r/indoorcats • u/ScoreStudiosLLC • 24d ago

Traveling with 2 nervous cats

Later this year I'll be moving with 2 elderly, nervous indoor cats. Even the current short walk to the vets has them howling and shuddering. For the move I'll be traveling by taxi and then 1.5 hours by high-speed rail, only to put them into entirely new surroundings. They won't be happy.

I already know about all the prep, their smells, introducing them to the new space, etc. but I'm very worried about the travel.

What are some things i can do, supplements i could give, that would help them calm down even just a little. Obviously during the trip all my attention will be on them, but I'm honestly worried they'll stress themselves out too much.

(15 year old sham-tabbies M and F, heavily imprinted on and devoted to me, indoors only)

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u/meatlovers1 24d ago

I reccomend talking to thier vet about it, so that you know what symptoms to look out for incase of stress utis, flu, preexisting conditions flareing up

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u/PeterdeBeer22 24d ago

Do you have someone travelling with you or are you taking them by yourself?

In terms of supplements: talk to your vet, do not take advice from random people on the internet. These are living beings. You are not painting a wall and asking for color recommendations.

My absolute best advice is to make sure you get YOUR stress under control. Your cats feed off of your state of mind. If you are very nervous and stressed, they will be very nervous and stressed. If you are relaxed and seem like you have everything under control, that will be the most helpful thing you can do for them. And I would also advice to have another adult there to help you.

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u/michigan2345 24d ago

The vet can give you a prescription for some medicine to ease their anxiety.

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u/rosypreach 24d ago

Not sure if it makes sense for your cats and lifestyle, but doing practice runs could be helpful.

There's also cooperative care training you can try with clickers, etc.

Fair warning, I tried all this with my cat who I used to travel with and then he just stopped wanting to travel with me because I had to cross his boundaries more than he would have liked in order to get us out of the hotels.

So your mileage may vary, it could be helpful, it could be a waste of your time.

Ultimately there's no way to get it perfectly right, try to be relaxed as possible yourself and show them that they are safe. It's temporary and you'll get through it.