My kitten freaks out in the car. How can I calm him for vet trips?

Question

I was taking my 7 month kitten to the vet, and he started hyperventilating in the car. He was opening his mouth as to make a sound but couldn't, his pupils dilated. His heart rate was very quick, and was shaking some of the time and was panting most of the time. I tried to call him down and gave him water which he drank. He'd calm down for a bit, but Everytime We stopped the car or opened the door head freak out again! Is there anything I can do to make him calm down in the car? Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 7 months and 18 days old

Sara Farmer, DVM · Accepted Answer

You could try a pheromone spray like Feliway in and around his crate to help him relax. If he is not in a crate I would highly recommend using one - it's a good idea to acclimate cats to a crate by leaving it out and even feeding them inside so they aren't quite so stressed when having to travel in one. You could also try taking Felix for very short drives so he can get used to travel - you may even need to start by just putting him in the crate in the car for a minute or two if he becomes anxious quickly. Some cats even need an oral sedative before car travel so you could talk to veterinarian about prescribing a medication if he still seems extremely stressed. Good luck!

My kitten freaks out in the car. How can I calm him for vet trips?

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