I am moving and have to drive 6 hours with my cat who hates car rides. I heard that benadryl is ok to give them, please let me know...
2006-09-04 13:27:46 · 25 answers · asked by Jules 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Hi Jules...when vets prescribe the use of Benadryl it is used to alleviate itchy allergy symptoms when treating. It doesn't necessarily make an animal drowsy as they can only take childrens Benadryl -- only the vet knows the safest dosage to be prescribed. Giving a pet any human medication is risky and could be fatal without medical supervision. Most vets prescribed other tranquizers that are safer.
If you would like to help your cat travel without much stress I have a training technique that is helpful if you have a little time to prepare before the actual road trip.
If you have a week to a few weeks before your trip the best solution is to begin a treat reward inside the travel crate before you place it into the car so begin feeding your cat now until you leave for your trip inside the crate fulltime. If kitty will not go into the crate begin by feeding it in front/around of the crate then gradually move the food dish it into the crate...eventually when kitty is okay with eating in the crate gently close the door, but open it immediately while kitty is eating to help him/her acclimate to this. After kitty appears to be okay with eating inside the crate (sometimes it will happen within a couple days) you can begin with the next step...
First take the kitty in the car (with crate and food dish) and sit quietly with kitty and the crate door opened and offer it delicious treats inside the crate, which rewards kitty for accepting the new environment. Do this several times throughout the day and when the kitty is showing signs of being more comfortable then you can move onto the next step. Just start the car (no driving) and offer rewarding treats again in the crate/bed still with door opened and also closed. After a few times then start the car and move it back and forth in that little area again offer treats in the crate with door opened and closed (by the way, chicken baby food is usually is an excellent treat just make sure this is Gerbers "2nd" NOT 3rd as the ingredients Onion and Garlic are toxic to kitty). Again, when kitty shows sign of comfort then try a drive around the block once then several times gradually with the crate door closed this time. Make sure kitty can see you when you travel as they find comfort with their owner's familiar face and can easily hear your voice as well. If you don't have anyone traveling with you then place crate on the front passenger seat so you can occasionally put your fingers through the holes to comfort kitty with your touch too.
Keep in mind this method is the healthiest so that you don't need to tranquilize the kitty, which should be reserved as a last resort if kitty still is very anxious in the final stages of the training. The method I described above is how zoo trainers teach their animals to be managed without sedation.
I hope you both will have a safe and happy long journey.
2006-09-04 16:56:03 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Benadryl Dosage For Cats Travel
2016-10-20 21:28:30 · answer #2 · answered by dupouy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no do not give your cat this it could overdose and kill it you must go to a vet and get the proper medicine i don,t know what it is called but it something that the mother had in her milk when it was a kitten and it relaxes them if you tell your vet about it he should be able to help but for goodness sake don,t give it any human medicine because we have a lot more body mass and cats have very little and you would not know the correct dosage who ever told you about benadryl wants their head examined just take a look at the paper you get with it and see the side effects it has on us i,m sure you don,t want to either kill your cat or make it suffer ill health good luck
2006-09-04 14:23:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No! Benadryl can kill your cat. PLEASE do NOT give this to your cat. There is tranquilizing medication you can get from your vet. Car rides can be quite traumatizing to a pet, But human medication, even in small doses can be deadly. If you cannot afford meds from the vet, place your cat in a carrier and drape the carrier with a thin sheet or towel. This will prevent him/her from seeing the constant movement from outside. Keep a constant conversation going with your cat because if he knows your there, he knows hes safe. Good Luck.
2006-09-04 14:28:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Please don't do this without running it by the vet office first. The office receptionist has probably answered this question many times and a simple call will let you know if it is safe.
At: www.littlebigcat.com Dr. Jean Hovfe has an article titled "Traveling with Cats". The articles are in alphabetical order. I am sure she will have some good suggestions for you cat and his pending trip.
2006-09-04 13:32:55 · answer #5 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Benadryl for a car ride? Isnt that for allergies? My vet told me to give my dog benadryl when she had a severe allergic reaction.
2006-09-04 13:34:17 · answer #6 · answered by waxingtheturtle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Benadryl COULD act as speed, and give you a very unpleasant ride. Never give human meds to pets without checking your vet.
2006-09-04 14:16:44 · answer #7 · answered by Thorbjorn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can give your cat 1/2 tablet every 4-6 hours. If you want, call your Vet's office and ask the technician.
2006-09-04 13:30:04 · answer #8 · answered by skyeblue 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In very small doses. About 1/4 of 1 capsule. You can also talk to your veterinarian who could probably give you something to administer to the cat to tranquilize him. Good Luck
2006-09-04 13:39:15 · answer #9 · answered by truth 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have cats of my own and personally I do not give them any medications without asking a vet. I think u should do the same.
2006-09-04 13:35:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anime Luver! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋