Travel is not for every cat, in fact, many cats dislike it. It’s possible, however, that your cat may have to deal with her fear at one time or another and buckle up for a trip in the car or on another means of transportation, especially if you’re moving.
This fear does not have to be faced alone, as she has support. The cat might benefit from a cat sedative if she shows signs of anxiety after adequate training.
Are sedatives safe for cats? We’ll discuss this in this article. Alternative solutions to cats’ travel anxiety and the dangers of using them. In addition, we will discuss some travel tips for a less stressful trip.
Here are some other helpful articles about the same subject!
Cats with travel anxiety
Anxiety is that feeling of apprehension, nervousness, or unease we all feel from time to time. It is entirely normal for a cat or owner to experience anxiety from time to time. However, when it is severe or frequent enough to adversely affect the cat’s or owner’s quality of life, the problem arises.
At this point I would like to recommend the cat secrets training, this could cure your cat’s anxiety and lower the stress level. Get going with the training here!
You may notice your cat experiencing stress or anxiety when traveling depending on its temperament and travel experience. Traveling cats are much more likely to be calmer than cats who aren’t well-traveled. Traveling, whether in cars, trains, or planes, can be stressful for cats who have not traveled much.
Various types of cat sedatives
Sedative effects are caused by various medications. Different cats may react to the same medication differently as well. It’s therefore not possible to select a sedative that is best suited to each cat. In fact, some sedatives may induce sleep in cats.
Another type of drug (often referred to as “tranquilizers”) brings about a feeling of calmness or helps to reduce anxiety. In fact, some drugs may be able to do both of these things.
Before giving your cat a sedative to prepare them for a trip, talk to your vet. Below you will find descriptions of different types of sedatives that may be used for cats. Instead of giving your pet sedatives try this drug-free alternative, cat secrets training, this can keep your cat calm and stress-free.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are sedatives used for humans and animals. Additionally, they can be used as muscle relaxants and anti-anxiety medications. Your cat will benefit from this drug because it increases gamma-aminobutyric acid release and facilitation. Your kitten will feel relaxed and sleepy after taking it.
Prescriptions are only available for this medication and there are some possible side effects including nausea, vomiting, aggression, and agitation.
Benadryl
Although technically a sedative, Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is not one. It is an antihistamine commonly used for treating allergy symptoms. However, sedation is one of the most common side effects. Over-the-counter Benadryl is a safe option for cat sedation. Ask your veterinarian what dosage and formulation are right for your dog.
Aside from dry mouth, heart rate increases, and urinary retention are some side effects. In the case of cats with certain medical conditions (such as glaucoma, high blood pressure, and certain urinary problems), Benadryl is not recommended.
Chlorpheniramine
Humans can take chlorpheniramine over the counter to treat colds and allergies. In cats, it is also useful for preventing allergies. The drug induces drowsiness as a side effect, so it can be used to sedate a car for the entire trip.
Gabapentin
Gabapentin is used to control seizures, relieve anxiety, treat pain, and manage sedation. There are some commonly used sedatives for cats that can be used for short-term events like grooming, travel, or vet visits.
Pets that are healthy and are not experiencing side effects are generally considered to be safe when taking Gabapentin. When pets who need a stronger sedative effect have been prescribed this medication, it is usually combined with other medications.
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Anxiety caused by fireworks and storms can be relieved by this medication. You can also use alprazolam for grooming, veterinary visits, and other purposes.
Despite the fact that it doesn’t have much of a sedative effect, it is commonly used as part of a better anxiety-relieving combination with sedatives. As a result, alprazolam can cause excitement in some pets (particularly younger animals) as opposed to tranquilization in other animals.
Clonidine
Dogs and cats use clonidine as a muscle relaxant and to relieve pain. As a result, it stimulates alpha adrenoreceptors in the brain, which have an impact on the blood vessels, nerve system, blood pressure, and heart rate.
The drug for cats can only be purchased by prescription for travel sedation, and the mild effect of the drug means you do not have to be worried that the cat will be completely out of it. The effects of the drug will take up to three hours to become apparent.
Is it safe for cats to take sedatives?
It might be time to try cat sedatives if your cat suffers from a moderate to severe fear of traveling. Katherine Pankratz DVM, DACVB, a certified veterinary behaviorist at Animal Behavioral Clinic in Portland, Ore., says that no medication is 100 percent safe for cats, but only your vet can determine if your cat is healthy enough for sedatives.
Pankratz notes that sedatives might affect your cat’s heart rate, blood pressure, or breathing rate depending on her health and how she travels.
You might be surprised to learn that your cat doesn’t need medication at all. Ask your vet what sedative is right for your cat—not just the best sedative for cats.
Both of these scenarios can be avoided with sedation or anxiety-reducing medication. In addition, they can make a cat feel more comfortable in a stressful situation.
Pets can also suffer from long-term anxiety. Maybe an older cat doesn’t like the new kitten that moved in with him or her. Cats with general anxiety may have trauma in the past or be anxious due to their personality type.
Conclusion
There are several ways to manage anxiety or stress in cats when traveling, so don’t worry if your pet gets upset or stressed out during the trip. In light of the dangers that cat sedatives for travel can pose, it’s best to avoid them unless your cat becomes severely stressed and you are unable to avoid traveling. Or you could go the drug-free way also, by trying the cat secrets training here!
Travel anxiety in cats can be managed in many ways. We have discussed a few of them. As well as positive reinforcement and gradual exposure, the best way to handle it is by teaching your cat to stay calm in different scenarios.
In addition, there are many over-the-counter medications and natural remedies that can help calm an anxious cat. The anxiety-reducing wraps, chamomile, lavender oil, and valerian oil are some of them.
When all you can do to calm your cat during travel has failed, you can use cat sedatives for travel.
