How to calm my nervous cat's car ride anxiety and stop her panting?

I would suggest feliway spray; http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1061 Feliway Spray quickly puts an end to stress-related behavior like cat urine marking and inappropriate scratching. Use Feliway to treat surfaces your pet has already marked, as well as prominent objects that could be future targets. It also helps comfort your cat in new or stressful environments such as the veterinarian's office, a new home (or home with multiple cats), while traveling or boarding, and when introducing new cats to your home.

You may want to try bringing some things from home that are familiar to make him more comfortable like a bed or a crate. If he seems more anxious at night you may want to confine him to a dark quiet room. I think pheromone diffusers can be very helpful. I am a little concerned about the panting at night: although some cats will pant when they are extremely anxious it is more often a sign of respiratory distress. If you feel Zorro is having trouble breathing you should see a veterinarian right away.

Cars are quite stressful for many cats, so Dash isn't alone in this issue! However, as you mentioned, stress can definitely lead to shedding of viruses that trigger URIs. Calming pheromones, like Feliway, can be helpful when sprayed or wiped in carriers. Since Dash's stress-related situation sounds more severe, I also recommend asking your veterinarian about prescribing some medication (such as trazodone and gabapentin) for this trip. Doses can vary a bit with individual cats, so it's always important to conduct a trial run ahead of time to see if the dose seems sufficient. If the first dose doesn't alleviate enough stress, your vet may need to increase it a bit for your longer drive. Best of luck with your move!

In terms of over-the-counter options, it would be safe to try a natural calming supplement like Zylkene or Solliquin for cats - both of these can be very helpful in reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation in situations like this. If you think that Nala may need something stronger, you can also talk to your veterinarian about prescription anti-anxiety medication for her.

Hello. Unfortunately some cats never get used to car rides. You can try rescue remedy before travel to calm him, and also put him in a cat carrier with a towel over it. Spray the towel with feliway which is a feline phermone that can calm them. I hope that helps Leo. Thanks for using Pet Coach!

The original is still the best. There are generic versions, however I found them unreliable. The price difference is not huge, so I suggest you invest in the original Feliway spray from CEVA. Check on line (search for ) "Compare prices for Feliway spray". You can also start leaving out the carrier with the door open, put a nice bed in it and feed her near it at first, moving the food closer and closer and finally feeding her in the carrier. This will also take some anxiety away. When driving in the car, cover the carrier, so the cat cannot look out the window, as this is really scary for a cat as she cannot understand why everything passes her by so fast.

Hello. If you have the time, you might want to condition Jupiter to the car. If time is limited, placing him in a carrier ( making sure he is comfortable in a carrier ), putting the carrier on the floor & covering the carrier with a light sheet might soothe his anxiety. Do make sure you have an ID tag on him is case something happens. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.