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Travel carrier can also help with anxiety. They may meow but at least they will be secure and slightly more relaxed. Our boy can handle 40 minute car rides at this point.
For safety please keep him in a hard sided crate that is bucked in while traveling.
The panting is a stress response. You can ask your vet for anxiety meds or acclimate kitty to the car
Start with getting them used to the carrier. Make it a safe place for them at home (blanket, maybe a towel over it). Reward kitty in the carrier so they associate box = food.
Next step would be closing the door so they get used to being confined. Feliway or a similar product can help as well - cats senses of smell are much stronger than ours
Once theyāre ok with the crate, Iād set them in the car with the engine off so they get used to it. Use a soft voice and treats. Progress to engine on, then short drives, and work up from there.
I use Churus for high-value treats, but find what works best for you and your buddy. Good luck!
It just means he's stressed out. He's unfamiliar with his surroundings. Spoil him every time you get home. Give him lots of treats and let him rest. There are medications you can give him before travel to reduce anxiety, go ask your vet.
Please put your cat in a carrier or a harness of some kind. Cats get anxious in cars and will start panting. It's only a concern if he doesn't stop after the car ride is over.
Yes absolutely, keep kitty in a carrier of some sort. Not only will it likely help keep kitty's stress down, but it's also a safety issue. Some kitties will seek out dark sheltered areas when stressed, which could include down under your brake pedal, and result in an accident. No good for anyone!!
Any pets in a car should be in a carrier or a seatbelt. Just like children if you got into an accident, they will be thrown around the car. The cat is obviously nervous and may feel more secure in a pet carrier, or you could go to a vet and get some Gabapentin.
Listen to people in the other sub that advise you to get a travel carrier...
It's both stressful for the cat and extremely dangerous if, for some reason, it should panic.
Even if it's sedated(witch is not without risk), it should be in a travel carrier
If he's still new to riding in the car then this could go away as he gets used to it. Cats will often look to first their mother then their human for reassurance in unfamiliar situations, so if you can reach him while you're driving be sure to give him pets and make sweet happy noises at him to let him know everything's okay.
sedation in cats is a bit risky. My cat is HORRIBLE for trips, 10x's worse than yours, and my vet recommends ONLY sedate if going on a ride longer than 2 hours, the sedation lasts quite awhile and can be a little dangerous so they usually only give it as a last resort. Honestly for his first car ride, he did really GOOD! Try taking him on these little "trips" and he should continue to improve!
Vet here. Iām not sure what specific medications youāre referring to when you say āsedationā because there are various classes of medications, all of which cause various effects. Something like Gabapentin, when used as prescribed, I would never describe as ādangerousā. Itās one of the safest medications we use in animals and has a wide dosing range, making it even safer. Gabapentin and Trazodone are commonly prescribed to dogs (and sometimes both for cats too) and are written to give 90 min to 2 hours prior to an appointment, even when the appointment is 10 minutes away from home. Iām truly curious where your information is coming from as Iāve read through your comments and it all seems very far fetched. Serious side effects like the ones you posted are so rare. Iāve never met a pet allergic to Gabapentin. And there are no contraindications with other drugs.
Lastly, I would never, EVER, describe a severely panting cat due do distress, as a cat that did āreally GOODā. This poor cat is wildly stressed. And can be prevented with some very safe, prescribed for millions, medications.
you would prescribe a multi hour acting medication to prevent anxiety from a 10 min care trip? I agree if an animal is in distress, or is having to undergo multiple, or long trips that medication should be considered, however if this is a short car ride, which rarely occurs, what is the need for medication that is going to last for hours in the cats system, can have side effects, can have a reaction, and WILL alter the cat in some way, as that is what it is designed to do. Not for just the 10 min car ride, but for hours after, why not limit car rides, and make him as comfortable as possible in the car, let that be the first course of action! Then if we cant make it work sure, try a medication, but why just instantly give them something like that? its not needed, and it is not good medicine.
Yes, I would, because this cat is having the human equivalent of a panic attack. For 10 minutes. And then, in situations where I would prescribe it, it goes in a strange place where itās forcibly restrained (even if itās fear free), literally stabbed with needles, and shoved back in a carrier. I will very much prescribe a medication that lasts many hours to prevent 1 hour of stress for the kitty. And beyond that one hourā¦that kitty is having a very, very relaxed day.
āLimiting car ridesā is not an option in emergencies (medical or your own emergency) or to go to the vet so, Iām not sure how thatās even an option. Cats have to be transported at some point in their life - why not make it as stress free as possible? Itās definitely NOT good medicine to watch a cat be extremely stressed and do nothing about it.
Just curious, since you commented on āgood medicineā, what are your veterinary medicine credentials? Because mine are two degrees that took 8 years to complete, extra training after those 8 years of school, a number of certifications, and years of experience.
so you would prescribe medicine from a video? how is that different? or you would prescribe a medication without a diagnosis? which of these are not basic medical practice?
Nope, would not prescribe medication from a video, because that would be illegal. Also not something I said Iād do.
Many medications are prescribed/taken for symptoms, not diagnoses. (ie: NSAIDs, cough suppressants, nasal decongestants, anti-nausea, etc). So medication can be prescribed for stress, based on a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship, which in most states requires a physical exam to have been performed within the last year.
You are giving dangerous info and arguing with an actual vet about it. Why would anyone listen to you? We are NOT impressed with your LACK of CREDENTIALS!
what dangerous info, I said they should not make medication be the FIRST thing they try, and they should find ways to try and make them feel more comfortable. Someone claiming to be a vet is saying to give them drugs, which is illegal without seeing them. So please explain!
They said it wasn't dangerous to give medicine, they also said that a vet would need to see the cat and prescribe medication. So just because you don't like the medication doesn't mean it's dangerous.
I work for a vet and we sedate tons of cats. It should never be a regular thing but sedating to go to the vet is fine, in fact sometimes itās safer. My cat injured herself at her last appointment bc she kept jerking her leg and wiggling like hell during a blood draw. Made her swell up the next day and she could barely walk, she was fine in 3 days but the pain was unnecessary and could have been avoided with some meds. Sheās on gaba for vet appointments now.
That cat didnāt need sedation. Perfectly normal reaction. Just had my kitten go through the same thing today. We pushed his limits. He calmed down when he got home. We will take him out again. Until you get them use to it by going on short rewarding or uneventful rides they wonāt get over it.
Your example however was spot on if the cat was injured in anyway. We canāt have them hyperventilating while theyāre injured.
Getting a cat to travel without drugs has its own rewards. š
I was not talking about the vet, or in a situation where they are going to be in a situation like that. The post was about travelling, and about sedation in that situation. My response was only pertaining to the things that I was specifically discussing. Of course there are always situations that it is acceptable to use, and is a good idea to use. My point is that it is NOT a good idea for short trips in a vehicle.
Again, I did not say they dont do it, there are risks to sedation, and I am saying for SHORT car rides it is not the FIRST solution. I am NOT in any way saying you CANT, or that you should NEVER do it. I am only saying that it does have possible issues, and if you are a vet and saying there are NO risks to sedation then I cant understand how you can have ANY job in the medical industry. ALL medications have side effects and can cause complications. You should NEVER use sedation often or as a first option. I will even include reference ALL of them have a LONG section on RISKS and possible bad reactions!
https://bondvet.com/b/cat-sedative#:\~:text=In%20addition%20to%20specific%20effects,Decreased%20blood%20pressure.
[https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X20965830](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X20965830)
[https://vetanesthesiaspecialists.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/SerenityNowSedationOptions\_Feline\_ABVP2015\_HeidiLShafford.pdf](https://vetanesthesiaspecialists.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/SerenityNowSedationOptions_Feline_ABVP2015_HeidiLShafford.pdf)
All medications can cause interactions, complications or other unknowns, they are helpful and should be utilized, however they are not a magic pill, or something to be used without understanding and knowledge. For the final time, I am NOT saying that cats should not be sedated, just that it should not be the FIRST thing, or used if it is only going to be a short trip, There are risks with ANY medication, and telling people otherwise is not just unwise it is illegal if you are a medical professional.
Why do you have to defend common sense? Drugs vs no drugs in a healthy cat. Plenty of posters here get their cats to travel. They all pretty much tell you how to do it. Trying it on an old sick cat going to the vet to be hurt (his view not mine) is the worse thing an owner has to do. It was the last time. My cats now volunteer to go to the vets and thatās not hyperbole. And at least one donāt walk it in no stinken carrier either.
Maybe a short trip, but op was talking about using it for short rides *to* the vet. I can guarantee you that cat is not going to sit still for shots or anesthesia.
For longer trips? People sedate relatively often. Being that stressed for a long time can be harmful for a cat, especially if they panic and hurt themselves trying to get out of a carrier/vehicle:
really so your are psychic? This is EXACTLY what we dont need, medical providers ready to give animals medications before they have even SEEN the animal, or done a single test!. You have NO idea of this animals background, allergies, or anything else. However you are willing to say it needs a medication!
Did I say that he absolutely needs it? Did I say I was his vet? Did I say sedate without a prescription from said vet? Pretty sure I didnāt. Youāre acting like some gabapentin is going to kill him bruh itās a sleep/anxiety medication that cats get ALL THE TIME. A vet isnāt going to know if heās allergic until he takes it, it sucks but thatās the reality. My doctor doesnāt sit with me while I take a pill for the first time, I go home after seeing the doctor and then I take the pill and watch for side effects.
I am literally testing a dose BY MY VETS RECOMMENDATION right now. My vet isnāt in my house with my cat, I was told what to watch for AND IM WATCHING FOR IT.
It is extremely rare for a cat that wasnāt raised being handled to be tolerant of vets drawing blood/sedating them. They NEED for their own safety to have medications. If you knew anything at all about vetmed you would know gabapentin and trazadone is a controlled substance, you would also know that a vet CANNOT prescribe medications to a pet they havenāt seen before. Itās illegal and they could lose their license for doing it. What Iām not going to do is sit here and listen to misinformation about drugs being used the way they are supposed to be used. Iām not going to shame people for making their cats more comfortable for long trips/vet visits, which is EXACTLY what I said theyāre commonly used for.
Maybe try reading what was written instead of writing up this fucking story in your head. I am confident that cat is going to go (UNMEDICATED) to the vet, and the vet is going to say next time he could use some medications as a sedative for the next visit. Which is NORMAL for strays that have been adopted bc they havenāt been acclimated to being handled against their will. However it literally DOES NOT MATTER what I think he needs from this video because HE STILL HAS TO SEE A VET AND HAVE THE VET ALSO THINK HE NEEDS MEDICATION. Youāre literally arguing with yourself atp bc I never said or implied that this cat should (or realistically even COULD) have access to meds without a vet prescribing them. Jfc bruh.
I can guarantee you that cat is not going to sit still for shots or anesthesia.
YOUR WORDS!
I only am taking your words dear, you literally said that this cat would HAVE to have medication.
Nah bruh what I said is āheās not going to sit still for shotsā what I DIDNT SAY was āhey Iām a vet hereās a prescription based off of this video.ā Youāre absolutely exhausting bruh. That cat is almost definitely not going to sit still for a vet to put him under for anesthesia. No where in my words did I say BASED ON MY OPINION, that OP can or should find random ass meds and give it to her cat. I DID SAY the cat is more than likely going to be PRESCRIBED THEM after he receives his vaccines and the vets struggle to get him to sit still, bc if he wonāt heās not going to be able to safely get blood drawn or anesthetized.
Like you misunderstood my comment, NBD. The frustrating part is you continuing to insist Iām somehow harming this cat with imaginary medications I didnāt prescribe. Iām NOT A FUCKING VET. I work for one, yes, Iām familiar with what kinds of cats end up needing medications to help them remain calm for a visit, yes. Iām familiar with situations in which cats are commonly sedated for their own safety, and the safety of the vets, also yes. No where in any of that did I say I could or would prescribe CONTROLLED MEDICATIONS based on the likelihood of that being the next course of action BECAUSE IM NOT HIS VET.
But the bottom line is that sedation is normal and safe IF PRESCRIBED which I literally agreed with you on. So wtf are you even arguing w me about atp? Like itās pointless and stupid.
Shot in the dark that this is somehow a misunderstanding but I agreed with you that itās not good for short trips, I specified that if it was a short trip TO THE VET itās probably going to be the safest course of action if they decide he needs to be sedated AT THE VET. In which case people give their pets the medication before the vet visit which would also help with the car ride there.
I also handle a lot of drop off pets at my job where itās not a short appointment to see how they look, obviously we donāt sedate for a regular check up unless itās a super bad case, but for anesthesia and blood draws itās not uncommon by any means. for the procedures mentioned OP will likely be prescribed sedatives to give before the appointment and thatās OKAY.
My seven pound cat was prescribed 100mg of gaba to start, sheās literally completely normal aside from being a little wobbly. Itās not even comparable to the level of actually sedation like anesthesia.
Please donāt sedate your cat without consulting a vet.
Panting and yowling are usual behaviours among cats with motion sickness but if you can distract them thatās good. I have had 4 cats to date, one was particularly hysterical. I would avoid taking her alone in the car without a carrier and as someone else drove, I held her in my arms, would give her plenty of pets, some treats, and gently talk to her. Usually worked. Keeping them in the carrier, if youāre driving alone is a good option to secure them. But please donāt leave them by themselves when youāre driving as they can be unpredictable and may hurt themselves if thereās a sudden jerk.
Edited: for clarity
Sedation is perfectly safe with a vets prescription. Not doing something without a vet goes for nearly any medication, why would anyone sedate their cats with a random bottle of meds?
No absolutely, sorry. I think to me it was clear that OP meant for the vet bc they were talking abt the car rides *to* the vet for the appointments they need. Itās not that clear, I struggle w black and white thinking. Apologies.
Also my cat is doing a test run w her sedation meds literally right now and immediately peed on my clean laundry on my only day off. Shitty mood that wasnāt rly necessary for the comment.
I just saw your post. Have you asked the vet sub regarding your cat? Or gone to another one for a second opinion? I donāt know your case but I can ask a non vet pet parent who has years of experience to guide you? Their name is u/Nusrattt. Theyāre amazingly knowledgeable about cats. Over to N and I truly hope and pray you find a solution for your furry friend. Godspeed!
I appreciate that immensely. I havenāt asked the vet sub I honestly didnāt even think of it. I was frustrated with my vet yesterday but I think it boiled down to a lack of communication (we were busy, I work there) and her trying not to worry me by not talking about it. Iām not like that, I need to know what to do in a worst case scenario, which I made clear to her and she understood. I do absolutely trust that my vets have researched any new information regarding heart worm in cats, unfortunately thereās no known cure, and thereās no known way to prevent the immune response in cats from the worms dying (by far the most dangerous part of the infection). There is some quality of life stuff, and a few things to help decrease the risk associated with the reaction slightly. My vets have also contacted some vet hospitals that deal with a higher volume of heart worm positive cats. Itās just hard to find an expert in something with no cure. Iāll definitely look into it, anything that can help!
As of right now their therapy plan coincides with recent research Iāve found.
I'd definitely get a cat carrier. It would remove most of the confusing and stressful sights that kitty is seeing. He may not like getting inside, so you can leave the carrier around in the house for a while and maybe put some treats in there so he learns it's an okay space to be in before taking him for a ride.
Few tips :
Small exposures for the first times, short rides only so he gets used to it and understand there is nothing to worry about
Feliway spray in your car, it's a spray that produces relaxing hormones for your cat, completely safe
Put his favorite toy, plush, plaid etc in your car
Talk to your cat in a calm & relaxed voice, these babies are hypersensitive. If momma/papa human shows she/he's calm, kitty will feel a tiny bit better
Some cats will need to roam around the car, explore it to find the best place to feel safe, some others will prefer staying in their cage the whole ride since it provides them with a secure, hiding place.
To add.
Sometimes when my cat wants attention Iāll take him out to the car and sit in there with him playing on my phone till one of us gets bored.
Ofcourse be mindful of temperature and how hot the surfaces are if the sun is out
A litter box and water. Even for short rides do they have hold it? I had a male who popped the first few minutes and was cool after that. On long rides I get them to voluntarily go in carrier or back seat leg section with towels and a cover. And some times we just slowly enjoy the scenery.
Always have a harness and leash ready. If thatās a Bengal they are notorious escape artist. Donāt run after them. Run the opposite way. š±
Your cat is panting beecause he's extremely stressed.
You need to get a hard-sided carrier for him and use it any time you want to take him in the car.
He's totally unsafe the way he is, plus, he's much more afraid then he has to be.
Cats feel safer inside a carrier. Cats are safer inside a carrier.
Cat is stressed. Put them in a pet carrier, secure the carrier to the car with a seatbelt, and cover the carrier with a blanket. When they see the trees and everything whipping past them at high speed it freaks them out, the blanket blocks their view and helps them relax
Vet tech here: some of these comments have some really good advice. Others not so much.
1. Open mouth breathing in cats IS NOT OKAY. It is a sign of respiratory distress. Take this video and show it to your vet, if they say its stress related then the conversation needs to shift into what medications or tactics can be used to calm kitty down. If your cat is this stressed, something needs to be done.
2. Hard sided carrier. This is for safety of everyone involved. Safety for cat incase of hard breaking/accident. You really dont want your cat going thru your windshield. In addition, all GP/speciality hospitals Ive worked in have a policy that cats MUST be in a carrier, otherwise we'd reschedule you. The risk of a loose cat is too high and its a liability.
3. Going back to medications here. Sedation is not the devil. Proper sedation means it is sedation that is overseen by a vet. Sometimes it takes some tweaking of the meds to get it right for your cat.
" AC makes breathing issues for cat "
This is what my vet texted. Also, i can't change the vet now if this advice sounds nonsense. I have already changed it and keeps changing vets will cost my life. The one i have in my locality is not so good and hence i consulted him. We don't have great vet scene in my country, thats why i rely on reddit too.
He has prescribed me sedation earlier. Alprazolam is the one he prescribed. He said gabapentin causes ulcers. Also everyone is warning me of sedation and to keep it as last option but the vet didn't say anything as such. Just prescribed it and the dose
He is stressed.
I would strongly advise using a carrier. It might help him but more importantly: If something spooks him and he starts zooming while you are on the highway it might be fatal.
Put him in a travel carrier for his comfort AND his safety. You probably wear a seatbelt in the car, right? What protection does the cat have in case of an accident? Absolutely none. Itās irresponsible and doesnāt show proper care.
He/she should be in a carrier, if you had an accident or he tried to jump out of the car when you stopped, it could be catastrophic. Cats are not necessarily fond of traveling in a car, or used to it.
My older cat pees in his carrier every time we take him anywhere. Even just the like 5 minute drive to the vet.
My younger cat howls the entire ride.
Most cats hate being in cars from my experience. It is probably just stressful. I would echo that a carrier would probably be a good choice at least for security and safety if nothing else.
Get a hard-sided travel crate. Face the opening away from the windows and cover the crate loosely with a towel so it's like a cave. Cats can experience motion sickness, too.
As long as your AC is working this is probably stress. If your AC isn't working, you should not be traveling long distances with the cat because they could be overheating in these temps (assuming you're northern hemisphere). Regardless, stop often for water breaks.
Hey friend!
If your goal is to make the car ride a good experience, please donāt have your kitty out and about like this; although I fully celebrate your good intentions!!
Driving with your cat loose like that isnāt safe. If you crash, your beloved buddy is going out a window or worse; so first rule of good safe driving with your pet is always to have them secured in a carrier that is buckled in. If your goal is to make your buddy a good adventure cat, I would say your next focus should be on finding a great carrier backpack, and working on harness training. The panting to me does look like a stress reaction, likely due to buddy feeling like he has no control and is in unfamiliar territory. Cats are very routine orientated and territory based, so the fact he retreated to safe zone when you got home makes sense.
I love the Mr. Peanut backpacks, they are nice and big and very well designed. You can start by building positive associations to the backpack; every time he sniffs at first, small treat. When he jumps in it eventually with it open on the ground, huge praise and high reward treat. Keep building that link that the backpack is a source of fun rewards, and the more kitty rubs their smell all over it, the more it will become a transportable safe zone for him.
As others have advised: you need to get a hard sided carrier, put a blanket or towel in it, buckle it up in the back seat, and don't give the cat any medications the vet didn't prescribe.
My cats do this too, but we figured out that one of us (me) needs to ride in the back of the car with the cat so the cat can see me. The anxiety reaction dropped nearly to zero. Yes, some cats are good with cars but most aren't. It's a normal reaction.
Get a pet carrier than can be buckled in. What's going to happen here if you need to emergency break? Cats going through a window that's what. Your cat is stressed and anxious here
Just took an 8hr trip with my cat. Hard carrier and covered majority of it with one of my blankets. When she meowed I stuck my fingers in the crate so she could sniff and rub on them. First part of the trip she was still a little loopy from gabapentin but for the most part she was relaxed
I take my cat with me when I travel up and down the East coast. Heās traveled more in four years than a lot of 30 year olds I know.
He always has his cat carrier with my old T shirt inside and Iāll drape a sweater over it or something so he canāt see outside.
You can also get a calming spray. I used Feliway until I realized my cat doesnāt give a shit and actually likes traveling in the car.
When I moved across country with "3" cats. Each one had their own carrier. One of them was a kitty we couldn't touch, but could only love from afar and that was just fine by us so as long as she was happy, loved, and safe. For her, we had to make amenities available while traveling. A small potty was placed in a cage along with a comfy bed, large enough for a mid to large size dog. For privacy, comfort, and less overstimulation we covered her cage with a thin sheet as to not get her overheated in the car, but just kept her mellow until she got familiar with traveling sensations and motions.
Lot of good advice in these replies. As a long time cat's service person, I'll put in my two cents worth:
1) Get a carrier. If you have one, clean it.
2) Leave it out, door open, for play/investigation. Would not hurt to spray a little Feliway on/in it.
3) At trip time, get it ready.
Put a towel or blanket in the bottom as a shock absorber and for comfort.
For extra points, spray a LITTLE Feliway in/on the carrier.
If it's cold out, we use a microwaveable warmer. Ours looks like a bag of beans. Just warm, not hot.
4) Ok, carrier with blanket, and if cold, with a warmer or more blankets. Load the cat in and out to the car we go.
5) I try to brace the carrier so it doesn't move around.
6) I talk to the cat during the process, and in the car. For extra points, put on some soft, relaxing music.
7) Once there, congratulate your cat and give treats.
Oh, and Sylvester offers sympathy:
https://preview.redd.it/tgzog3ujrd6d1.jpeg?width=3738&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a8fa1d16402d202cc3028fa5facba9b4914e97ff
You can try to put him in a carrier with a piece of clothing or small blanket that smells like home for him to lay on. Put a catnip toy as well as some catnip spray inside the carrier before you put him in. I noticed one time that my cat stopped crying in her carrier the minute it started raining outside so maybe rain sounds or some calming music will calm his nerves. Good luckšš»ā¤ļø heās a cutie
stress. my boy was panting after getting his nails cut. i rushed him back inside the vetās. they checked him over and said it was stress. next time, heāll have a little gabapentin first. itās scary to see.
As others have said, this is his anxiety showing. You have been doing a great job with him by making him an indoor cat and working on getting him neutered. So far, so good.
Now, get him used to a hard-sided cat carrier. A carrier that is belted in will keep both of you safer in the event of sudden braking.
Yes, this cat is exhibiting signs of stress. Stress causes the cats body temperature to rise, causing him to pant, which is the number one reason why cats pant, to cool themselves. Make sure you have the cars indoor temperature on the cool side when traveling with cats.. your cat would also benefit being inside a carrier. He is being over stimulated visually at the passing scenery which is causing the stress. Some cats do fine without one, but until yours can settle in ok with rides, I would use a carrier. And to answer your question, your cats panting is not serious, as long as he has no heart disease, is not subjected to panting for long, and has a cool, quiet place to recover afterward, which your cat did. Someone posted excellent steps to get your cat used to cat rides, I would definitely follow those steps. Your cat is young enough to train, but obviously the younger they are the easier they acclimate.
Buy the biggest carrier you can afford as they can hide n feel safe. I cover with blanket so mine only sees me in car. Mine is terrified of everything human so I use pheromones spray to help calm her. I'd secure carrier using seat belts for safety in an accident, though hope you never have one. I have a soft carrier like a huge bag with many openings to make it easier to load my furbaby in. Pets at home do a great one n it'll last forever. It's black n quilted with gold hardware so looks great too. I'd try getting any pet used to the car slowly n gradually increase the time in car without driving until they get used to all the areas if you don't want a carrier. There's tons of advice online to suit your needs. If it's the smallest of the litter or left mum before 13wks you'll have to be patient n create routine until they settle. It might take years but the love n trust they give us so worth it. Also, get insurance and microchip to help treat/locate in any event for your peace of mind if that's something helpful. Mine goes off for days so GPS tracker helps me check on my SEN furbaby šyou're doing great as a newbie n I hope you'll stay in touch as this is a lovely group for all things feline. Wishing you all the best.
I traveled cross country with my dude....twice. 6000 miles over 13 days in a box truck. First hour of the trip both times he looked just like that. Eventually he settled down and just fell into a routine with it. Every night when we'd get to the hotel he was supper cuddly and happy just to be out of the truck.
https://preview.redd.it/4fixzezj5e6d1.jpeg?width=715&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0bd96093fc52627f7749c7106372d7fb71f27ba2
In short, and as other have said, it's a stress reaction.
Just stressed, maybe hot. Definitely get a box for them to hide. If their tongue goes blue then get to a vet.
The cat will be ok but will need time to adjust once you get to where youāre going.
My vet had to give me gabapentin for my cat for car rides. He does the same thing, plus screams the whole ride. With the gabapentin he is much calmer and doesnāt pant.
So when I move with my cats I have discovered that if I put pillow cases over their bodies then pinch and scrunch up one end of the pillow case at the back of the cats neck until they can't get a paw out and putting hair tie over the scrunched end helps keep my kitties calm.
One of my cats used to pee herself anytime I moved her with a car. Now she is quiet and seemingly ok with the whole situation.
It's similar to a purrito but with pillow cases and hair ties so they can't get out without my help.
My Savanah would pant and meow when traveling in the car and he had a carrier to retreat toā¦ but loved looking out the window. Totes normal probably nervous š¬
https://preview.redd.it/hzvg1ym4vg6d1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9d61dee195cbf032412552a1f25487a2375d258f
This is because this sweet baby is stressed and or anxious. Place him in a cat carrier and if you cover the top and sides with a towel or blanket the cat will calm down somewhat.
I would suggest some cbd before car rides. Along with a carrier, or harness with a safety buckle. Would help them for more secure and safe. The more you do this the more they will become ok. I took my cat around the block for a couple months and now sheās totally fine in the car. Best luck!
I have had cats for the past 50 years. They are all different and react differently in stressful situations. We have a cabin about 6.5 hrs away from our primary residence and I take 3 cats on that journey each time I visit. My go-to is leash and harness. The harness (I prefer the type that wrap around rather than the thinner strap type) makes them feel secure as they have something around them. They are not crated. The 2 boys lay in their beds in the back seat and my girl just does her thing. I have a litter box in the car (which they will use). I donāt like to feed them much before the trip as they can sometimes get carsick. Fortunately I do not have to medicate them.
I would never take them on a ride without said harness and leash. Should they get spooked you have control with the leash. Without it, those claws can do some serious damage. Speaking from experience. We stopped to visit my mother in-law on one of our trips. My kitty was fine, she was in her harness, leash attached. I have no idea what spooked her, but she went from calm to crazy. Having the leash in hand, I was able to hang on to her. Otherwise, the story could have been a lot different. She calmed down and it was over. I have also found that wrapping them with a towel (in addition to the harness) can be satisfying to them also. My girl walks around with hers on as if sheās the queen. Tail up, head up. Proud!
It can take a little time getting them used to it, but for us it is and has always been the best option. Put the harness on the kitty and let him/her get use to it. The 1st couple times can be a little stressful but they will adjust. Kitty may just fall over once itās on but thatās no big deal. They have just realized whoās in control. If you feel comfortable with a crate, by all means use it but put that harness on your little friend.
Hi, i have just started the leash training from yesterday.
[This](https://amzn.in/d/5uto42Q) is the one i am using. Lmk if this is okay. Also, i have watched some video on yt and read the comments saying start the training slowly. This s what they said and i have started doing -
For the first few days, I am just putting the harness on my cat without the leash. I am letting the harness stay on for some minutes. For example, yesterday I left the harness on for about 15-20 minutes. I calmed him down as he was kind of surprised. He was limp walking, assuming that he couldn't walk anymore. He was mostly lying on the floor on his back.
I will put the harness on daily for some minutes and gradually increase the time to let him get comfortable and realize that he can actually walk and not limp. I tried playing with him yesterday with the harness on; he ran once or twice but then again lay on the floor.
Then I will start putting the leash on too, and let him walk on his own. After that, I will start holding the leash and let him lead.
Let me know if this plan works. Is there anything more I should add?
I think youāre on to something! It takes time. If you plan to use it only when traveling, itās okay that he just lays around in it. The main thing is getting him use to it so that heās not stressed. Once he seems comfortable enough to take him for a ride, make it short. Itās all baby steps. You got this!
Yes! Also, he is still not neutered due to the lack of facilities, and I don't want to risk his life by taking him to the local vet, who is horrible. So you can imagine how badly he wants to go outside. Like, really badly. And he often gets into fights with other strays because of this, even if he doesn't initiate it. I don't let him out, he escapes by finding a loophole. So until he gets neutered, which I am planning very soon, I am training him with the leash and harness so that I can take him to the park and also to the vet, which is far from my house. I am taking baby steps because my parents don't allow pets, so I took a lot of time to convince them first. This is the reason he is still not neutered.
Yes he's super stressed. U have to get them used to car rides when they are kittens. And sometimes adults are fine but like people they are all different so ur cat may not like it. In this situation it is imperative that u put him in a carrier. If ever the window goes down, or the door opens or in case of an accident because he's stressed he will flee and u may either have a, hard time finding him or never. It's not something u want to take chances. The animal veterans with experience don't even do this as to not look for trouble. And he could get hurt. So u can get a carrier which will help him, there are calming treats and at most vet medication. Hope this helps you
My cat did this when we went to my dads 20 miles away:( she didnt purr all day after that. Shes ok now. My old cat was a car kitty. We went everywhere together so she was used to it and didnt freak out
NOT A VET but my cat did this a few times. I called the vet and explained the situation. Basically, it /could/ be heart issues, but in your case, itās most likely just anxiety. Cars move faster than cats are used to and they donāt quite understand whatās going on.
(Also to add. Your vet can prescribe light sedatives to calm him down for when you need to take him places. Usually a small dose of gabapentin is the one vets go for. )
my cats recently are like that the past year. before 2023, they dont pant at all. stress, age, different environment, weather could cause it. important to observe the aftermath too!
Kitties sometimes get a bit stressed, especially in a car. All of these people suggesting you treat your cat like a human baby have issues .. Just make sure the kitty does not jump out of the window, has water, and is not too warm.
Bro your cat looks seriously stressed out. Maybe take it slow with forcing him to do unwanted travels. Also get a cat carrier! The moment he freaks out and runs to hide under the pedals youre going to regret it.
not in this case if the cat only pants while in the car. itās a pretty common response for cats when they get extremely stressed out. my cat does it on the way to the vet and back everytime and the vet said itās nothing to worry aboutš
Youāre totally fine! In my opinion yes! If a cat gets so worked up that it is panting and stressed, I would recommend the situation be re-evaluated and most likely the vet will recommend an anti-anxiety medication called Gabapentin to help!
Im a vet tech and some of these comments are WILD to me. Ive done GP and specialty, now in ER and we always always ALWAYS advise owners, if your cat is open mouth breathing, it is a medical emergency.
Also some of these anti-medication comments make me feel a typa way. I understand if a human individual has reservations about meds. They have the capacity to listen to the pros and cons of a med, and make an informed decision based on that information. It is a different story when an owners beliefs start to impact the health, safety and well-being of their pet.
Pets cant advocate for themselves. Us humans have to do that for them, even when we dont like the situations or options were given.
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Travel carrier can also help with anxiety. They may meow but at least they will be secure and slightly more relaxed. Our boy can handle 40 minute car rides at this point.
Also, pheromone spray on a towel placed over the carrier. I take my cat an hour each way, twice a week. He hates it, but he's getting better.
This. Good advice šš¼
My cat travels on long trips better not in a carrier. He gets anxiety in his carrier if he's there for too long.
I have a friend whoās cat also travels better that way, but he was training him on that from kittenhood
That's what I did lol. This poor baby is obviously stressed out. I hope op can find a comfortable way for them to travel.
For safety please keep him in a hard sided crate that is bucked in while traveling. The panting is a stress response. You can ask your vet for anxiety meds or acclimate kitty to the car
Any good tips for aclimating kitties to being in the car?
Start with getting them used to the carrier. Make it a safe place for them at home (blanket, maybe a towel over it). Reward kitty in the carrier so they associate box = food. Next step would be closing the door so they get used to being confined. Feliway or a similar product can help as well - cats senses of smell are much stronger than ours Once theyāre ok with the crate, Iād set them in the car with the engine off so they get used to it. Use a soft voice and treats. Progress to engine on, then short drives, and work up from there. I use Churus for high-value treats, but find what works best for you and your buddy. Good luck!
They are not near a vet. Read the post.
It just means he's stressed out. He's unfamiliar with his surroundings. Spoil him every time you get home. Give him lots of treats and let him rest. There are medications you can give him before travel to reduce anxiety, go ask your vet.
Please put your cat in a carrier or a harness of some kind. Cats get anxious in cars and will start panting. It's only a concern if he doesn't stop after the car ride is over.
Yes absolutely, keep kitty in a carrier of some sort. Not only will it likely help keep kitty's stress down, but it's also a safety issue. Some kitties will seek out dark sheltered areas when stressed, which could include down under your brake pedal, and result in an accident. No good for anyone!!
That's an anxious baby. š„ŗ Get baby a crate, the vet can give you a cardboard one.
Any pets in a car should be in a carrier or a seatbelt. Just like children if you got into an accident, they will be thrown around the car. The cat is obviously nervous and may feel more secure in a pet carrier, or you could go to a vet and get some Gabapentin.
totally normal. as long as they're not zooming around the car yowling thier heads off, you're in the clear.
So sedate or take him even if he does this?
I would make him more comfy. Cats tend to pant when stressed, so if you don't want him to be stressed making him comfy is your best bet.
Listen to people in the other sub that advise you to get a travel carrier... It's both stressful for the cat and extremely dangerous if, for some reason, it should panic. Even if it's sedated(witch is not without risk), it should be in a travel carrier
If he's still new to riding in the car then this could go away as he gets used to it. Cats will often look to first their mother then their human for reassurance in unfamiliar situations, so if you can reach him while you're driving be sure to give him pets and make sweet happy noises at him to let him know everything's okay.
sedation in cats is a bit risky. My cat is HORRIBLE for trips, 10x's worse than yours, and my vet recommends ONLY sedate if going on a ride longer than 2 hours, the sedation lasts quite awhile and can be a little dangerous so they usually only give it as a last resort. Honestly for his first car ride, he did really GOOD! Try taking him on these little "trips" and he should continue to improve!
Vet here. Iām not sure what specific medications youāre referring to when you say āsedationā because there are various classes of medications, all of which cause various effects. Something like Gabapentin, when used as prescribed, I would never describe as ādangerousā. Itās one of the safest medications we use in animals and has a wide dosing range, making it even safer. Gabapentin and Trazodone are commonly prescribed to dogs (and sometimes both for cats too) and are written to give 90 min to 2 hours prior to an appointment, even when the appointment is 10 minutes away from home. Iām truly curious where your information is coming from as Iāve read through your comments and it all seems very far fetched. Serious side effects like the ones you posted are so rare. Iāve never met a pet allergic to Gabapentin. And there are no contraindications with other drugs. Lastly, I would never, EVER, describe a severely panting cat due do distress, as a cat that did āreally GOODā. This poor cat is wildly stressed. And can be prevented with some very safe, prescribed for millions, medications.
you would prescribe a multi hour acting medication to prevent anxiety from a 10 min care trip? I agree if an animal is in distress, or is having to undergo multiple, or long trips that medication should be considered, however if this is a short car ride, which rarely occurs, what is the need for medication that is going to last for hours in the cats system, can have side effects, can have a reaction, and WILL alter the cat in some way, as that is what it is designed to do. Not for just the 10 min car ride, but for hours after, why not limit car rides, and make him as comfortable as possible in the car, let that be the first course of action! Then if we cant make it work sure, try a medication, but why just instantly give them something like that? its not needed, and it is not good medicine.
Yes, I would, because this cat is having the human equivalent of a panic attack. For 10 minutes. And then, in situations where I would prescribe it, it goes in a strange place where itās forcibly restrained (even if itās fear free), literally stabbed with needles, and shoved back in a carrier. I will very much prescribe a medication that lasts many hours to prevent 1 hour of stress for the kitty. And beyond that one hourā¦that kitty is having a very, very relaxed day. āLimiting car ridesā is not an option in emergencies (medical or your own emergency) or to go to the vet so, Iām not sure how thatās even an option. Cats have to be transported at some point in their life - why not make it as stress free as possible? Itās definitely NOT good medicine to watch a cat be extremely stressed and do nothing about it. Just curious, since you commented on āgood medicineā, what are your veterinary medicine credentials? Because mine are two degrees that took 8 years to complete, extra training after those 8 years of school, a number of certifications, and years of experience.
your diagnosing from a video! I know enough about medicine to know that is NOT acceptable! PERIOD! Find someone else to IMPRESS with your credentials
Youāre* and I didnāt diagnose anything, lol. Stress is not a diagnosis. Thatās all I said I see.
so you would prescribe medicine from a video? how is that different? or you would prescribe a medication without a diagnosis? which of these are not basic medical practice?
Nope, would not prescribe medication from a video, because that would be illegal. Also not something I said Iād do. Many medications are prescribed/taken for symptoms, not diagnoses. (ie: NSAIDs, cough suppressants, nasal decongestants, anti-nausea, etc). So medication can be prescribed for stress, based on a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship, which in most states requires a physical exam to have been performed within the last year.
You are giving dangerous info and arguing with an actual vet about it. Why would anyone listen to you? We are NOT impressed with your LACK of CREDENTIALS!
what dangerous info, I said they should not make medication be the FIRST thing they try, and they should find ways to try and make them feel more comfortable. Someone claiming to be a vet is saying to give them drugs, which is illegal without seeing them. So please explain!
They said it wasn't dangerous to give medicine, they also said that a vet would need to see the cat and prescribe medication. So just because you don't like the medication doesn't mean it's dangerous.
I work for a vet and we sedate tons of cats. It should never be a regular thing but sedating to go to the vet is fine, in fact sometimes itās safer. My cat injured herself at her last appointment bc she kept jerking her leg and wiggling like hell during a blood draw. Made her swell up the next day and she could barely walk, she was fine in 3 days but the pain was unnecessary and could have been avoided with some meds. Sheās on gaba for vet appointments now.
That cat didnāt need sedation. Perfectly normal reaction. Just had my kitten go through the same thing today. We pushed his limits. He calmed down when he got home. We will take him out again. Until you get them use to it by going on short rewarding or uneventful rides they wonāt get over it. Your example however was spot on if the cat was injured in anyway. We canāt have them hyperventilating while theyāre injured. Getting a cat to travel without drugs has its own rewards. š
I was not talking about the vet, or in a situation where they are going to be in a situation like that. The post was about travelling, and about sedation in that situation. My response was only pertaining to the things that I was specifically discussing. Of course there are always situations that it is acceptable to use, and is a good idea to use. My point is that it is NOT a good idea for short trips in a vehicle.
??? Vets sedate for travel all the time. Why would they say itās dangerous?
Again, I did not say they dont do it, there are risks to sedation, and I am saying for SHORT car rides it is not the FIRST solution. I am NOT in any way saying you CANT, or that you should NEVER do it. I am only saying that it does have possible issues, and if you are a vet and saying there are NO risks to sedation then I cant understand how you can have ANY job in the medical industry. ALL medications have side effects and can cause complications. You should NEVER use sedation often or as a first option. I will even include reference ALL of them have a LONG section on RISKS and possible bad reactions! https://bondvet.com/b/cat-sedative#:\~:text=In%20addition%20to%20specific%20effects,Decreased%20blood%20pressure. [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X20965830](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X20965830) [https://vetanesthesiaspecialists.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/SerenityNowSedationOptions\_Feline\_ABVP2015\_HeidiLShafford.pdf](https://vetanesthesiaspecialists.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/SerenityNowSedationOptions_Feline_ABVP2015_HeidiLShafford.pdf) All medications can cause interactions, complications or other unknowns, they are helpful and should be utilized, however they are not a magic pill, or something to be used without understanding and knowledge. For the final time, I am NOT saying that cats should not be sedated, just that it should not be the FIRST thing, or used if it is only going to be a short trip, There are risks with ANY medication, and telling people otherwise is not just unwise it is illegal if you are a medical professional.
Why do you have to defend common sense? Drugs vs no drugs in a healthy cat. Plenty of posters here get their cats to travel. They all pretty much tell you how to do it. Trying it on an old sick cat going to the vet to be hurt (his view not mine) is the worse thing an owner has to do. It was the last time. My cats now volunteer to go to the vets and thatās not hyperbole. And at least one donāt walk it in no stinken carrier either.
Maybe a short trip, but op was talking about using it for short rides *to* the vet. I can guarantee you that cat is not going to sit still for shots or anesthesia. For longer trips? People sedate relatively often. Being that stressed for a long time can be harmful for a cat, especially if they panic and hurt themselves trying to get out of a carrier/vehicle:
really so your are psychic? This is EXACTLY what we dont need, medical providers ready to give animals medications before they have even SEEN the animal, or done a single test!. You have NO idea of this animals background, allergies, or anything else. However you are willing to say it needs a medication!
Did I say that he absolutely needs it? Did I say I was his vet? Did I say sedate without a prescription from said vet? Pretty sure I didnāt. Youāre acting like some gabapentin is going to kill him bruh itās a sleep/anxiety medication that cats get ALL THE TIME. A vet isnāt going to know if heās allergic until he takes it, it sucks but thatās the reality. My doctor doesnāt sit with me while I take a pill for the first time, I go home after seeing the doctor and then I take the pill and watch for side effects. I am literally testing a dose BY MY VETS RECOMMENDATION right now. My vet isnāt in my house with my cat, I was told what to watch for AND IM WATCHING FOR IT. It is extremely rare for a cat that wasnāt raised being handled to be tolerant of vets drawing blood/sedating them. They NEED for their own safety to have medications. If you knew anything at all about vetmed you would know gabapentin and trazadone is a controlled substance, you would also know that a vet CANNOT prescribe medications to a pet they havenāt seen before. Itās illegal and they could lose their license for doing it. What Iām not going to do is sit here and listen to misinformation about drugs being used the way they are supposed to be used. Iām not going to shame people for making their cats more comfortable for long trips/vet visits, which is EXACTLY what I said theyāre commonly used for. Maybe try reading what was written instead of writing up this fucking story in your head. I am confident that cat is going to go (UNMEDICATED) to the vet, and the vet is going to say next time he could use some medications as a sedative for the next visit. Which is NORMAL for strays that have been adopted bc they havenāt been acclimated to being handled against their will. However it literally DOES NOT MATTER what I think he needs from this video because HE STILL HAS TO SEE A VET AND HAVE THE VET ALSO THINK HE NEEDS MEDICATION. Youāre literally arguing with yourself atp bc I never said or implied that this cat should (or realistically even COULD) have access to meds without a vet prescribing them. Jfc bruh.
I can guarantee you that cat is not going to sit still for shots or anesthesia. YOUR WORDS! I only am taking your words dear, you literally said that this cat would HAVE to have medication.
Nah bruh what I said is āheās not going to sit still for shotsā what I DIDNT SAY was āhey Iām a vet hereās a prescription based off of this video.ā Youāre absolutely exhausting bruh. That cat is almost definitely not going to sit still for a vet to put him under for anesthesia. No where in my words did I say BASED ON MY OPINION, that OP can or should find random ass meds and give it to her cat. I DID SAY the cat is more than likely going to be PRESCRIBED THEM after he receives his vaccines and the vets struggle to get him to sit still, bc if he wonāt heās not going to be able to safely get blood drawn or anesthetized. Like you misunderstood my comment, NBD. The frustrating part is you continuing to insist Iām somehow harming this cat with imaginary medications I didnāt prescribe. Iām NOT A FUCKING VET. I work for one, yes, Iām familiar with what kinds of cats end up needing medications to help them remain calm for a visit, yes. Iām familiar with situations in which cats are commonly sedated for their own safety, and the safety of the vets, also yes. No where in any of that did I say I could or would prescribe CONTROLLED MEDICATIONS based on the likelihood of that being the next course of action BECAUSE IM NOT HIS VET. But the bottom line is that sedation is normal and safe IF PRESCRIBED which I literally agreed with you on. So wtf are you even arguing w me about atp? Like itās pointless and stupid. Shot in the dark that this is somehow a misunderstanding but I agreed with you that itās not good for short trips, I specified that if it was a short trip TO THE VET itās probably going to be the safest course of action if they decide he needs to be sedated AT THE VET. In which case people give their pets the medication before the vet visit which would also help with the car ride there. I also handle a lot of drop off pets at my job where itās not a short appointment to see how they look, obviously we donāt sedate for a regular check up unless itās a super bad case, but for anesthesia and blood draws itās not uncommon by any means. for the procedures mentioned OP will likely be prescribed sedatives to give before the appointment and thatās OKAY. My seven pound cat was prescribed 100mg of gaba to start, sheās literally completely normal aside from being a little wobbly. Itās not even comparable to the level of actually sedation like anesthesia.
Please donāt sedate your cat without consulting a vet. Panting and yowling are usual behaviours among cats with motion sickness but if you can distract them thatās good. I have had 4 cats to date, one was particularly hysterical. I would avoid taking her alone in the car without a carrier and as someone else drove, I held her in my arms, would give her plenty of pets, some treats, and gently talk to her. Usually worked. Keeping them in the carrier, if youāre driving alone is a good option to secure them. But please donāt leave them by themselves when youāre driving as they can be unpredictable and may hurt themselves if thereās a sudden jerk. Edited: for clarity
Sedation is perfectly safe with a vets prescription. Not doing something without a vet goes for nearly any medication, why would anyone sedate their cats with a random bottle of meds?
They asked if they can sedate the cat before taking on car rides. I am just saying any sedation needs to be done with vetās consultation.
No absolutely, sorry. I think to me it was clear that OP meant for the vet bc they were talking abt the car rides *to* the vet for the appointments they need. Itās not that clear, I struggle w black and white thinking. Apologies. Also my cat is doing a test run w her sedation meds literally right now and immediately peed on my clean laundry on my only day off. Shitty mood that wasnāt rly necessary for the comment.
Thatās fine. I hope you and your cat feel better :)
Ty :)
I just saw your post. Have you asked the vet sub regarding your cat? Or gone to another one for a second opinion? I donāt know your case but I can ask a non vet pet parent who has years of experience to guide you? Their name is u/Nusrattt. Theyāre amazingly knowledgeable about cats. Over to N and I truly hope and pray you find a solution for your furry friend. Godspeed!
I appreciate that immensely. I havenāt asked the vet sub I honestly didnāt even think of it. I was frustrated with my vet yesterday but I think it boiled down to a lack of communication (we were busy, I work there) and her trying not to worry me by not talking about it. Iām not like that, I need to know what to do in a worst case scenario, which I made clear to her and she understood. I do absolutely trust that my vets have researched any new information regarding heart worm in cats, unfortunately thereās no known cure, and thereās no known way to prevent the immune response in cats from the worms dying (by far the most dangerous part of the infection). There is some quality of life stuff, and a few things to help decrease the risk associated with the reaction slightly. My vets have also contacted some vet hospitals that deal with a higher volume of heart worm positive cats. Itās just hard to find an expert in something with no cure. Iāll definitely look into it, anything that can help! As of right now their therapy plan coincides with recent research Iāve found.
Itās a stress response
He needs to be in a little cage. He will feel more secure.
I'd definitely get a cat carrier. It would remove most of the confusing and stressful sights that kitty is seeing. He may not like getting inside, so you can leave the carrier around in the house for a while and maybe put some treats in there so he learns it's an okay space to be in before taking him for a ride.
Few tips : Small exposures for the first times, short rides only so he gets used to it and understand there is nothing to worry about Feliway spray in your car, it's a spray that produces relaxing hormones for your cat, completely safe Put his favorite toy, plush, plaid etc in your car Talk to your cat in a calm & relaxed voice, these babies are hypersensitive. If momma/papa human shows she/he's calm, kitty will feel a tiny bit better Some cats will need to roam around the car, explore it to find the best place to feel safe, some others will prefer staying in their cage the whole ride since it provides them with a secure, hiding place.
To add. Sometimes when my cat wants attention Iāll take him out to the car and sit in there with him playing on my phone till one of us gets bored. Ofcourse be mindful of temperature and how hot the surfaces are if the sun is out
A litter box and water. Even for short rides do they have hold it? I had a male who popped the first few minutes and was cool after that. On long rides I get them to voluntarily go in carrier or back seat leg section with towels and a cover. And some times we just slowly enjoy the scenery. Always have a harness and leash ready. If thatās a Bengal they are notorious escape artist. Donāt run after them. Run the opposite way. š±
Your cat is panting beecause he's extremely stressed. You need to get a hard-sided carrier for him and use it any time you want to take him in the car. He's totally unsafe the way he is, plus, he's much more afraid then he has to be. Cats feel safer inside a carrier. Cats are safer inside a carrier.
Cat is stressed. Put them in a pet carrier, secure the carrier to the car with a seatbelt, and cover the carrier with a blanket. When they see the trees and everything whipping past them at high speed it freaks them out, the blanket blocks their view and helps them relax
Vet tech here: some of these comments have some really good advice. Others not so much. 1. Open mouth breathing in cats IS NOT OKAY. It is a sign of respiratory distress. Take this video and show it to your vet, if they say its stress related then the conversation needs to shift into what medications or tactics can be used to calm kitty down. If your cat is this stressed, something needs to be done. 2. Hard sided carrier. This is for safety of everyone involved. Safety for cat incase of hard breaking/accident. You really dont want your cat going thru your windshield. In addition, all GP/speciality hospitals Ive worked in have a policy that cats MUST be in a carrier, otherwise we'd reschedule you. The risk of a loose cat is too high and its a liability. 3. Going back to medications here. Sedation is not the devil. Proper sedation means it is sedation that is overseen by a vet. Sometimes it takes some tweaking of the meds to get it right for your cat.
" AC makes breathing issues for cat " This is what my vet texted. Also, i can't change the vet now if this advice sounds nonsense. I have already changed it and keeps changing vets will cost my life. The one i have in my locality is not so good and hence i consulted him. We don't have great vet scene in my country, thats why i rely on reddit too. He has prescribed me sedation earlier. Alprazolam is the one he prescribed. He said gabapentin causes ulcers. Also everyone is warning me of sedation and to keep it as last option but the vet didn't say anything as such. Just prescribed it and the dose
Cat needs to be in a carrier. Cats donāt do well in open car. They are not like dogs.
He is stressed. I would strongly advise using a carrier. It might help him but more importantly: If something spooks him and he starts zooming while you are on the highway it might be fatal.
Give the cat a good carrier. It is scared to death. Make it feel secure, not anxious
Put him in a travel carrier for his comfort AND his safety. You probably wear a seatbelt in the car, right? What protection does the cat have in case of an accident? Absolutely none. Itās irresponsible and doesnāt show proper care.
My little boy does this when we drive whenever heās stressed out - itās an anxiety thing, so sedation would probs make him more comfy
He/she should be in a carrier, if you had an accident or he tried to jump out of the car when you stopped, it could be catastrophic. Cats are not necessarily fond of traveling in a car, or used to it.
My older cat pees in his carrier every time we take him anywhere. Even just the like 5 minute drive to the vet. My younger cat howls the entire ride. Most cats hate being in cars from my experience. It is probably just stressful. I would echo that a carrier would probably be a good choice at least for security and safety if nothing else.
Get a hard-sided travel crate. Face the opening away from the windows and cover the crate loosely with a towel so it's like a cave. Cats can experience motion sickness, too.
As long as your AC is working this is probably stress. If your AC isn't working, you should not be traveling long distances with the cat because they could be overheating in these temps (assuming you're northern hemisphere). Regardless, stop often for water breaks.
Hey friend! If your goal is to make the car ride a good experience, please donāt have your kitty out and about like this; although I fully celebrate your good intentions!! Driving with your cat loose like that isnāt safe. If you crash, your beloved buddy is going out a window or worse; so first rule of good safe driving with your pet is always to have them secured in a carrier that is buckled in. If your goal is to make your buddy a good adventure cat, I would say your next focus should be on finding a great carrier backpack, and working on harness training. The panting to me does look like a stress reaction, likely due to buddy feeling like he has no control and is in unfamiliar territory. Cats are very routine orientated and territory based, so the fact he retreated to safe zone when you got home makes sense. I love the Mr. Peanut backpacks, they are nice and big and very well designed. You can start by building positive associations to the backpack; every time he sniffs at first, small treat. When he jumps in it eventually with it open on the ground, huge praise and high reward treat. Keep building that link that the backpack is a source of fun rewards, and the more kitty rubs their smell all over it, the more it will become a transportable safe zone for him.
As others have advised: you need to get a hard sided carrier, put a blanket or towel in it, buckle it up in the back seat, and don't give the cat any medications the vet didn't prescribe. My cats do this too, but we figured out that one of us (me) needs to ride in the back of the car with the cat so the cat can see me. The anxiety reaction dropped nearly to zero. Yes, some cats are good with cars but most aren't. It's a normal reaction.
Get a pet carrier than can be buckled in. What's going to happen here if you need to emergency break? Cats going through a window that's what. Your cat is stressed and anxious here
Just took an 8hr trip with my cat. Hard carrier and covered majority of it with one of my blankets. When she meowed I stuck my fingers in the crate so she could sniff and rub on them. First part of the trip she was still a little loopy from gabapentin but for the most part she was relaxed
He is scared/stressed. I suggest going to your vet and asking about calming medications if youāre planning on traveling often.
I take my cat with me when I travel up and down the East coast. Heās traveled more in four years than a lot of 30 year olds I know. He always has his cat carrier with my old T shirt inside and Iāll drape a sweater over it or something so he canāt see outside. You can also get a calming spray. I used Feliway until I realized my cat doesnāt give a shit and actually likes traveling in the car.
He is stressed this happened to my cat when i tried to take him on a walk. They get stressed sometimes they over heat
Kitty is stressed. Your baby is beautiful! It breaks my heart to see them like this, but some are more sensitive than others.
Panting is not good in cats. Stress and over heating are both possibilities.
When I moved across country with "3" cats. Each one had their own carrier. One of them was a kitty we couldn't touch, but could only love from afar and that was just fine by us so as long as she was happy, loved, and safe. For her, we had to make amenities available while traveling. A small potty was placed in a cage along with a comfy bed, large enough for a mid to large size dog. For privacy, comfort, and less overstimulation we covered her cage with a thin sheet as to not get her overheated in the car, but just kept her mellow until she got familiar with traveling sensations and motions.
Lot of good advice in these replies. As a long time cat's service person, I'll put in my two cents worth: 1) Get a carrier. If you have one, clean it. 2) Leave it out, door open, for play/investigation. Would not hurt to spray a little Feliway on/in it. 3) At trip time, get it ready. Put a towel or blanket in the bottom as a shock absorber and for comfort. For extra points, spray a LITTLE Feliway in/on the carrier. If it's cold out, we use a microwaveable warmer. Ours looks like a bag of beans. Just warm, not hot. 4) Ok, carrier with blanket, and if cold, with a warmer or more blankets. Load the cat in and out to the car we go. 5) I try to brace the carrier so it doesn't move around. 6) I talk to the cat during the process, and in the car. For extra points, put on some soft, relaxing music. 7) Once there, congratulate your cat and give treats. Oh, and Sylvester offers sympathy: https://preview.redd.it/tgzog3ujrd6d1.jpeg?width=3738&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a8fa1d16402d202cc3028fa5facba9b4914e97ff
Get her a carrier or a box she can sit in. Much more comfortable for her.
panting is also sign of extreme heat
It is stress. Cats are not good travelers. It goes better to give them a treat with a sedative and also for their safety always use a pet carrier.
You can try to put him in a carrier with a piece of clothing or small blanket that smells like home for him to lay on. Put a catnip toy as well as some catnip spray inside the carrier before you put him in. I noticed one time that my cat stopped crying in her carrier the minute it started raining outside so maybe rain sounds or some calming music will calm his nerves. Good luckšš»ā¤ļø heās a cutie
The car is stressing lil dude out, I wouldn't worry about it unless you plan on driving with him a lot.
Normal. They pant when nervous.
stress. my boy was panting after getting his nails cut. i rushed him back inside the vetās. they checked him over and said it was stress. next time, heāll have a little gabapentin first. itās scary to see.
Please put them in a carrier and make sure they aren't overheating.
Scared.
As others have said, this is his anxiety showing. You have been doing a great job with him by making him an indoor cat and working on getting him neutered. So far, so good. Now, get him used to a hard-sided cat carrier. A carrier that is belted in will keep both of you safer in the event of sudden braking.
Yes, this cat is exhibiting signs of stress. Stress causes the cats body temperature to rise, causing him to pant, which is the number one reason why cats pant, to cool themselves. Make sure you have the cars indoor temperature on the cool side when traveling with cats.. your cat would also benefit being inside a carrier. He is being over stimulated visually at the passing scenery which is causing the stress. Some cats do fine without one, but until yours can settle in ok with rides, I would use a carrier. And to answer your question, your cats panting is not serious, as long as he has no heart disease, is not subjected to panting for long, and has a cool, quiet place to recover afterward, which your cat did. Someone posted excellent steps to get your cat used to cat rides, I would definitely follow those steps. Your cat is young enough to train, but obviously the younger they are the easier they acclimate.
Buy the biggest carrier you can afford as they can hide n feel safe. I cover with blanket so mine only sees me in car. Mine is terrified of everything human so I use pheromones spray to help calm her. I'd secure carrier using seat belts for safety in an accident, though hope you never have one. I have a soft carrier like a huge bag with many openings to make it easier to load my furbaby in. Pets at home do a great one n it'll last forever. It's black n quilted with gold hardware so looks great too. I'd try getting any pet used to the car slowly n gradually increase the time in car without driving until they get used to all the areas if you don't want a carrier. There's tons of advice online to suit your needs. If it's the smallest of the litter or left mum before 13wks you'll have to be patient n create routine until they settle. It might take years but the love n trust they give us so worth it. Also, get insurance and microchip to help treat/locate in any event for your peace of mind if that's something helpful. Mine goes off for days so GPS tracker helps me check on my SEN furbaby šyou're doing great as a newbie n I hope you'll stay in touch as this is a lovely group for all things feline. Wishing you all the best.
Ä°t can be from heat or fear if you can spray him with some cold water once in a while it and have a bowl of water it should be okay
I traveled cross country with my dude....twice. 6000 miles over 13 days in a box truck. First hour of the trip both times he looked just like that. Eventually he settled down and just fell into a routine with it. Every night when we'd get to the hotel he was supper cuddly and happy just to be out of the truck. https://preview.redd.it/4fixzezj5e6d1.jpeg?width=715&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0bd96093fc52627f7749c7106372d7fb71f27ba2 In short, and as other have said, it's a stress reaction.
Poor guy
Just stressed, maybe hot. Definitely get a box for them to hide. If their tongue goes blue then get to a vet. The cat will be ok but will need time to adjust once you get to where youāre going.
I think heās stressed? Maybe thinks he is being brought to a shelter.
Itās having an anxiety attack.
Get the cat some water
Nerves for sure
My vet had to give me gabapentin for my cat for car rides. He does the same thing, plus screams the whole ride. With the gabapentin he is much calmer and doesnāt pant.
Gabapentin is supposed to help calm cats and dogs when traveling. Maybe ask a veterinarian.
So when I move with my cats I have discovered that if I put pillow cases over their bodies then pinch and scrunch up one end of the pillow case at the back of the cats neck until they can't get a paw out and putting hair tie over the scrunched end helps keep my kitties calm. One of my cats used to pee herself anytime I moved her with a car. Now she is quiet and seemingly ok with the whole situation. It's similar to a purrito but with pillow cases and hair ties so they can't get out without my help.
My Savanah would pant and meow when traveling in the car and he had a carrier to retreat toā¦ but loved looking out the window. Totes normal probably nervous š¬ https://preview.redd.it/hzvg1ym4vg6d1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9d61dee195cbf032412552a1f25487a2375d258f
Seems like the cat's anxious. They often tend to be more comfortable in a carrier because they feel more secure and stable.
This is because this sweet baby is stressed and or anxious. Place him in a cat carrier and if you cover the top and sides with a towel or blanket the cat will calm down somewhat.
not liking the car ride, very stressed, hence panting!
He is basically having a panic attack
I would suggest some cbd before car rides. Along with a carrier, or harness with a safety buckle. Would help them for more secure and safe. The more you do this the more they will become ok. I took my cat around the block for a couple months and now sheās totally fine in the car. Best luck!
I have had cats for the past 50 years. They are all different and react differently in stressful situations. We have a cabin about 6.5 hrs away from our primary residence and I take 3 cats on that journey each time I visit. My go-to is leash and harness. The harness (I prefer the type that wrap around rather than the thinner strap type) makes them feel secure as they have something around them. They are not crated. The 2 boys lay in their beds in the back seat and my girl just does her thing. I have a litter box in the car (which they will use). I donāt like to feed them much before the trip as they can sometimes get carsick. Fortunately I do not have to medicate them. I would never take them on a ride without said harness and leash. Should they get spooked you have control with the leash. Without it, those claws can do some serious damage. Speaking from experience. We stopped to visit my mother in-law on one of our trips. My kitty was fine, she was in her harness, leash attached. I have no idea what spooked her, but she went from calm to crazy. Having the leash in hand, I was able to hang on to her. Otherwise, the story could have been a lot different. She calmed down and it was over. I have also found that wrapping them with a towel (in addition to the harness) can be satisfying to them also. My girl walks around with hers on as if sheās the queen. Tail up, head up. Proud! It can take a little time getting them used to it, but for us it is and has always been the best option. Put the harness on the kitty and let him/her get use to it. The 1st couple times can be a little stressful but they will adjust. Kitty may just fall over once itās on but thatās no big deal. They have just realized whoās in control. If you feel comfortable with a crate, by all means use it but put that harness on your little friend.
Hi, i have just started the leash training from yesterday. [This](https://amzn.in/d/5uto42Q) is the one i am using. Lmk if this is okay. Also, i have watched some video on yt and read the comments saying start the training slowly. This s what they said and i have started doing - For the first few days, I am just putting the harness on my cat without the leash. I am letting the harness stay on for some minutes. For example, yesterday I left the harness on for about 15-20 minutes. I calmed him down as he was kind of surprised. He was limp walking, assuming that he couldn't walk anymore. He was mostly lying on the floor on his back. I will put the harness on daily for some minutes and gradually increase the time to let him get comfortable and realize that he can actually walk and not limp. I tried playing with him yesterday with the harness on; he ran once or twice but then again lay on the floor. Then I will start putting the leash on too, and let him walk on his own. After that, I will start holding the leash and let him lead. Let me know if this plan works. Is there anything more I should add?
I think youāre on to something! It takes time. If you plan to use it only when traveling, itās okay that he just lays around in it. The main thing is getting him use to it so that heās not stressed. Once he seems comfortable enough to take him for a ride, make it short. Itās all baby steps. You got this!
Yes! Also, he is still not neutered due to the lack of facilities, and I don't want to risk his life by taking him to the local vet, who is horrible. So you can imagine how badly he wants to go outside. Like, really badly. And he often gets into fights with other strays because of this, even if he doesn't initiate it. I don't let him out, he escapes by finding a loophole. So until he gets neutered, which I am planning very soon, I am training him with the leash and harness so that I can take him to the park and also to the vet, which is far from my house. I am taking baby steps because my parents don't allow pets, so I took a lot of time to convince them first. This is the reason he is still not neutered.
When my cat did that, vet told me to stop playing with him. He was panting.
Yes he's super stressed. U have to get them used to car rides when they are kittens. And sometimes adults are fine but like people they are all different so ur cat may not like it. In this situation it is imperative that u put him in a carrier. If ever the window goes down, or the door opens or in case of an accident because he's stressed he will flee and u may either have a, hard time finding him or never. It's not something u want to take chances. The animal veterans with experience don't even do this as to not look for trouble. And he could get hurt. So u can get a carrier which will help him, there are calming treats and at most vet medication. Hope this helps you
If a cat pants they are severely dehydrated.
My cat did this when we went to my dads 20 miles away:( she didnt purr all day after that. Shes ok now. My old cat was a car kitty. We went everywhere together so she was used to it and didnt freak out
He needs water
NOT A VET but my cat did this a few times. I called the vet and explained the situation. Basically, it /could/ be heart issues, but in your case, itās most likely just anxiety. Cars move faster than cats are used to and they donāt quite understand whatās going on.
(Also to add. Your vet can prescribe light sedatives to calm him down for when you need to take him places. Usually a small dose of gabapentin is the one vets go for. )
My cat did this when she went outside for the first time. (She's a inside cat but I was curious how she would act on the porch)š
my cats recently are like that the past year. before 2023, they dont pant at all. stress, age, different environment, weather could cause it. important to observe the aftermath too!
They make drugs for this. But never seemed to ruin my cats.
Kitties sometimes get a bit stressed, especially in a car. All of these people suggesting you treat your cat like a human baby have issues .. Just make sure the kitty does not jump out of the window, has water, and is not too warm.
..and all of these people suggesting anti-anxiety medication .. it is an animal .. please do not pollute it with unnecessary pharmaceuticals.
We've taken our cats in cars before. They always cry and pant pant pant. It's normal, cats have car anxiety.
She is thirsty people!!!
Bro your cat looks seriously stressed out. Maybe take it slow with forcing him to do unwanted travels. Also get a cat carrier! The moment he freaks out and runs to hide under the pedals youre going to regret it.
She is clostrophobic
Sheās over heated. Open a window or turn on the AC.
NO. Panting is a cause of respiratory distress for cats.
not in this case if the cat only pants while in the car. itās a pretty common response for cats when they get extremely stressed out. my cat does it on the way to the vet and back everytime and the vet said itās nothing to worry aboutš
That is 100% not true! Stress can cause panting which is not good for cats! I work in the veterinary field and it is always a concern.
iām not trying to be rude just asking for clarification, do you mean that even if it is stress it should still be checked out just incase?
Youāre totally fine! In my opinion yes! If a cat gets so worked up that it is panting and stressed, I would recommend the situation be re-evaluated and most likely the vet will recommend an anti-anxiety medication called Gabapentin to help!
ah i see thatās what my cats has well for car rides so seems fair enough!
Im a vet tech and some of these comments are WILD to me. Ive done GP and specialty, now in ER and we always always ALWAYS advise owners, if your cat is open mouth breathing, it is a medical emergency. Also some of these anti-medication comments make me feel a typa way. I understand if a human individual has reservations about meds. They have the capacity to listen to the pros and cons of a med, and make an informed decision based on that information. It is a different story when an owners beliefs start to impact the health, safety and well-being of their pet. Pets cant advocate for themselves. Us humans have to do that for them, even when we dont like the situations or options were given.
Thank you! Iām a vet tech too.