Can You Give A Cat Benadryl For Traveling?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Don’t dose your cat with Benadryl or any other medication if you’re traveling with your cat by plane

. Many airlines will refuse carriage to a sedated pet as altitude can cause breathing difficulties. Talk to your vet if you believe your cat needs medicinal support during air travel.

What can you give cats for car rides?


Sleeping pills, diphenhydramine, and benzodiazepines

are a few things you can use for cat sedation for travel. It is recommended to visit the vet before you administer your cat any sedatives. If not administered properly, they can cause serious problems.

What can I give my cat for travel anxiety?

Medication prescribed by your veterinarian:

Buprenorphine (brand names: Buprenex®, Simbadol®), gabapentin (brand name Neurontin®), and alprazolam (brand names Xanax® and Niravam®)

are examples of medications that are sometimes used to reduce the anxiety that some cats experience when traveling.

How can I sedate my cat for travel?

In most cases,

travel-friendly sedatives are given orally

. These medications are generally administered 1.5-to-two hours prior to travel and given with food. There are alternative methods you can try if your cat is a picky eater. Pill pockets, hollow treats that have a spot to put a pill in their center, are handy.

How much Benadryl Can I give my cat for a long car ride?

Speak to your vet if you’re in any doubt. The general recommendation is

1mg per pound in weight, given up to three times daily

. Benadryl comes in a number of forms. Liquid Benadryl is easiest to measure out into the correct dose but some cats find it bitter tasting and it might be harder to get them to swallow it.

How much children’s Benadryl can I give my cat?

Benadryl Dosage for Cats

If you go the route of liquid Benadryl, you will want to use the children’s liquid or liquid Benadryl from your vet. The generally accepted dose is

1mg of Benadryl per pound of your cat’s body weight every 8-12 hours

.

Is there a natural sedative for cats?


Kava Kava

– Kava Kava is a tropical herb which acts as a sedative. Catnip – Catnip is a member of the mint family and a well-known cat sedative. Valerian – Valerian is a perennial flowering plant known for its use as a sedative for centuries.

Can I sedate my cat for air travel?

Simply, the answer is NO! According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA),

sedating cats or dogs during air travel may increase the risk of heart and respiratory problems

. Except in unusual circumstances, veterinarians should not dispense sedatives for animals that are to be transported.

What over the counter medicine can I use to sedate my cat?


Benadryl

is an over-the-counter cat sedative option with a good safety margin. However, it’s important to check with your vet for the right dose and formulation. Side effects include dry mouth, increased heart rate, and urine retention.

How much Benadryl should I give my cat?

Benadryl Dosage for Cats

Typically, cats take

1 mg of Benadryl for each pound of body weight two to three times a day

. This means a 12.5-pound cat will take 12.5mg (or half of a 25 mg Benadryl tablet) up to three times a day, depending on your veterinarian’s recommendation.

How long does it take for Benadryl to work in cats?

This medication will take effect quickly, in about

1 to 2 hours

, and improvement in clinical signs should follow.

How do you transport a cat long distance?

  1. A Love For the Car. …
  2. Allow Your Cat to Get Used to the Carrier. …
  3. Visit Your Veterinarian. …
  4. Allow for Stopovers. …
  5. Feed Your Cat Before the Trip. …
  6. Properly Secure the Carrier. …
  7. Try to Make The Trip as Comfortable as Possible. …
  8. Spread Out Your Cat’s Toys and other Possessions.

How long can a cat travel in a car?

Without much traffic, that’s a long ride,

about seven or eight hours

. The cat should be allowed out of its carrier every four to six hours. Here are some tips for traveling with a cat in your car: Make sure the cat has a carrier.

Can you give a kitten Benadryl?


Benadryl is generally considered to be safe for cats

and is sometimes used to treat allergies and allergic reactions in cats. However, as with any medical problem and treatment, it’s important to reach out to your veterinarian for help before giving your cat anything out of their ordinary routine.

What antihistamine can cats take?

Table 2. Antihistamine Dosages for Cats Antihistamine Recommended Dosage For Cats Cetirizine (Zyrtec, mcneil-consumer.com) 5 mg/cat PO Q 12–24 H Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, merck.com) 2–4 mg/cat PO Q 12 H Clemastine (Tavist, us.novartis.com) 0.34–0.68 mg/cat PO Q 12 H

How much Benadryl can a 10-pound cat have?


One milligram per pound

is the standard safe dosage.

This means that if your pet weighs around 10 pounds, the standard safe dosage of Benadryl will be 10 milligrams. However, that doesn’t mean that the cat won’t experience any side effects or that the medication will be enough.

Is there melatonin for cats?

Along with promoting sleep, melatonin may also help with Cushing’s disease, separation anxiety, and other dog and cat health problems. Melatonin as a nutritional supplement is often used by humans for sleep problems, but

it also has several health applications for dogs and cats

.

Can you sedate a cat for grooming?

For some cats,

using a sedative medication will be the most humane way to groom them comfortably

. Before using any medication of this type, speak to your vet for advice. They may prescribe a particular type of sedative to best match your cat’s circumstances.

Can cats travel long distances?

If a cat feels a need to move away from its territory,

it can walk around 5-10 miles each day

. This would account for how cats have been found long distances from their home.

Should I sedate my cat for a long flight?

Animals can even become dehydrated, though that’s rare. No loving pet parent wishes any of that on their cat or dog! That’s why

the American Veterinary Medical Association strongly recommends against using tranquilizers or sedatives

. Airlines won’t even accept sedated/tranquilized dogs and cats.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.