Keeping Cats Calm On A Long Trip
Traveling can be a stressful experience for most cats. This is especially true if you plan on taking your cat on a long car trip. Some cats might be used to taking short trips to places like the veterinarian, but a long trip can be enough to push them over the edge. The following article will go over some tips and tricks that will help keep your cat as calm as possible on a long trip.
Reduce Noise
Cats have an excellent sense of hearing that allows them to hear things that most humans can’t. They are able to hear ultrasound, and they are very sensitive to low frequencies as well. That means sounds that most people can easily ignore can be very stressful and overwhelming for a cat.
Loud noises can be an even bigger problem if your cat carrier is made of plastic. The hard plastic walls can cause echoes that can be very loud and disorienting for a cat. One way to deal with this is to drape a towel or a blanket over the carrier to help keep some of the noise out. Another good trick is to get a padded cat carrier or place a thick mattress into the carrier you already have. Of course if you are traveling by air you will need to choose the right airline approved carrier.
You should also try to keep your cat in a quiet location if you can. If you are traveling with your cat in a car, you should try to keep them away from any open windows since the rushing air can be rather loud. In addition, don’t place their carrier near any speakers, and try to keep the noise level in the car to a minimum so your cat can relax.
Calming Scents
Another powerful way to calm a cat is through their sense of smell. There are a number of products on the market that are specifically designed to help alleviate stress. These products usually contain synthetic feline pheromones, which have a safe natural calming effect.
Feline pheromones are released from the glands on your cat’s face whenever they rub up against your leg or any other object. When your cat smells these pheromones it signals to their brain that they are safe so they can relax. This puts them in a calm mental state, which makes them more docile and less prone to stress.
Before your trip, you should spray the interior of your cat’s carrier with feline pheromones. You can also spray their mattress, or any other bedding in order to prolong the life of the scent. You can even get a pheromone collar, which will help keep your cat calm before and after the trip.
Treats & Toys
Sometimes the stress of travel can be overcome with a simple toy or a tasty snack. These little distractions can help keep your cat’s mind occupied, which can take their focus off their current predicament.
Treats can be very useful both before and during the trip. First, you can use the treats to lure your cat into the carrier, so they go in willingly without putting up a fight. Then while you’re traveling you can slip your cat a little treat whenever you get a chance. Just be sure you only give them treats when they are not acting out. Otherwise, they might learn that the bad behavior will get them a reward, which isn’t something you want.
If your cat has a favorite toy, you might want to put it in the carrier for your cat to play with during the trip. Just make sure the toy is safe and won’t pose a choking hazard if your cat gets a little too aggressive with it. You could also tie a toy to the door of the carrier so your cat can have something to swat and paw at as it moves around.
Physical Contact
When all else fails nothing beats simple physical contact. When a cat is frightened and stressed, a little loving reassurance can have a big effect. Of course, all cats are different, so you don’t want to get too physical and pushy with an aggressive or aloof cat.
One easy way to reassure your cat is to simply put your hand up against the front door of the carrier. This will give your cat a chance to sniff your hand and rub up against it. This can be enough to reassure a less stressed cat, and it also limits the risk of your cat making an escape attempt.
If you think your cat needs a little more physical contact, you can open the carrier carefully to reach in and stroke your cat. Just be careful that they don’t bolt out the door, and only reach in the carrier if you’re sure they won’t lash out and try to scratch.
About the Author:
Mark Young is an avid pet lover and writer on thepetsupplyguy.com. When he is not writing he spends his time taking care of his wide assortment of pets, and he also volunteers his time at local animal shelters.
