the sedation and the travel. It has to be quiet, and have their litter tray, plenty of water and a bite of food. Make sure that there is no unnecessary entry of this room whilst your kitty adjusts herself to her new surroundings. It's going to be traumatic enough as you move in - she'll want some peace and quiet, and lots of loves when you get the chance.
Good luck in your move!
2006-06-15 03:08:01 · answer #5 · answered by bouncingtigger13 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Batmantis1999 above said exactly what I would have. I would vote her as best answer, and along with the tranqs the vet give, then take the other suggestions on keeping her calm.
260 miles is a long way for a cat
As for the catnip? NO! Shame the person for even suggesting that.
2006-06-14 16:19:28 · answer #6 · answered by pj 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I take my cat with me to scotland and thats 430 miles. My cat has her basket in the car but normaly ends up sleeping where she likes. She might feel a little upsettled for an hour or so but if you ignor her after half an hour she will settled down. Why not take her in the cat for a short journey to get her used to the car and the noise it makes. Good luck.
2006-06-20 08:12:06 · answer #7 · answered by Pinkflower 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep the cat calm and talk to her a lot and if she starts going wack, just slowly pull the car over and hold her for a minute or give her a special treat. Maybe put a sock in her box filled with catnip to keep her amused. Good luck on your cat and your move!
2006-06-14 23:47:46 · answer #8 · answered by summer luvver :D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your cat is like mine and like most cats the best thing is to give them a tranquilizer. Your vet will have to decide the dosage for your particular cat and for the distance traveled and the cat's character. When my cat had to travel from Louisiana to Florida my mother was consoling and talking to my baby (cat) and he only needed one tranquilizer pill out of the 8 my vet sent me for the approx. 900 mile trip he traveled. I wasn't even in the car with them I had to go before they did. Yes, catnip, catnip, catnip, catnip for when he/she awakes and it won't be long before you get to where you're destined to be. It will all be ok. Make sure that you can seat belt the carrier because should the unforseen happen like an accident , your cat in the carrier can become a dangerous projectile. Did anyone see on the news how they are making safetybelts for dogs now? It's against the law in many or all states for cats to not travel in carriers. Shame to the person who suggested for you to travel with your cat all alone with nothing to contain the animal in. That's not safe for the cat which narrows it down to abuse and/or neglect.
2006-06-14 16:22:17 · answer #9 · answered by purity_884 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would be guided by your vet on this one. I have previously travelled a long distance in a car with cats in carriers and they got extremely anxious - distracting my driving. So although sedation is not a first choice for any pet owner it should give you and your cat peace of mind.
You will need to consider toilet breaks for your cat. If you are in the UK, service stations usually have grassy areas (if using a cat harness).
2006-06-14 16:16:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take your vet's advice, also, do not allow the cat to see out the window. they get car sick very easily because thier eyes try to focus on objects much differently than dogs (or humans). Go for a " dry run" of about 10 miles, and see how she does (without tranqs). Try to drive straight through to destination. All cats seem to differently to car travel. good luck!
2006-06-14 16:20:34 · answer #11 · answered by Wayne C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋