Traveling with your feline companion is a delight when you reach the destination but a great stress during your trip.
You are probably asking yourself what steps you need to take to plan the trip, what you should prepare for your cat for a long plane trip or a long car road how can you possibly ensure the safety of your car, and many more questions.
Well, let’s start with as many pieces of advice as we can give you.
Planning your vacation or a long-distance trip with your cat will prevent unneeded stress for both, you and your cat. You have to obtain the right paperwork can be a long process. Add to this that cats often need time to properly get used to their carrier and a vehicle. Pay attention to your cat’s individual needs and talk with your vet who can help keep your cat safe and as happy as possible during your travel adventure.
How to plan a trip with your cat?
Your cat can be a problematic travel companion so every minute dedicated to a well-planned trip with it will be worth doing. Monts in advance you will have to start obtaining the paperwork and get your feline ready to start the trip.Your cat’s behavior in the car
Since cats do not like to travel with you by car which may be because of a fear issue or the tight space inside the car your cat may show strange behavior and do some strange things during the trip.
It may droll, meow, yowl in a loud voice, or even try to scratch and claw to make a way to get out of the carrier.
Your cat may pant while you are traveling by car. Comparing dogs, for example, vets say that panting in the car is typical for them, but not for cats. It may be a concern for you when your cat pants while on a car ride.
There might be several reasons why your cat pants in the car.
Why is the cat panting in the car while traveling?
1. Nausea
Car rides can make your cat feel nauseous. The inner ear of a cat is very sensitive, so the vibrations, sounds of the car, movements, and uphills or downhills of the road make your cat’s stomach sick. Nausea will make the cat pant instead of throwing up. You can consult your vet if you find this condition a reason for your cat’s panting in the car. Vets have a pallet of medications to prevent this and you will only have to give it to your pet before the trip.2. The Heat
Cats may be overheated when traveling by car. All cats prefer comfort and cooler temperatures which is more accented when they feel under stress. Traveling is a kind of stress for felines. The heat in your car may make your cat feel sick. Again, instead of throwing up, it may control its behavior and pant.You may help your cat by turning on the air conditioner and obtaining a cool temperature inside the car. Not cold, but just cool because cats do not like cold temperatures. It can help prevent panting during the ride.
3. Cats are animals that don’t like any kind of change.
As you already know even a change in your home can cause stress in your cat. So, can you imagine how big the stress is for your feline companion when you decide to travel? In this situation, the cat is panting because it is under great stress. It is afraid of change. You are taking the cat out of its normal environment into an unfamiliar place and conditions. Not only panting, but hard breathing can be another thing you may notice.
It is advisable to talk to your vet before you start the trip. The vet will probably suggest something that can be a good solution to calm the cat down. There are a variety of medications.4. Stress
Cats are among the animals that can become stressed very easily. The car can cause a big anxiety for your cat. A few things that will upset you may occur. The cat can have a fast heart rate and that can cause your cat to pant inside the car. As you know, cats are territorial creatures and the car is not a familiar territory for them.
You can still help your cat to overcome this condition by giving it a medication suggested by your vet. But never give the cat something you can buy over-the-counter (OTC) of any human medication.
5. Underlying medical problems
In case none of the above-mentioned issues are causing your cat to pent inside the car during the traveling your cat may have another medical problem. This condition has to be checked. Not always the hard breathing in cats is because of stress, but it can be an indicator of a certain disease.Some other reasons why cats pant in the car
If traveling is not the only reason for your feline companion to pant in the car, then you must pay attention to other issues which are most of the time emergencies.
Rapid breathing in cats can be a result of asthma, respiratory infection, heartworms, heart failure, or a blockage in the throat of the cat.
Your cat may pant excessively not only when it is in the car and it is a specific sign for urgent action. You have to schedule an appointment with your vet.
How to keep your cat calm in the car?
You should take your cat to the vet for an examination, elaborate on your intentions, and accept your vet’s suggestions. He will probably give your cat something to keep it calm during the trip.
