Kitty Tranquilizer for Travelling

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Ginny & Alex

Ginny & Alex

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Yesterday, we decided to put one of the pheromone collars (smells really good-lavendar and chamomile fragrance) on Alex because we're meeting with another pet sitter today. First one didn't work out. On one of my breaks from pulling weeds, I came in and found the collar laying on the floor. It was broken, so I guess he didn't like it and I guess it wasn't providing the calming effect I'd hoped for. :lol:

We were also hoping to take Alex for a ride. I would like to visit my Mom and Dad for a weekend and I'm afraid my only option might be to take Alex with us unless he "likes" the today's pet siter. I saw someone else mention something about kitty Prozac on another post. I wonder if this is something I could give Alex before a 3 or 4 hour drive. Do you know what it's called? What are the side effects?
 
I'm sorry, but your comments on finding the collar were so funny. :lol: I have a collar that I bought when i worked at Disney Tails here at Downtown Disney (the shop is now closed or gone, but WDW still sells pet products) that i put on Cedric last Christmas for his first visit to the office with me. It just fit (which didn't make me happy) and he kept trying to walk backwards out of it!

As for the traveling part, I am taking it that your cat doesn't like riding in the car? when I moved down here to Fl in 2004, the vet gave me some pills to give to Midora in case she got upset (it's about 16-18 hours from philly to Orlando, which we did over 2 days). My dad INSISTED we gt this after hearing the horror story about my gret aunt's siamease being moved from PA to VA (about a 4 or 5 hour ride). needless to day, my girl was as good as gold and the pills weren't needed. They are still in the cupboard, but I couldn't tell you what they were....I just thought your comments were funny about the collar.

i hope Alex likes your pet sitter!
 
Alex doesn't like riding in a car. Alex doesn't like the vet (we actually have a vet who makes house calls now b/c the last few times we took Alex to a regular vet's office, he went into attack mode and they couldn't give him his shots and do an examination). Alex doesn't like getting his shot and a few weeks ago, I didn't think he was going to continue letting me give it, but Lori and Tom, gave me some pointers over the phone. While he still doesn't like it, I can do it. Alex didn't like the young woman who visited on Tuesday night--a potential pet sitter. I think it's safe to say that Alex doesn't like change.

Given all that, he can be the sweetest boy in the world and then I start feeling guilty that hubby and I want to take vacations like we did in the old days, but as things stand right now, we can't.
 
How does he respond to catnip? some cats are aggressive at first, then, really zone out.

Have you ever used Feliway spray or diffusers? These facial pheromones can be fairly calming.

Do play sessions tire him out enough to help him be calmer?
 
Poor Alex! I wonder if he's in attack mode because he thinks he's going to the vet? I don't really have a short term solution but maybe as a long term one he'll realize that not every car ride means he'll be at the vet. Maybe he can be included on trips to Petco when you buy your cat food.

Someone had a travel question and I posted some thoughts there too.

Good luck!
 
I haven't tried catnip, and while I didn't try the Feliway brand name products, I did buy a collar with the pheremones that a was supposed to have the same calming effect. No success.

Pet Sitter #2 just left the house with no luck. He hid and when hubby finally found him and brought him into the room with her, he hissed and struck at her. She was intimidated and admitted that she didn't think he would allow her to give shots.

So, I guess we'll start doing short drives to see how that goes. I don't ever think he'll be ready for a plane though.
 
Forcing cat introductions to people seldom works well and can't be done quickly with the cautious cat.

You might try having her sit on the floor (looming over the cat may be threatening) and use small, lo carb treats and tempting toys that entice him to come out and be social. You may need to pay the sitter for the introduction time, but it would be worth it to establish that trust.


For the driving/transportation desensitization, yes short trips at first, with treats and a heft spray of the Feliway into the car 15 minutes or so before you use it (the aerosol has an alcohol base and you want that to evaporate before getting in - it can be strong!)

To shape the cat's reaction to transport, think of tiny steps that work up to the target and work each step for 15-20 minutes each time, until the cat is calm with it. Use praise, treats, or desired activities (brushing, or toys, for example) to reward the cat at the end of a step. Each step could take several days to a week before the cat was calm with it.

For example, a more preliminary step would be leaving the carrier out and open, with a comfy blanket and tasty lo carb treat or toy or a pinch of catnip in it.

Then you might close the door, pick up the carrier with the cat in it, walk a few steps, treat, and open the door.

Gradually increase the time walking with the carrier.
Add going outside
Add getting into the car
Add turning the car on
Add moving the car a bit
Add more distance each time
Add visiting the vet for a getting acquainted (no shots/exams/etc) visit

And so on, time permitting.


Note: Feliway is much cheaper online; no other scents are added.
 
Willie doesn't like the car either!! A couple things that help us...

1. Bach Flower Rescue Remedy drops for pets. they are very calming and I have to say, they do work. I prefer not to give them orally as they make Willie pretty spacey, so I take two drops on each ear and rub them in, then rub one drop on each side of the base of his whiskers. makes a difference!

2. Comfort Zone with Feliway. This is a diffuser that you plug into the wall, just like one of those plug-in air fresheners, but rather than fragrance, they contain a pheremone solution. I swear by these things... they helped immensely with Willie's grieving when his companion Miss Jezebelle passed away. I have an adapter that I can plug into the car charger socket that turns it into a regular outlet, then plug the comfort zone thingy into that. You can also buy spray, but I think the diffuser works better. We are going on a 5 hour trip to Iowa in a couple weeks, and I plan on having it plugged in for a day or two before we leave so the car is a super happy place!!

Good luck!!
 
Prozac is not a med that will provide short-term sedation. It is an anti-anxiety med that takes weeks to build up in the system.

There are ST sedation meds for ground (not air) travel. Your vet should be able to advise and prescribe.
 
we take our kitties on road trips lasting as long as 13 - 14 hours. the night before and the morning of the trip i give each of them one tab of Calms Forté crushed and mixed in their food. Calms Forté is a natural homeopathic remedy. it's worked well... even with one of my civvies who used to panic during car trips. i like how it calms them down without resorting to drugs.

Roadtrip.jpg
 
My cats' responses to long trips are completely different to short trips. None of my cats do short trips well at all. Both trips we've had to make to the UofMN have been fine. Smokey was a bit agitated on the way back, but I am sure that was the drugs they gave her with the sedation.
Good luck on the trip and good luck with the sitter situation. Hopefully you will find someone who is willing to stick it out until Alex gets used to them.
 
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