Would You Sedate?

December 20, 2007

When lilsugar asked about giving kids some medicine to calm them before a flight, there was a huge response! So, I've been inspired to post my own poll this season to see if you share those opinions . . . but, this time, about your pets.

Some vets recommend (and offer) sedatives or low-dose antihistamines to animals that get anxious and bark, meow, vomit, whine, etc. while traveling. In addition to those natural products out there for pet owners, how would you feel about drugging your furry friend for a trip?

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28 Comments

princess_dork 5 years 2 weeks

I rather not sedate my dog. Guys I need help choosing an airline for traveling with my dog. I'm really nervous about it. Should I just leave her with a pet kennel/sitter (I'm leaving for 3 months). I need suggestions.

BRANDYNICOLE730 5 years 22 weeks

I couldn't imagine how weird flying on an airplane feels for an animal.

Glittersniffer 5 years 22 weeks

I'm dogless at the moment (bugger all to rare breed waiting lists!), but I've had both situations. Our maltese, Mikey, traveled like a champ. The worst annoyance was when he wanted to stand on my full bladder to look out the window. On the other side, though, our boxer Missy that we had when I was in grade school would issue whatever she could from whatever orifice she could when she got into the car. #1, #2, #3 (think about it), slobber, the whole shooting match. She started getting doggie dramamine so that we could get her from Missouri to North Carolina without having to wrap the car interior in hefty bags. As long as you get the sedatives from your vet, who can give you the proper dosage for the pet size and the length of the flight, I have no problem with it. Just don't give your teacup poodle a kid's dramamine and think all will be well.

snowbunny11 5 years 22 weeks

I voted yes on the kids thing, but no on the pets thing, because my vet told me that it was dangerous to drug animals before flying. I'm not really sure what the rationale was... Unfortunately, this isn't an issue for me anyway because Airtran doesn't allow rabbits on airplanes. Apparently they are too "unusual," but cats, birds and dogs are fine. So my bunnies are on the other coast being watched by a sitter. I am NEVER flying Airtran again.

jwtucson 5 years 22 weeks

My DR. gives me a nice 5mg valium b4 flying ,why should my furry babies be nervous?If your Dr. is sympathetic and helps you with a valium ,please don't have even one tiny glass of wine. The combination packs a whammy,and your furry friends can't help you figure out what to do next.Lucky for me my 17 year old son could,I learned my leason!

sweetk8ty76 5 years 22 weeks

I'm new at this pet mom thing, I have no idea.

Rally RE 5 years 22 weeks

i don't believe in drugging my pets - not even my cat who meows something horrible just while going to the vet. but, he's not suffering, only letting me know he is not a happy cat in his travel container. as for my dogs, when we are going to be in the car for long periods of time, i exercise them beforehand and they fall fast asleep when we get in the car (all are crated in the car for safety reasons - each has their own area to settle). i've seen all my pets after being sedated at the vet and it is too sad....

mnp 5 years 22 weeks

I'd do it for my dog only but for plane rides. He gets really antsy around other people and will bark like crazy. Plus, I wouldn't want to make other passengers uncomfortable because not everyone like dogs.

courtneyh 5 years 22 weeks

You know I wasn't sure how my puppy Conan would react to a plane flight when I brought him to louisiana a few days ago...but everytime we ride in a car the vibrations put him to sleep like a baby, so I thought maybe he would do the same on a plane. I brought dramamine just in case. But, he not only slept the WHOLE way and thru a layover in Houston, but the people on either side of me both said "You had a dog there the whole time????" They had no clue! And for me, not distrubing others is what it's really all about-which is why I appreciate it when rowdy kids are given a little candy called Dramamine ;)

SYDLEV 5 years 22 weeks

I always thought it was the best thing for dogs on trips in the cabin or esp down in baggage. but then I did it with my 11 pound mutt last year. the vet gave me meds. disaster! she could barely wake up-I had to force her. then once home she shat bright red blood and wouldn't eat or drink. she became lethargic and the worst part--her breathing was slow and irregular. it all worked out but scared me off of them big time.

lawchick 5 years 22 weeks

My kitty used to be miserable on car rides - he would bang his face into the grate on the carrier continuously and had this crazy meow. It would go on for hours and made us both upset! My vet prescibed "kitty valium" - 1 pill an hour before the drive starts - and it was great for my kitty. He would still be upset the first few minutes in the car, but then would sleep for the rest of the ride. I only had to do this 4 or 5 times, but it always went fine and there were no lasting side effects or anything like that.

CaterpillarGirl 5 years 22 weeks

I would sedate in a second, and all pets look confused coming out of sedation....who wouldnt? Its not like they are "sad" about it give me a break.

wakeupandora 5 years 22 weeks

i might talk to my vet soon about tranquing my Shiba Inu when i need to bathe her or trim her nails. She freaks. she got so freaked once that she actually poo'd a little in the tub while i was bathing her!! i can't stand it.

RobinFabulous 5 years 22 weeks

We have an excitable pup, so yes for her. It really depends on the animal to me

cs 5 years 22 weeks

I am on the fence on this one. I wouldn't have the heart to take my dog on a plane as she would have to ride with the cargo. I personally couldn't handle that. But, I have used chamomile (read about it as a natural sedative online) to calm her when meeting the landlords for the first time and it really worked! She lapped up the cold tea in no time.

alsoto_mulhall 5 years 22 weeks

Check with the airline first! When we flew here to Japan the airline would not take sedated pets. Some teas, I have read, have a calming effect on them. Check with your vet and airline prior to sedating!

amers230 5 years 22 weeks

yesterday i would have said i'd have no problem sedating my dog for a trip, but i took her to the vet this morning because her hips are getting really bad and they ended up sedating her so that they could get an xray and they left her in the room with me while it kicked in and then while she was coming out of it and it was sooo sad. she just looked so confused as to what was going on. so after that i'd probably say no. especially if she had to travel seperate from me. the look she gave me as they were taking her out of the room on a doggie stretcher to get the xray done almost broke my heart.

Daisie 5 years 22 weeks

I couldn't agree with MandyJoBo more. I would only take my babies on a plane if I was moving permanently. My parents dogs are kenneled in a great place that exercises them, lets you bring your own special foods and all the things that every pup should get. Someone(family) is always around to visit my cat twice a day when I am gone, with at least one of those visits being a social visit lasting a few hours (2-5 depending on how my caretakers are feeling or if they are busy). I just couldn't drag my pets around the country with me, whether they be dogs or cats. As for sedation, well it is not recommended to tranquilize or sedate your animals for plane rides because it increases the chance of cardiovascular and respiratory problems as well as possibly causing death. The American Veterinary Medical Association strongly advises against flying pets and totally discourages sedation. However, there are lots of natural calming remedies I would use. Currently I use Bach's Rescue Remedy for any car trips my kitty needs.

neakybird 5 years 22 weeks

My husband and I were prescribed a sedative for our cats when we drove to Florida from our home in Massachusetts. The vet told us that the sedative was very light and would just relax them. Well, I mean to tell you that they behaved more like they were on a bad acid trip. They were crying and howling and would not stop until I would take them from their travel crates and cuddle them, all three of them would then fight to crawl under my t-shirt( don't ask me, I don't know why). We swore we wouldn't do that again and the next trip we took we just kept them in their cage. There was some crying for a while, but no where near the hysteria caused by the medication. I guess it might be necessary for some animals, but I would be very careful with it. neakybird

MandyJoBo 5 years 22 weeks

I think it's important to calm a frightened kitty or dog on a trip, but I would NEVER make my cats fly for my own sake. I would only fly with them if I were moving, not just visiting someone. Dogs do better when they're with their humans, and cats do better when they are with their home.

michelleyk 5 years 22 weeks

My cat is flying home from Japan with me this Christmas (moving home after 2 years here) and we're sedating. A 10 hour flight is cruel enough to humans without inflicting it on my baby. My vet said it was no problem, and considering we have an hour and a half train ride and a 5 hours at the airport before the flight (Animal inspection before check in), it would be a really long day to be cramped up in a carrier. The plus side is that she'll be in-cabin with me so I can watch her.

wickedk8 5 years 22 weeks

We travel by plane with my kitty a couple times a year and she is a perfect angel without the need of sedation. I'm not against it, but luckily we don't need it.

SugarKim4203 5 years 22 weeks

If my vet gave me the go ahead, then yes, I'd do it. I secretly do that as it is when Roxy needs to go to the groomer. I found these pills at the pet store that I call Doggie Zanex. If I don't give her these to calm down, she ends up poo-ing all over the place while getting groomed. I have dropped her off before, only to have to go back to the groomer within 10 minutes to pick her up without at least a bath. Oh and I use them before the fireworks go off on the 4th of July too. I have a really whippy dog (she's afraid of plastic bags for goodness sake). Judge if you will, but they work for us.

SugarKim4203 5 years 22 weeks

runnergeek 5 years 22 weeks

no..i have flown max a bunch of times and we use Continental because it just happens to have a nonstop flight..and they make you sign consent forms that say your animal was not sedated prior to flight.

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