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How do I calm my cat who meows and is restless during car travel?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 3 months and 28 days old | 4.85 lbs

Leo constantly meows whenever we travel in our car. He keeps moving and doesn't stay still. How do I calm him down ?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Oneal Bogan, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 29th, 2018

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!

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 19th, 2017
You could try a pheromone spray like Feliway in and around his crate to help him relax. If he is not in a crate I would highly recommend using one - it's a good idea to acclimate cats to a crate by leaving it out and even feeding them inside so they aren't quite so stressed when having to travel in one. You could also try taking Felix for very short drives so he can get used to travel - you may even need to start by just putting him in the crate in the car for a minute or two if he becomes anxious quickly. Some cats even need an oral sedative before car travel so you could talk to veterinarian about prescribing a medication if he still seems extremely stressed. Good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My cat pees in carrier when traveling. Will Rescue Remedy help?

This is pretty normal as he is scared in the carrier, You can get Feliway spray and spray the cage. This may calm him down and take some of the stress. You should also cover the carrier while in the car, so he cannot look out the window, as cats do not understand the landscape rushing past them, and that is very scary. You can try rescue remedy in small amounts, however it usually has alcohol which is not recommended for cats and tastes horrible and might make the cat even more upset. So I suggest you try Feliway spray first.

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I think you should try Feliway spray for travel. Their website has great information and videos on how to use the product appropriately. This would be better to use than medication if it will work for him. ( https://www.feliway.com/us/Products/FELIWAY-CLASSIC-Spray )

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What helps calm a cat for car trips if Rescue Remedy didn't work?

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.

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My cat meows non-stop in the car. Is there anything I can do?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is somewhat typical behavior and really not much you can do. This is likely due to anxiety of being in the car and there are medications that can be given for anxiety such as gabapentin but I do not think that would be indicated in this case. Best of luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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What can I do to help my kitten with car anxiety on a long road trip?

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.

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Cat hates car rides? How to keep a stressed cat calm while moving.

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!

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Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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