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

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!

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.

Hi there, I always recommend trialing the sedation with a quick drive around the neighborhood before the big day to ensure that the kitty is calm enough. CBD is being studied for pets right now, but the hard data for recommending dosages isn't available yet. As well, many CBD advertised products will have enough THC to cause toxicity in pets, so I do caution to monitor closely and not give large amounts of a product you are unfamiliar with. I cannot think of a reason that a missing eye would interfere with mild sedation but I don't have the whole medical record either. Medications like Gabapentin or Trazodone would be more commonly prescribed for mild anxiety reducing and sedative purposes for a long drive. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about your cat. I can't find any interactions between them, but I would give one or the other, not both at the same time. You don't want to over-sedate your cat. I'd use the gabapentin for the road trip. I hope this helps!

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.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Molly. I recommend discussing the use of gabapentin with her veterinarian. This medication can cause sedation and calming effects in cats. A probiotic such as Fortiflora can help with GI distress. Her veterinarian may prescribe an antibiotic to have on hand as well in case the diarrhea occurs. I hope this information helps!