Are Cat Sedatives for Travel Necessary?

Traveling with cats can be a stressful experience for both cats and their owners. If you’re about to embark on a journey with your furry feline friend, you might be wondering whether sedation is necessary. While sedatives can be beneficial for cats during travel, there are also alternative methods of calming cats that can be used. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and risks of sedatives and the alternative methods of calming cats for travel.

Are Sedatives Necessary?

Sedatives have long been used to calm cats during travel, particularly when cats are traveling by air or car. Sedatives help to reduce a cat’s anxiety and restlessness, which can make the journey more comfortable for both the cat and its owner. However, sedatives aren’t always necessary, and there are other methods that can be used to calm cats during air or car rides. 

The primary benefit of using sedatives is that they can help to reduce anxiety and stress in cats. The sedative will induce a feeling of relaxation and make it easier for cats to be contained in crates or carriers during transit. Sedatives also help to reduce motion sickness in cats, making the journey more comfortable for them. 

However, there are also risks associated with using sedatives. Sedatives can cause side effects in cats, such as drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion. Not only that, sedatives can cause adverse effects that can be catastrophic to the cat’s short-term and long-term health. It’s also important to note that sedatives can interact with other medications and should only be used with the approval of a veterinarian. 

If you are traveling with a cat, it’s important to note that most airlines will not take a pet if it looks like they have been sedated. Ground transportation companies follow the same guidelines, as well.

Alternatives to Sedatives

If you’re not comfortable using sedatives to calm your cat during travel, there are other methods that can be used. One of the primary alternatives to sedatives is pheromones, which are chemicals that cats naturally produce to reduce stress. Pheromones can be used to calm cats and make them feel more secure and relaxed during travel. 

Another alternative to sedatives is music. Playing soft music can help to relax cats and make them feel more at ease during travel. Music can also help to reduce motion sickness in cats and make them more comfortable during the journey. 

There are also calming sprays that will ensure your cherished cat is in a zen-like mode during the trip. These sprays are much better and won’t have adverse effects on your kitty. 

Here is one calming spray we recommend: 

Calming Spray for Cats

• This formula spray calms your cat to avoid any high-stress situation.
• The safe-to-use spray will prevent your cat from clawing back, peeing, and stressing.
• The spray reduces stress effectively within seven days and is good for travel.

How To Calm a Nervous Cat

In addition to using sedatives and alternatives, there are other steps that owners can take to reduce stress in cats during travel. One of the most important things to do is to make sure that the cat is properly prepared before the journey. This means ensuring that the cat is well-fed, hydrated, and has access to a litter box. 

During the journey itself, it’s important to make sure that the cat is comfortable. This means providing a comfortable carrier or crate and ensuring that the cat has access to food and water. It’s also a good idea to provide the cat with a familiar toy or blanket to help reduce their stress. 

If you’re hiring a professional pet transport service, make sure you also have an empathetic transporter. The best pet transporters adhere to the USDA’s rules and regulations in pet handling, communicate effectively with you by providing updates along the journey, and offer door-to-door delivery.

New CDC Rule

The CDC has recently passed new laws concerning flying with pets. These new rules are intended to limit the exposure of rabies in the United States. Due to these new rules, American Airlines has decided to embargo pets from flying into the United States from countries or territories considered “high risk” for rabies or if the pet has been in a high-risk location within the past six months.

Bottom Line

Traveling with cats can be a stressful experience for both owners and cats alike. Sedatives can be beneficial for cats during travel, but there are also alternative methods of calming cats that can be used. These alternatives include pheromones, music, and other methods of making cats feel more secure during the journey. It’s also important to make sure that cats are properly prepared before the journey and that they have access to a comfortable carrier or crate during the trip. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your cat is relaxed and comfortable during its journey.