With the arrival of summer, the “migration period” traditionally begins in Russia. Some people go on vacation to distant lands, others go to their favorite dacha. Usually they go there with all their children, household members and, of course, pets. Particularly lucky pets are taken out for the entire summer months, the rest are driven weekly through traffic jams to and from the dacha. And along with flea and tick medications, there is a growing demand in pet stores for products to help make those trips easier.
Article on the topic: Meet fully armed. What dangers threaten a pet at the dacha?
Of course, if a dog or cat is afraid to ride in a car, train or other transport, it is worth choosing one of the anti-stress medications that are produced specifically for animals. Let's look at what veterinarians currently offer in such cases.
Preparing for the trip
To travel with a pet, you need to stock up on certificates and treat the animal for parasites. Be sure to have a veterinary passport of the cat with you, which indicates: gender, breed, nickname, date of birth, etc. The owner's details are listed in a separate column. The document contains the following information:
- marks for prevention and treatment of worms;
- a list of mandatory vaccinations;
- data on surgical interventions;
- about the implementation of the chip (if any).
The rules change from time to time, so it is recommended to find out about all the points in advance. It is recommended to take wet wipes and disposable diapers with you, as cats often get seasick. To travel by train or plane, you will need to purchase an additional ticket for your pet.
Leave a request for a cat hotel
Second echelon
There are a number of other drugs on the market. They are rarer and, as a result, less popular, although these are all domestic brands.
"Antistress" ()
Question and answer What are the rules for transporting animals in passenger trains?
Available in tablet form separately for cats and dogs. Ingredients: vitamins + motherwort, essentially brewer's yeast with motherwort. It will be useful for animals with a weak nervous system when taken in courses. It does not act quickly, so it is useless to give it immediately before a trip. In this case, it is better to choose another drug as a sedative that will begin to work soon after administration.
"Vetspokoin" ()
Release form: suspension and tablets. The composition includes phenibut, royal jelly and promethazine, which has an antiallergic effect. Phenibut has already been discussed above. According to veterinarians, preparations containing it require caution in use, since animals often experience undesirable reactions to this substance. It is important to avoid overdose! Bee products can also serve as an allergen for animals.
"Fitex" ()
Available in the form of drops. Wonderful natural composition: extracts of valerian officinalis, motherwort, common hop, Baikal skullcap. But you need to give it three times a day. Contraindicated in Greyhounds and animals with low blood pressure. In case of overdose, drowsiness and lethargy may occur.
Dangers of a summer residence: how to prepare a pet for country life Read more
Where to start getting used to traveling
It is necessary to accustom the animal to being carried while still a kitten so that it calmly reacts to a confined space. If you plan to take an adult cat on a trip, then it is worth treating the box with special pheromones. This way he will get through the road more calmly. If you are traveling by car, you should introduce your furry friend to the car. You can take him in your arms and sit in the salon. Let him sniff everything, climb around the chairs, then you need to start the engine for a short time. The next day you can take a ride around the house. After letting your pet out at home, you should praise him and treat him with goodies. It is advisable to do such training within a week or two before traveling. The purpose of short walks is to let the cat know that it is not in danger.
Herbal preparations: methods of use
The most popular sedatives for cats in this category are:
- "Fitex" (liquid for instillation). Contains medicinal herbs. This product should not be used if your pet has low blood pressure. Give 3-5 drops in the morning, afternoon and evening. Can be added to food provided it is completely eaten.
- “Stop Stress” (drops) – calming drops for cats. Similar in composition to the drug "Fitex", but also contain phenibut. Used at the rate of 1 kg of animal – 1 drop of product. It should be given in two doses.
- "Cat Bayun" (tablets and infusion). They contain only plant substances and can be given to cats from 10 months. The result is achieved after 5-7 days of use.
- “Fospasim” (liquid for injections and drops). The drug is quite fast acting. Consists of medicinal herbs and mineral components. Injections are administered subcutaneously or into the muscle at a rate of 0.1 ml per 1 kg of animal weight. Drops – 10-15 drops 1-2 times a day. The course lasts about 10 days.
- “Feliway” (in the form of a spray or a bottle with a substance for connecting to an outlet). Its distinctive feature is that it contains pheromone F. The drug is odorless and colorless. Non-toxic.
How cats behave on the road
Every animal has its own character and health characteristics.
Even a cat accustomed to the road can become frightened by something and behave inappropriately. If a pet is transported for the first time, it usually begins to meow heart-rendingly, rush around in the box, and may urinate or drool. Some owners, wanting to help, open the carrier. Advice: don’t do this, the “prisoner” will try to get out of the car, no matter what the cost. A runaway animal will be difficult to find later. It is advisable to put a collar on your pet with the owner’s phone number before the trip. It is necessary to securely secure the carrier in the car so that it does not fall and the cat is not injured in it. Some people take their pet on a car trip wearing only a harness. This way you can transport animals that have been in a car more than once. They breathe calmly, lie in their arms or watch the road through the glass, and react adequately to noises and sounds.
What is the best way to transport a cat?
Cats have sharp teeth and claws; in a stressful situation, they can even dig into their beloved owner. On the road, it is recommended to purchase a spacious plastic box with a lattice door and side viewing windows. The device is convenient for traveling with your pet in any vehicle, as it is made of durable plastic. The hard bottom allows the cat to stand confidently on its paws and protects it from bumps and falls during traffic. Open carrying areas provide great visibility and airflow. Plastic boxes are light weight and easy to clean. For short distances, you can buy a metal cage, but only for calm cats.
Composition and release form
Available in the form of tablets and solution.
The composition of both drugs is as follows:
- Active ingredients.
- Complex of natural herbs.
- Auxiliary components.
The first 2 groups of substances in both drugs are the same.
Active elements include:
- Oregano herb . A natural strong antibiotic and anthelmintic, has an antihistamine effect.
- Sweet clover grass. Contains coumarin, a substance with a narcotic effect that depresses the central nervous system and relieves seizures.
- Valerian roots and rhizomes . They produce a strong sedative effect and reduce the excitability of the central nervous system.
A complex of plants is also used:
- flowers and fruits of hawthorn;
- motherwort;
- mint;
- hop cones;
- ivy beetroot grass;
- catnip;
- Melissa;
- meadowsweet flowers;
- St. John's wort;
- thyme;
- swamp grass;
- Kholmovaya Solyanka grass;
- nettle;
- evasive peony roots.
Solution
In liquid form, distilled water is used as a solvent. The drug has a strong herbal aroma. The product is liquid brown. During long-term storage, a sediment forms, which dissolves into a uniform cloud when shaken. Available in glass bottles with a rubber stopper. In terms of rutin (glycoside of the flavonoid quercetin), the concentration of flavonoids is about 0.007%.
Pills
The tablets are small, weight – 0.2 grams. They have a light yellow tint, round and slightly convex shape. Additional components: lactose, starch, calcium stearate. Sometimes there are inclusions and stripes of various shades (marbling). The medicine is packaged in plastic bottles, not blisters. In terms of rutin (glycoside of the flavonoid quercetin), the tablet contains about 1 × 10-3 mcg.
How to calm down without drugs
It has long been known that the owner’s voice has a calming effect on the animal. In an extreme situation, this will help the cat cope with emotions. The first signs of a worsening condition are rapid breathing with the tongue hanging out, nervous movement around the cage. If possible, you should bring the box with your pet to an open window. A gentle conversation in a calm tone will help the cat relax and calm down. Veterinarians advise singing anything to an animal on the road - a lullaby, a cheerful or sad melody.
Before traveling, it is recommended to purchase cat supplies soaked in calming pheromones at the pet pharmacy. This could be: a collar, an aerosol can, wet wipes, and other means. Peppermint essential oil, herbal infusion, perfectly relaxes.
Special food additives also relieve anxiety in animals. The components are selected in such a way that they block the excitation of nerve fibers in the brain. The cat will calmly endure the trip, perhaps even sleep.
Should you always give a sedative?
Cats should only be given sedatives if prescribed by a veterinarian. Problems with behavior, for example, neuropsychic disorders in the form of aggression, can be cured not with pills, but with affection and a properly organized educational process. The same applies to frequent moving, tagging, and training animals to visit groomers. It is necessary to understand what caused this or that condition, and try to get rid of it not with chemistry, but with a sensitive attitude and education.
What to do in crisis situations
— When traveling in a car, you should never let the cat out of the carrier, otherwise you may provoke an accident.
It’s worth trying to lower the box with the cat at your feet onto the mat and turn on the airflow. — Cover the box with a terry towel or disposable diaper so that the cat does not see flashing cars. You need to leave a gap at the bottom for air to enter.
- If the animal continues to scream, then you should talk to it gently. This should be done by the passenger, but not by the driver, so as not to create an emergency situation.
— It is advisable to stop and take your pet out into the fresh air. Sometimes a cat wants to fulfill its physiological needs. For an indoor cat, it is better to use a litter box that she is used to.
- You can offer water, distract your pet with a game.
— If a cat is under extreme stress, then you cannot do without an anticonvulsant drug. The medicine has an analgesic and strong sedative effect. You should always have the drug on hand, it will not cause much harm, but there is a condition - the veterinarian must select the dosage.
Don't be afraid to travel with a pet, it's exciting not only for you, but also for your pet. You won't both need to worry about separation, just prepare thoroughly.
In our hotel for cats, we offer our clients a Transfer service; if you do not have the opportunity to bring your pet in person, we will do this in the most comfortable conditions for the cat.
Sleeping pills
Putting an animal into medicated sleep must be approached with a high degree of responsibility. You must understand that this is an emergency measure and it is better to resort to it under the supervision of a doctor.
The most commonly used means include:
- Ventranquil is a powerful tranquilizer that is often used to transport felines. It not only soothes you for a long time, but also helps cope with motion sickness.
- Butorphanol is a sleeping pill that can help an animal in the acute period of neurological diseases, with phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Meditin is used for sedation and gentle euthanization before intravenous or mask anesthesia and surgical interventions, as well as after them for pain relief, muscle relaxation and sedation.
- Relanium is a remedy known in human psychiatry. A powerful drug used in emergency situations for large and healthy cats.
