2006-07-28 05:11:46 · 10 answers · asked by frunk3 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Just like humans, cats need to see the horizon to keep from getting carsick or seasick. The best way to do this is get a cat kennel and perch it high enough so they can see the horizon.
The reason for this is the vestibular ocular-motor reflex (VOR) mechanisms in the cat's ear canal. There are special hairs in this system that sense motion and gravity. These hairs are neuro-connected to the visual cortex, the image processing system of the brain. If the visual stimuli match up with the motion stimuli, all is well and noone gets sick.
There is a second function to this mechanism when toxins are in the body. Toxins create the illusion of motion, such as when you are drunk and your head feels like it is spinning. This mismatch in perceived vision and actual motion involuntarily signal the body that it must eliminate toxins, hence you puke up the alcohol.
Hence, when the motion that the VOR hairs sense does not match up with what the cat actually sees, i.e., that back of a carseat while traveling, the animal will get restless and sick. The animal does not know to look at the horizon while traveling, so you have to make it his default visual direction by positioning the kennel appropriately. This is the intelligent and humane thing to do.
Do not let your pet travel around unrestrained in the car. Eventually they will get under the brake pedal, onto the accelerator, or onto the steering wheel.
2006-07-28 07:05:23 · answer #1 · answered by x 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats hate the car. They will start meowing furiously and start exploring the whole car. They will go on top of the dashboard so you won't see. Put it in a kitty carrier or a big cardboard box with holes so it can breath. Try not to drive for long-distances because your cat will probably get sick.
But I do know a cat that likes going in cars.
2006-07-28 06:20:23 · answer #2 · answered by Bloop 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cats hate car rides get a bag or a small box so they cant see out thats the easiest way 4 a cat to travel with out scraceing u
2006-07-28 05:19:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This goes for any animal that gets car sick....do not feed it for 12-24 hrs before you leave...take up water 8-12 hrs before you leave...nothing in stomach, nothing to come up....put cat in a crate with an absorbant towel....place where AC will be blowing directly into crate...helps with people too(AC not the crate lol). Call your vet, I think there is a pill that you can give him/her to help settle stomach.
Good Luck!
2006-07-28 05:16:57 · answer #4 · answered by Suzie Q 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Benadryl is a safe and effective remedy for motion sickness in animals and people. I would break a tablet in half for a cat.
2006-07-28 05:15:56 · answer #5 · answered by sweetestthing 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your vet about a mild setative. It might make your trip ten times better, and stress cannot be good for the cat.
2006-07-28 05:14:28 · answer #6 · answered by mlm1975 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
talk to your vet maybe a mild tranqulizer might be in order or they could give you some other ideas. my cats love to ride in the car as long as the windows aren't down. they meow constantly. but my a/c is broke so it's better to listen to them meow than to bake us all.
2006-07-28 05:16:07 · answer #7 · answered by macleod709 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm sure your vet can get you a mild sedative or even dramamine.
our cat....we just put him in a pillowcase anytime we went anywhere with him. that way he didn't see his surroundings, so he wasn't scared and we could still pet him and so forth. he thought it was a game.
2006-07-28 05:18:16 · answer #8 · answered by joey322 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
MY tip is: Don't hold your cat in your lap while the vehicle is in motion... you WILL get puked on!
2006-07-28 05:15:36 · answer #9 · answered by Smitty 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
give it a barf bag
2006-07-28 05:18:18 · answer #10 · answered by catloverme123 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋