How stressful is a long-distance flight for my cat? Should I worry?

You're a super thoughtful owner for considering Liam's health. In my opinion, and as owner of 2 cats, I can tell you that mine (and most that I know) prefer to be at home, and pretty much despise travel. If you don't have to take him, leave him at home, and have the neighbors feed him and interact with him, so that he's comfortable and happy at home.

Cats generally don't do well either way, but taking them out of their environment is typically more stressful to cats. I would suggest keeping her there in the house and let your friend take care of her needs while you're away. You can also look into a supplement called Zylkene which is a natural way to treat anxiety in pets. It is available online and in some veterinarian clinics. It is a capsule tht can either be given by mouth or potentially sprinkled on your pets food daily. If you are interested in this approach, I would recommend trying it first at home with Bitsy while you are still there to ensure she still stays interested in her food, especially if you decide to sprinkle it on top. A good tip here is to mix it in with the food to hide it well. If you are using dry kibble then adding a small amount of water will help to mix in the contents. Other options for stress management can be discussed with your veterinarian, but most require giving the medication by mouth and I'm not sure how comfortable your friend would be with this approach. I hope that this information proves helpful. Best of luck with your pet Bitsy moving forward. Take care!

I am glad your kitty is bonding so well with you. I would think, however, that a flight and trip in a strange place would be more stressful than staying home without you. You may consider having your pet sitter come over a few times to meet your kitty before your trip. You can also use a Feliway diffuser https://www.feliway.com/us#redirected and a calming supplement like Zylkene http://www.vetoquinolusa.com/content/zylkene or Composure to try to decrease stress while you are away.

Hello, thats certainly a long flight. Cats in general have the demeanor of being cautious about new environments, noises, and objects so it is not surprising he becomes very stressed under these conditions. You may speak to your veterinarian about having calming medication prescribed to Fuzz for the long journey. I would also check with your airline provider to ensure that cargo conditions are adequate for animals, temperatures can become very hot under there and may not be safe at all for pets. There are things like zylkene tablets and other sedatives your veterinarian may be able to provide you with. Make sure Fuzz has a good thorough physical exam during his health certification to ensure he is in good shape to travel a long journey. Best of luck and hope this helps.

Stress can affect a senior cat's health, but it is possible to take Rainbow with you to college. A one hour flight will be much easier for her than a 12 hour car ride, and I'd recommend taking her that way. You can talk to your vet to see if they feel she may need any medications for the trip, but I personally flew my cats from the US to New Zealand when I moved here without medication and that was a 12 hour flight from Los Angeles to Auckland. Cats do handle flights well, and one hour is a short flight. I think that having her there with you will help with your transition to college, and she will like being with her owner. I would consider taking her with you.

I think you need to prioritize what is most comfortable for you and your cat. Some cats are very stressed by changing locations, others enjoy it. Personally, I leave my pets at home and have someone trusted check on them daily to make sure they are eating and drinking.

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!