In this article are are going to look at some great methods on how to stop a cat meowing in the car. Why would a cat have to be in a car in the first place? Well cat’s are most comfortable in their regular home environment, but as with anything in life, things can change and there will be certain situations where you will need to get your cat in the car.
This may be a relocation if you plan on moving home, visiting friends or relatives who live a distance away, or you may even just enjoy traveling and want to take your furry little friend with you. Whatever you situation, one thing is a pretty much guarantee… your cat is going to get very anxious.
The reason for this is because of the strange environment and motion of a moving car. It’s something which a cat doesn’t usually experience. A nervous cat is going to meow a lot, but how do you stop a cat meowing in the car? The key to being successful with this preparation and planning before you even get in the car and start your journey.
Let’s dive into the tips and look at how to stop a cat meowing in the car to eliminate as much stress from your cat as possible.
Why Do Cat’s Hate Car Rides
Before we go into the tips, let’s quickly touch on why cat’s hate car rides. A big characteristic of a cat is that they are creatures of habit. Your cat’s stress response to riding in a car is an unusual break in their routine.
In a way it’s very similar to how a human responds to being in an unfamiliar environment or uncomfortable situations. Obviously every cat will react different, some may be more relaxed than others, but pretty much all cat’s will feel some degree of anxiety on a car journey.
Getting a Quality Carrier
The first step is to get a good quality, comfortable carrier. A bad carrier means an uncomfortable cat, an uncomfortable cat means a lot of meowing! When choosing a cat carrier, you will also have to take into consideration the length of the journey (more details below).
A basic carrier may work well for certain things such as a short journey or a visit to the vets. The same carrier may be no good for longer journeys. Cat’s love a nice dark, cozy place to relax but make sure the carrier contains a big enough panel for your cat to view out. Being able to to see their owner during the journey will provide more comfort for the cat.
Also don’t forget to think about your cat going to the toilet. One thing to take into consideration is a carrier large enough to hold a portable litter box.
Introducing the Carrier to You Cat
One of the main things in getting this to work is getting your kitty used to the carrier well in advance of the travel day. Here’s a simple list you will need to do in order to achieve this.
- Place the carrier in a room where your cat likes to relax.
- Put your cat’s favorite blanket inside the carrier.
- Spread treats inside so your cat will wonder inside at their will.
- Place the cat inside after a few days of doing the above steps (If your cat fights or struggles, warp them in a towel.
- For the next few days, keep your kitty inside the carrier for longer and longer periods.
Introduction to The Car and Short Rides
Once you achieved the goal of getting your cat used to the carrier, the next step is to move this to the car.
- Place the carrier inside your car.
- Try sitting in the car with your cat.
- Use treats to try and entice them inside the carrier.
- If this is a struggle, use the carrier to get them from the house to the car.
- Be patient and allow them to get used to the feeling of being inside the car.
- The final step is to take them on very short trips just around your neighborhood.
- Reward them after each trip to associate car rides with positive experience.
Tips For Long Journeys
Short trips are not so bead, but taking your cat on a long journey is will require a bit more planning. Most cat’s are going to suffer from discomfort and stress on a long journey. First of all follow all of the steps as described above.
You will then have to consider some additional steps to ensure that the long journey goes as smooth as possible. Let’s break down some important tips into a simple checklist.
- Bad Experience: If your cat has had a bad experience in the past or during the short trip test runs, talk to your local vet about the consideration of using prescription solutions.
- Stop every minutes to check on your cat.
- Keep plenty of treats at hand.
- Use a small portable litter box inside the carrier.
- Hydration is important. This Waterboy Travel Water Bowl is a great option which you can pick up for really cheap on Amazon.
- Slightly limit the cat’s food intake on the day to minimize bathroom use.
- Get some new toys as well as your cat’s current favorite toys for inside the car.
- Place the carrier in a position in which your cat will see you. This will add more comfort and eliminate stress.
- Do not play loud music in the car. This may add to the stress level and make your cat more anxious.
- Keep the windows up to minimize the noise of traffic.
Stress Remedies To Calm Your Cat
Fortunately you can get different supplements and devices which can be a massive help when wondering how to stop a cat meowing in the car. These are great options which you must consider if you want to make the journey as smooth and easy as possible.
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Sprays
- Promotes calm behavior
- Helps make appointments, moving, and other stressful events easier
- Calming herbal formula assists with stress-induced behavioral issues
- Comes in an easy to use spray.
Example: BestLife4Pets Pet Calming Anxiety Relief Spray
  2. Wipes
- For those short term behavior needs
- Increases your ability to travel more easily with your cat
- Provides comfort on their bedding area
- Helps to get your cat to like their carrier and find it as a place of comfort
Example: Feliway Animal Health C95660B 12 Count Feliway Wipes
  3. Diffuser
- Helps to reduce the restless behavior of your pet.
- Fast & long lasting effect
- Contains only natural ingredients
- Reduces and stops the aggressive behavior of your pet
- Tested by veterianians
Example: Relaxivet Dogs & Cats Calming Diffuser + Refill
  4. Collar
- Lavender calming collar helps reduce the stress of your pet.
- Starts working within 1 hour. Its calming effect lasts up to 30 DAYS
- Lavender and chamomile essential oils help relieve tension and anxiety
- Alleviates stress caused by fear, stress, being in heat, loud noise, transportation, traveling, vet’s visit, being alone, fireworks, thunderstorm, etc
Example: Relaxivet Calming Collar For Cats and Small Dogs
  5. Drops
- Great for visiting the vet or groomer, loud noises, separation, and traveling
- This pet friendly remedy is safe, non-drowsy and trusted by veterinarians
- Administer 4 drops orally to your pet as often as needed
- Alcohol-free and suitable for dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, birds and lizards
Example: RESCUE REMEDY PET Dropper
Conclusion and Further Help
If you follow the guide above then in most cases, your journey will go well and should prevent your cat from constant meowing when inside the car. If absolutely nothing works, then the obvious thing to do is to ask your veterinarian for further advice.
Hope you enjoyed this article on How to Stop a Cat Meowing in the Car and that you got some great value from it. If any of the tips worked for you or even if you have found better options, leave your comments below.
