My cat gets anxious on planes. What can I give her to calm down?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | unspayed | 7 months and 26 days old | 8 lbs
I am going to be moving to Chicago and the plane ride is 1 hour and a half, I am going to take my cat with me any advice on what to give her so she doesnt get anxious, stressed & scared. Also I am afraid she might meow alot. Any supplement I can give her? Any advice will be very beneficial to me also
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 13th, 2018
Plane rides can definitely be stressful for cats. There are several different sedatives that would be appropriate for a healthy young cat. Gabapentin is my favorite, but you'll have to talk with your vet to see what they are comfortable with. Acepromazine is a sedative that was commonly used previously, but is not longer recommend because we understand better that is it slows down the body, but not the mind - not so helpful for scary situations. Good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 11th, 2017
Many great questions! Cats can get very nervous in cars, and it's possible that could occur on a plane. The first thing I would do is have Lila seen by a vet. You can discuss with the vet about using anti-anxiety medications or light sedatives before the flight so she is calm during it. It would be fine to give her water before the flight, but I would withhold food that morning. Food in her stomach may make her vomit and if she gets a sedative, she should have an empty stomach for it. You can try a pheromone spray, as those may help, and I think getting her used to the crate is a good idea. Start by putting her in it for five minutes at a time a couple of times a day, then slowly increase the amount of time she is in it until you have her in it for a couple of hours. When she is in it for a couple of hours, just do that once a day. Good luck with the move, I hope this helps :-)
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on June 22nd, 2018
You could try using some Feliaway on the towel, bed, and/or carrier she will be using for travel. This may help her remain more calm. I would also feed her like you usually do so she isn’t hungry in addition to being stressed. Best of luck. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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