Is my cat okay in this carrier? How to prevent cat travel stress?

I know how you feel. I just flew with 5 of my own pets for a flight that was over 7 hrs. So you are a bit limited here, but there are some safe things you can do to ease the stress for Moka. 1) No sedatives- these are not safe and also not permitted due to the vast temperature ranges that your fur baby can be exposed to. Also if she is going in cargo pressure changes can make her at risk for serious injury if she is on any type of sedative/tranquilizer. 2) Stress reducing natural remedies- there are lots of options here at your local pet store. Get an associate to help you find some that will work for you. 3) Place a clothing item with your scent on it in the carrier with her 4) Don't stop giving her food or water for any period of time. You want her well hydrated and well fed. Most cats won't eat much in transit, so letting her eat is a good idea. 5) Place a pee pad or towel at the bottom of the carrier in case of accidents. You will be surprised to know that most cats hold their urine and feces well during transit, unless of course Moka has a diagnosed separation anxiety condition, in which case she may have an accident or two. 6) Relax- your pet picks up on your mood! So if you are stressed, she will be stressed! Just relax and things will be just fine.

For a 30 minute transport, this is should be fine. There looks there are a lot of holes, which is good. I'd be surprised if they get their heads through the holes, but you can make them smaller to be safe. This is a very clever way to transport them! I hope this helps!

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.

You should purchase a cat carrier to safely travel with Mennu. I have a link to a few examples below. It would be best to get Mennu as familiar with the carrier as possible prior to travel to help reduce stress - leave the carrier out so she can explore it. You may even want to try feeding her in the carrier. Take her for a short trip once before leaving. A pheromone spray like Feliway could help reduce stress. Good luck! https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/cat/cat-containment/cat-carriers-crates-and-kennels/cat-plastic-crates

I would agree with Dr. Johnson. Catnip and Feliway spray can be helpful. You might also consider some training, by having her spend time in her carrier at home without actually going anywhere. Giving her treats in the carrier at home, and even progressing to short car rides around the block can be good baby steps to becoming comfortable for longer trips. I hope this helps.

Hello, and thank you for your question. It is likely not possible to get a cat used to travelling if it is so infrequent. Travelling can be stressful for cats, so I would only advise it if you have no options for pet-sitters or pet boarding in your area. If you do end up taking your cat with you, you can try a feline pheromone spray called Feliway, which is designed to help minimize stress. You can start spraying it in your house a few days before your travel date, and spray it in the carrier. Leave the carrier out for a few days in advance, and try putting some treats and toys in it to get her exploring and getting comfortable with it. If you are flying, check the airline for requirements for pets. Some require a health certificate within 10 days of travel, and require up to date vaccinations. If you suspect your cat will be very stressed during the trip, consider taking him or her to the vet to discuss the use of temporary sedatives to make the trip easier for them. I hope this helps!

I would take the door off of the carrier for now and leave it out at all times. Put treats and eventually feed her in the carrier. It may take weeks to get her used to it. Then put the door back on and keep feeding her in there. Eventually you should be able to close the carrier to take her to the vet. Also you may talk to her vet about some sedation or anxiety medication that could be given prior to her appointment time. Good luck. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.