Q: Cat in the car

Dec 01, 2008

My cat also hates the car, and meows very sadly for up to an hour! (We move back and forth from NY to RI twice a year for school). His vet suggested that we give him 1/4 of a 25mg Benadryl tablet before trips. We gave it to him an hour before the trip, and he was fine but very sleepy, but the medication wore off way too soon and he cried as usual in the car. These things may also help: try spraying Feliway in the carrier and your car (we can't smell it), put a toy with the cat, and stop every hour or two to let him wander the car, get a drink, and use a litter box if necessary. I know it's unsafe but for long highway stretches Wally sits on my lap and is very calm. He is fascinated by tractor trailers, haha.

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Nov 30, 2008

It sounds like traveling for your guy is a stressful experience plain and simple. If a cat doesn't enjoy car trips when they're young, it only gets worse with age. I would suggest only taking him out when necessary such as for vet visits, otherwise leave him at home where he feels safe and secure.

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Nov 29, 2008

my cat loves the car! she watches outside
i just put him on my lap and pet him

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Nov 28, 2008

My cat Pearl loves the car. We adopted her when she was an adult. I think some cats simply don't like the car.

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Nov 27, 2008

you really need to start when they are young. but you can slowly get your cat to do better. put him in a crate and ride him on short trips and keep it positive.

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Nov 27, 2008

I do the towel trick and try to talk to my cat during the ride. Sometimes it won't help, but other than medication, there probably isn't a lot more you can do.

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Nov 27, 2008

Some of our pets get sick also, i have covered the carrier with a towel before. I think some will always get sick regardless what we do. Good luck!

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Nov 27, 2008

I usually secure their carrier and cover it with a towel. I have never taken them on a long trip but they have gotten used to the 15 mile drive to the vet that we use.
If you really can't calm them down though I would talk to your vet about some sort of calming sedative.

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Nov 26, 2008

Most cats just dont like cars. One of my cats doesnt mind it at all, i dont even have to put him in a carrier. Bottom line its just not natural for a cat to be in a speeding automotive! HAha, i di just see motion sickness pills for animals, maybe that would help?

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Nov 26, 2008

I always put my cats in a carrier when taking them to their vet appointments. I use a towel to cover over both sides and the back end of the carrier so the kitties aren't as aware of movement in the vehicle. If taking kitty on a long trip, he made need a sedative prescibed by a veterinarian.

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