You are here:
- Home
- Animals/Pets
- Dogs
- Travel with Pets
- cat travel
Travel with Pets/cat travel
Advertisement
Question
Good Morning, I will be moving next year and it is approx. nine hours away. My one cat who is approx. 3 years old appears to be terrified of cars. I was thinking of letting him sleep the whole ride. Of going to the vet and letting them give him a sleeping pill or shot so that the ride would not be so impossible for him. What do you think? Thank you. Kim
Hi Kim,
Thanks for your question! There are a lot of questions and concerns surrounding sedation and tranquilizers when pets are traveling -- I'm glad you are taking the time to consider your options.
For any pet that is flying, it is never a good idea to use tranquilizers or sedatives. This is mainly because the effects of sedation at high altitudes are unknown in regards to how the effect pets. The same way you might get more tipsy having a cocktail on a plane than you would normally, a pet that has a sedative can sometimes be adversely affected.
Your question, however, is regarding whether you should sedate your cat while driving. Please consider the options of why you want to administer the drug to the cat. Is it to make your cat's way of traveling better or yours? A lot of times we try to help our pets but really do them a disservice. If it is just the meowing and crying that is hard to listen to in a car, you should think twice before giving your cat any pills. After the first hour or so, he is likely to settle down and go to sleep (he won't be able to be crying for 9 straight hours!). However, if your cat seems seriously distressed and frightened, then it may help to look into a sedative. One of your options would be a natural sedative that would calm him a bit. I encourage you to discuss this with your vet -- for ultimately it is your vet's decision to whether he should prescribe a sedative or not.
If you do end up sedating your cat for travel, make sure you keep an eye on him throughout the trip. There is a chance he could throw up due to having an upset stomach and, because of his drowsy state, accidentally choke.
Whatever the case, the most important thing you can do to help any pet travel more calmly is to accustom them to their travel crate. Don't just pull out the crate on the day of departure and put your cat in -- help him get used to it ahead of time by feeding him in the crate or putting his favorite toys and treats in. We had a client who said their cat absolutely hated crates and wouldn't go near them. It turns out, she'd only gotten the crate out to go to the vet! Of course the cat would have some sort of anxiety surrounding getting in his crate. Once she started leaving the crate out in the house all of the time, the cat eventually didn't run away from it. She said by the time her cat arrived at her new home, after a long flight and a day's worth of traveling, he would go in the crate regularly to sleep. Pets like having enclosed dens to sleep in -- they just need to feel comfortable in them and not associate their crate with only taking them to strange places.
I wish you the best of luck! Thanks for stopping by.
Happy travels & wagging tails!
Rachel Farris
rachel@petrelocation.com
www.PetRelocation.com
- Add to this Answer
- Ask a Question
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you. Your answer gave me more thought toward different avenues to try which I didn't realize was possible. I will buy him a different, more stable crate and let him get used to it in the house and then move it to the car and then start with small trips around the block. Rather than a trip to the vet for a sleeping pill. Thanks again. Kim | ||
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Rachel Farris
Expertise
PetRelocation.com is one of the most experienced, respected & technologically advanced pet relocation companies in the world. We have a huge resource of country import & export requirements on our website, www.PetRelocation.com, and also keep a daily blog on all of the latest pet travel and relocation news at www.PetRelocationBlog.com. Rachel Farris, one of the specialists on the PetRelocation team, is here to answer any questions you might have about international and domestic relocation for your pets. These can include, but are not limited to: Questions about country import/export requirements Questions about airlines and airline regulations Questions about crate training for travel, veterinary work, etc. And whatever else you might want to know about international pet travel & relocation! As we cannot give out quotes through AllExperts, those with pricing inquiries are encouraged to visit www.PetRelocation.com and fill out our quote request form.
Experience
PetRelocation.com's experience and in-depth understanding of the pet relocation market is unparalleled. Our relocation specialists have successfully completed thousands of moves to the most remote places on the globe. Consultation and quotes for your pets' relocation are offered for free as yet another example of our unmatched customer service.
PetRelocation.com is not an airline or air carrier, but works with transportation agents throughout the country and around the world to create customized travel arrangements for your pets.
With our commitment in creating the most powerful, functional Pet Relocation Service - we feel that our company succeeds in giving our customers a premier source for all their Pet Relocation needs.
Organizations
Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association
An International Trade Association of animal handlers, pet moving providers, kennel operators, veterinarians and others who are dedicated to the care and welfare of pets and small animals during transport locally, nationwide and worldwide.
Animal Transportation Association
A non-profit association dedicated to the safe and humane transportation of animals - worldwide
The Employee Relocation Council (ERC)'s mission is to provide leadership, advocacy, education and networking to global workforce mobility professionals and stakeholders through specialized training, credentialing, meeting events and information.
We are registered as an Intermediate Handler with the United States Department of Agriculture
Publications
We handle thousands of relocations a year for some of the top companies in the world. HRM, a premiere magazine for relocation professionals, recently featured an article written by Rachel Farris in its April issue called Any Pet, Anywhere, Any Time.
We also encourage you to watch our quick video on how our company works:
Education/Credentials
With over 40 years of experience in live animal transportation, who better to ensure that your pet's travel plans are done right.
Past/Present Clients
Testimonials gladly provided upon request.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.