Traveling with cats
can be quite a challenge without
the proper preparations like
a quality
cat carrier
or small
pet crate. Whether
its driving to the vet, across
the country, or traveling
by plane, there are steps
you can take to ensure your
furry baby is as comfy and
safe as possible.
At one point or another in
your cat's life,
you'll have to drive them
to the vet. Though it might
be tempting to just let your
cat loose in the car, doing
so can cause your cat to have
vulnerable feelings and panic.
This could lead to something
as horrible as the cat
causing an accident. So, the
safest and most comfortable
thing you can do for your
cat is to get them a cat
carrier or pet
crate. The first
thing to do is make the carrier
or crate itself more
comfy by placing a towel or
blanket inside and making
sure there's always fresh
water for them to drink. Before
taking them on any kind of
travel, leave the crate
or carrier open in
your home to get your cat
to sleep in it. Try occasionally
feeding them and giving them treats inside it,
too. Another good technique
to use is to take your kitty
on short drives before taking
them to the vet or on long
travel. This way, they won't
associate the carrier
or crate with a traumatic
experience.
An important topic to cover
is the use of medicine such
as Dramamine to calm your
cat for traveling in a cat
carrier or small
pet crate. Many
vets agree that Dramamine
can be effective to calm cats
and prevent motion sickness.
A proper dose is about 5 to
12 milligrams every 8 hours,
or you can just break a tablet
into 4 quarters. Give them
the first quarter 30 minutes
before the trip starts because
once they get motion sick
or panicky, it's too late
for the medicine to work.
Remember that this only applies
to car travel. DO
NOT give cats
any sedative before air travel.
For those traveling by air,
it's important to remember
that airlines have specific
rules concerning
cat carriers
and pet
crates and what
types are acceptable. One
basic rule is that the cat
is not allowed on your lap
(in or out of the carrier
or crate) at any
time during the flight since
it could escape and cause
minor problems. For kitties
who
get to travel in a carrier,
a good choice is the small
Sherpa Ultimate Pet
Carrier. It has
everything you need to make
your cat comfy.
Consult
with your vet before giving
your cat and medications.
The views represented in this
article are not necessarily
shared by Little Pampered
Pets.
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