Is it safe to give 3 month old kittens benadryl for traveling?

Question

My sister is very sick and my family and I have to travel several hours to get there. We will be staying as long as needed. I have 3 month old kittens, and due to the fact that I dont know how long we will be gone, I have no choice but to take them with us. I put them in a cat carrier the other day and took them for a short drive but they freaked out. My vet prescribed benadryl for my dog once for car sickness, but I need to know if its safe for kittens, and if it is then how many milligrams do i give. Thanx

Answer 1

HI Nadia...when a vet prescribes Benadryl it is a not an adult Benadryl as this would be fatal for cats, but the Childrens Benadryl. The Children's Benadryl doesn't create any drowsiness as it is only used to relieve itchiness. A vet would be best to determine what may be safe to use, however because they are quite young many may be apprehensive to prescribe anything.

At 3 months young the kittens would be able to withstand the driving and will meow frantically for approximately 30-40 minutes after the start of the drive and then settle in quietly and sleep the rest of the trip. This is very common and the end result always sleeping most of the trip.

Please consider that someone here in Yahoo Answers may want to prank you with some fatally dangerous suggestion where a vet would be honest what is safe to use if there's any options to consider.

Here my training techniques we use to transport cats:

If you have a week to a few weeks before your trip the best solution is to begin a treat reward inside the travel crates before you place it into the car so begin feeding your cats now until you leave for your trip inside the crate fulltime. If kitties will not go into the crate begin by feeding them in front/around of the crate then gradually move the food dish it into the crate...eventually when they are okay with eating in the crate gently close the door, but open it immediately while the kitties are eating to help them acclimate to this. After they appear 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 them in the car (with crates and food dish) and sit quietly with them and the crate door opened and offer them delicious treats inside the crates, which rewards them for accepting the new environment. Do this several times throughout the day and when they are 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 crates 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 the kitties 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 they 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 crates on the front passenger seat and floor so you can occasionally put your fingers through the holes to comfort them with your touch too.

Keep in mind this method is the healthiest so that you don't need to tranquilize the kitties, which should be reserved as a last resort if the kitties still are 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 all will have a safe and happy long journey.

Answer 2

I would definitely call your vet first. But I would say with their age, that no you should not give them the medicine. They are young enough that they will adjust in the car. Keep taking them for short drives if you have time.

We find that with our cats, they like the air on and no music. Keeps them calmer. And if we let them out and hold them that helps too or at least touch them through the carrier to let them know that you are still there.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Sorry to hear about your sister. I hope she'll be okay, and am sending prayers your way for her, and for a safe trip for your family.

Please read Seattle's post very thoroughly. Then, when you are done.....read it again. :-)

Only thing to add: One of the best cat 'pacifiers' available is plain ole catnip. The only problem is that not all cats are capable of responding to it. They have to have the 'catnip gene'....but if they do, they'll often be affected similarly to the way marijuana affects humans. Different cats respond to differing degrees, but it often makes them no longer care that they're in a car, LOL. They can even look trance-like, but it's incredibly safe for them....and they enjoy it. ;-)

Try getting them a couple of catnip toys....nothing too fancy with pieces they can chew off and swallow, though.

If that doesn't work, and you don't have time to try all of Seattle's very excellent suggestions....ask your DVM for a mild tranquilizer to be used ONLY if you just have to. In my experience, Benadryl doesn't work very well in cats...it might help just a tad, or it might make them worse. Dramamine can be used, and causes mild drowsiness....but I'm not about to give you a dose without knowing your kittens' health history and current physical status, which I can't do without an in-person examination. If they've been in for their routine kitten visits, your own veterinarian can make recommendations based on that without you having to take them in again.

Good luck! And please take care to have a safe trip. Try the catnip....seriously. It saved my sanity during many trips with my Siamese (read...very, um...'opinionated'...lol) kitties.

Answer 4

Benedryl does not effect cats like it does people, and it can actually make them MORE hyper and anxious!!!!! Talk to your vet and see if Acepromazine tablets would be a good choice for them. Nothing will put them totally out, but it may be easier for travel.

Answer 5

nadia sorry about your sister hopes she gets well..please dont give anything to your kittens till u ask your vet some human medicine can kill at cat were it will only make a dog sick...best to ask your vet ..good luck ...safe travels

Answer 6

Nothing should be given to any animal when they travel. Cats will go into a dormat stage when they are put into cages and taken long distances. Even with dogs travelling overseas, you are NOT to drug them in any way. Don't worry they will do fine with your travels. Animals have a way with adapting.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

My 2 cents, We trained my 5yo orphan pup Welder to stop being aggressive towards other dogs in just 3 days. Easy as pie. I just had to use the Dog discipline magic system look it up on google.

Answer 9

get melatonin its a natural sleep aid u can find it at walgreens or any health food store its cheep and it puts u to sleep they come in little white tablets just cut it into fours and give it a little piece of the corner.... i read about it on the internet and if a human takes to much u just get a stomach ache or throw up so its not to harsh my friend has a crazy puppy that tries to rip ur clothes off everytime u walk in the house and she jus wantd to relax for a day so she gav him some and he was fine and calm and sleepy it jus has to be a real small amount so kitty doesnt get sick... good luck

Answer 10

If your vet prescribed benadryl for your dog, call him and ask if it is save for cats and dosage amounts.