Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My cat gets anxious on planes. What can I give her to calm down?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | unspayed | 7 months and 26 days old | 8 lbs

I am going to be moving to Chicago and the plane ride is 1 hour and a half, I am going to take my cat with me any advice on what to give her so she doesnt get anxious, stressed & scared. Also I am afraid she might meow alot. Any supplement I can give her? Any advice will be very beneficial to me also

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By C. Rathjens, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 13th, 2018

Plane rides can definitely be stressful for cats. There are several different sedatives that would be appropriate for a healthy young cat. Gabapentin is my favorite, but you'll have to talk with your vet to see what they are comfortable with. Acepromazine is a sedative that was commonly used previously, but is not longer recommend because we understand better that is it slows down the body, but not the mind - not so helpful for scary situations. Good luck!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on August 11th, 2017
Many great questions! Cats can get very nervous in cars, and it's possible that could occur on a plane. The first thing I would do is have Lila seen by a vet. You can discuss with the vet about using anti-anxiety medications or light sedatives before the flight so she is calm during it. It would be fine to give her water before the flight, but I would withhold food that morning. Food in her stomach may make her vomit and if she gets a sedative, she should have an empty stomach for it. You can try a pheromone spray, as those may help, and I think getting her used to the crate is a good idea. Start by putting her in it for five minutes at a time a couple of times a day, then slowly increase the amount of time she is in it until you have her in it for a couple of hours. When she is in it for a couple of hours, just do that once a day. Good luck with the move, I hope this helps :-)
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Lauren Kennedy, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 22nd, 2018
You could try using some Feliaway on the towel, bed, and/or carrier she will be using for travel. This may help her remain more calm. I would also feed her like you usually do so she isn’t hungry in addition to being stressed.

Best of luck. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Can my senior cat fly safely? What sedatives help with travel anxiety?

I would think it would be safe for Cindy as long as she doesn't have any blood pressure issues. There are sedatives that would be safe. Talk to her veterinarian about Alprazolam which most cats tolerate very well. I recommend a trial run before the plane ride to make sure Cindy does well with it. Best of luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

What's the best drug to calm my anxious cat before a vet visit?

Actually now the recommend medication is gabapentin. Ask your veterinarian for some and give it before the visit. With this the cats are just mellow, easy to handle and not as drugged as with the other medications. Diazepam is not used much in cats now due to it causing liver problems. Apromazine can make them sedate but doesn’t reduce the aggression. I personally don’t find Xanax effective. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for your cat.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Help! My cat hates car rides. How to sedate him for a long move?

Gabapentin can cause sedation in some cats but not all. You can try a dose that your vet prescribed to see if it helps with a short car trip around the block. If it doesn't work, I would talk to your vet about a different medication, possibly alprazolam and also use Cerenia, which prevents nausea often associated with motion sickness in these kitties.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

Safe sedatives for my cat's 10-hour flight? Or holistic options?

Ginger should be examined by the veterinarian prior to the flight to check her heart and blood pressure. She will likely need a health certificate and vaccine update (if due). If she is prone to stress, sedatives/anti-anxiety medications may help. In general, the over the counter options don't tend to be effective (though you can try them). Your veterinarian will have proven medications that work. It is also recommend to have a trial run at home a few days before your flight so you know how Ginger responds to them. Here is also a helpful article: https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-travel-with-a-cat/ I hope this helps.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

How to calm anxious cats for a long car trip or cross-country move

I sympathize with you. I just moved across the country with my 2 cats last year. There are a number of over the counter options, but none of them are as reliable as prescription medications. So, it really depends on how anxious your cats are as to which would be a better option for them. You could try calming treats such as Composure ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetri-science-composure-feline-bite-sized-chews ) for an herbal option. We used to recommend tranquilizers for traveling which would sedate an animal, but we now recommend milder anti-anxiety medications that do not cause excessive sedation. I used the prescription medication Gabapentin for my cats for a 3 day drive across the country, and they did great. I would recommend asking your veterinarian for their recommendation and try a few products before you actually move. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

How to calm my anxious cat for a flight? Should I use a sedative?

Some cats don't do well on planes. Sedatives may or may not be safe for Leo, so he should be examined by a vet in Texas to determine what would be the best course of action. If he hasn't been in a kennel before this plane ride, you may have some time to work on getting him more comfortable in his carrier before your flight back.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

What natural remedies calm my cat for airport travel & security?

Hi there! You could try Feliway pheromone spray in her carrier before the trip, along with a natural calming supplement such as Zylkene or Composure. All of these can be ordered online or purchased at pet stores without a prescription.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share