Can my elderly cat handle moving to college and travel stress?

Question

I'm going to college soon & cant decide whether or not to take my kitty with me. She is my emotional support animal & allowed in the dorms. However, I love her & have to think about her health. She is 13 years old, can she handle a 12 hour car ride or a 1 hour flight, & living in a strange new environment? She has slept at my feet every night for 13 years, will she be more upset & traumatized if I leave her at home for 6-8 months? How much does stress effect an elderly cat's health? Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed | 13 years and 7 months old | 15 lbs

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS · Accepted Answer

Stress can affect a senior cat's health, but it is possible to take Rainbow with you to college. A one hour flight will be much easier for her than a 12 hour car ride, and I'd recommend taking her that way. You can talk to your vet to see if they feel she may need any medications for the trip, but I personally flew my cats from the US to New Zealand when I moved here without medication and that was a 12 hour flight from Los Angeles to Auckland. Cats do handle flights well, and one hour is a short flight. I think that having her there with you will help with your transition to college, and she will like being with her owner. I would consider taking her with you.

Can my elderly cat handle moving to college and travel stress?

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