Ways to Keep Cat Calm in a Car

Unlike dogs who enjoy going for a ride in the car, a cat does not feel the same way. Granted there are a few cats that enjoy riding in a car but most felines find it stressful.

Today I had to take my cat Sam to the veterinarian for his annual checkup and one of the things we must do is keep Sam from stressful situations. Sam has FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and his condition now is healthy but stress is a factor that can bring on illness. Sam gets stressed out riding in the car so I will do the following things to keep him calm.

If your cat gets stressed out when riding in the car then you may want to try the following helpful tips.

1. If you find that you must take your cat for a ride in the car then make sure you have a pet carrier that is large enough for a cat to be comfortable. They need room to lie down without a tight feeling.
2. Make the carrier more comfortable with a small crate mat. Spray this mat with the Feliway mood and behavior modifier before adding the mat to the carrier. The Feliway spray mimics the cat's pheromones and this aids in keeping the cat calm. Shop and save at Walmart.com for Feliway spray
3. Buy Kong treat dispensing toy to distract your cat while riding in the car. Fill the toy with temptation cat treats and put it in the cat carrier. The toy will divert your cat's attention and they will feel less stressed. (food is a friend to a cat)
4. Set the cat carrier on the car seat and wrap the seat belt around it. Secure the cat in the carrier so that it stays put and does not move around when the car turns or stops. Any sudden movement while the cat is in the car is very stressful and the cat will suffer.
5. Cover the cat carrier with a towel or small blanket. Blocking out the view of cars passing while the cat is riding in the car will help to keep the feline calm.
6. Refrain from turning the radio on loudly. It is best to have soft background music and that you talk to your cat while riding in the car. A familiar voice that is calm and projects positive energy will keep your cat calm while in the car.

L-Lysine for FIV Cats

My FIV cat got an upper respiratory infection last month and the treatment was antibiotics plus the supplement L-Lysine oral gel by Viralys. This gel supports the cat's immune system and is very good in the treatment of feline herpes virus (FHV) because it lessens the signs of the infection, eye infection, sinus nose issues; drainage or congestion. 

My FIV cat was rescued in 2008 and when we brought him in he had eye drainage and was diagnosed with feline herpes an upper respiratory infection. 

Know that Sam is doing much better since I started supplementing his diet with Lysine. There is no cure for feline herpes but you can reduce the flair-ups with the amino acid L-Lysine.

Normally when you give your cat medicine it can be difficult. But my cat likes this gel. What I do is squeeze ¼ teaspoon amount onto my finger then I put the gel on my cat's paw. Sam licks his paw. I give him 2 doses like this daily and will continue this supplement for the rest of my cat's life.

I bought the tube of oral L-Lysine from my veterinarian and it was expensive. When I need a refill I will buy from amazon.com or Walmart.com because these stores offer the same product for less.Walmart.com

What to Do When FIV Cat is Sick

 I noticed that my FIV cat named Sam had fluid buildup in his left eye and this was a sign of sickness, cat cold, or upper respiratory. My cat has a weakened immune system and this cold or whatever it is could progress quickly into a major illness so I immediately called the veterinarian and scheduled an appointment.

Last Monday I took Sam to the veterinarians and they ran tests on him, and his blood, and checked his urine. They told me he had an upper respiratory infection and gave him an antibiotic shot and a prescription for Viralys L-Lysine supplement.

I was told to clean the entire house with bleach and to keep Sam away from other cats.  It was also recommended that after I handle other cats or come in contact with feral or stray cats I remove those clothes and shoes, shower  or spray myself with Lysol disinfectant before I come in contact with Sam.

Know that Sam has lost weight due to this infection,  He cannot smell his food so he is not eating. Normally Sam eats C/D prescription diet food but he has stopped eating.  So I mixed his wet food with water and put it in a syringe, this is how I am feeding him and keeping him hydrated.

Even though I responded immediately when I noticed my cat was sick, his infection has progressed quickly from playing with his toys one day to signs of a cold and now he is not eating.  An FIV cat has a hard time getting over a simple cold, It is best to call the veterinarian as soon as your cat show signs of sickness.

Treatment for Cat Urinary Infection

My rescued FIV cat came to us in 2009 as an adult unaltered tomcat.  When we rescued Sam he was suffering from urinary and bladder infections. After several trips to the veterinarians, my cat, Sam was diagnosed with a urinary condition that required him to eat a special prescription diet.

We were told that it was common for unaltered tomcats to suffer stress when they are rescued and from this stress develops urinary/bladder infections.

The veterinarian prescribed Hills CD for urinary care and we were told that we could not feed our cat any other food for the rest of his life.

The veterinarian said "Hills CD for urinary care is formulated with the right balance of nutrients which enables your cat's bladder to be healthy. " We were told that Sam would be feeling better and back to using his litter box within a month's time. 

Our veterinarian assured us that feeding our cat this special diet would remove harmful minerals and this meant that the formation of urinary crystals and bladder inflammation would cease.

 So when Sam was feeling better we did neuter him.  Know that it was a long road to recovery.  I needed to watch Sam's bathroom habits to make sure he was urinating, as we were told if he strains to pee and cannot pee that he may have a blockage and that was a serious condition. 

We feared that we would have to put him down if he could not urinate due to a blockage. 

It is important that your cat is hydrated and this was a problem because Sam is not a fan of water we tried everything to keep him hydrated, and even got him a waterfall.He was not impressed with the waterfall for drinking, for playing with the water with his paws, yes...the waterfall was entertainment. 

We mixed his prescription canned food with water and this was the best way to keep him hydrated. 

Sam has been eating this special diet for three weeks now and he is back to his happy self, his energy has improved, and he is using his litter box, (sometimes) and playing with his toys.  Even though we had him neutered he is occasionally marking the sofa and noticed his pee is a little cloudy. Okay, Sam is not 100% his old self, but he is now playing with his toys and he wasn't before. The veterinarian said to keep feeding him the prescription food and in a month it will be in his system and we will see an improvement.

I feed Sam a half can of Hills CD in the morning mixed with the dry kibble and the same portion at night. I also give him purified bottled water. A fresh bowl of water twice a day.

Know that this special urinary prescription diet will prevent the reoccurrence of urinary crystals and stones and as long as we keep feeding our cat the diet food as it is the only food that will manage our cat's conditions so that he will not suffer and there will be no need for urinary / bladder surgery.

Other information about Hills Prescription cat food

Note I kept our other cats away from Sam due to this special prescription food.  I thought the medication in the food would not be good for my other cats.  

My one cat Lucy got into the room and was eating the prescription food with Sam.  I went into a panic I thought his food would harm her.

We have two other FIV cats and now they are all eating the Hills CD urinary diet food. My veterinarian said to not worry about my other cats eating the prescription food because it would prevent the cats from getting a urinary / bladder infection.

The veterinarian said the Hills prescription C/D food is good preventative food for multiple cat homes, it is not recommended for kittens.

** UPDATE Sam refused to eat the prescription food. We tried everything even other brands for prescription food but Sam would rather lose weight than eat it.   Due to his refusal to eat the food I was told to feed him whatever he likes and that the weight loss was a problem for an FIV cat.

About False Positive FIV Kitten

Many times when a kitten is tested for feline immunodeficiency virus the test results will show a false positive. This is why it is important that pet owners wait 60 days before getting their kitten retested. 

All cats that test positive should be retested because of the false positive.


Know that a year ago I took in an FIV feline immunodeficiency virus kitten because the woman who owned it did not want the cat, she did not want to learn more about the feline disease she told me to take the kitten or she would take it to the humane society. I knew that our area shelter would euthanize the kitten so I said I would take it and find it a forever home.


Finding homes for FIV kittens is difficult because, like the cat owner, people think FIV is a death sentence or an indication that the cat is sickly. Not one person wanted to learn more they just said no to me and would not adopt the kitten.


I ended up socializing the kitten with my adult FIV cat named Sam. This was not hard at all, Sam was one happy cat and the two became best of friends.


Know that the kitten had been to the veterinarian a few times, had gotten her spay and her rabies shot and all was well. But the following year when I was told that she need her annual shots I asked if it was necessary since she was FIV positive.  My veterinarian had no record of her being tested, so I told them of her history. I did not have the paperwork but the former owner was adamant about the cat's disease. I agreed to have her tested for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus. 

Both tests came back negative.


The kitten when she was tested showed a positive but it was false. I have no reason not to believe the former owner, as she was upset about the diagnosis of the cat and called me immediately when she had gotten the test results. Learn more about kittens with FIV and false positives here.

About False Positive FIV Tests

Quote: “Because few, if any, cats ever eliminate infection, the presence of antibody indicates that a cat is infected with FIV. This test can be performed by most veterinary diagnostic laboratories and also is available in kit form for use in veterinary clinics. Since false-positive results may occur, veterinarians recommend that positive results be confirmed using a test with a different format.  

Infected mother cats transfer FIV antibodies to nursing kittens, so kittens born to infected mothers may receive positive test results for several months after birth. However, few of these kittens actually are or will become infected. To clarify their infection status, kittens younger than six months of age receiving positive results should be retested at 60-day intervals until they are at least six months old.” End Quote Veterinarian Medicine Cornell education, health information on FIV   

Why is my Cat Vomiting - When to call Veterinarian?

It is common for cats to vomit, however not all vomiting is normal. Know that if your cat vomits when they are eating or right after they eat that this is a sign of illness and should not be overlooked. When a cat vomits when the eat it could be a stomach ailment, feline idiopathic cystitis or it could be due the muscle in the cats esophagus.

No harm is done to call your veterinarian and communicate your cat health concern. 

 I had a cat that did vomit when they were eating. I did not call my veterinarian immediately, instead I watched my FIV cat and found that when he ate he would vomit and knew that this was a red flag.  The veterinarian wanted to exam my cat and do blood-work. The diagnosis was a abscessed tooth.

One of my other cats would vomit at his food bowl, however this was due to anxiety. I was told that it might be a nervous condition, due to other cat pushing his way to eat at the bowl and not waiting his turn. It was suggested that I feed the cat in another room, that sharing the same food bowl may be causing the cat to feel anxiety and vomit. The feeding in another room was all that was needed. The vomiting stopped.

Renal Failure in FIV Cats

In November my cat's blood and urine tests indicated that he was in renal failure and I was told that this was an indication that the feline immunodeficiency virus had progressed.  That these FIV cats can live a long life but some cats will get sick when they are older.  Know that we rescued Sam in 2008, which was eight years ago and Sam is approximately 9 years old.  Everyone I know that has an FIV cat has told me that some cats will get sick in 5 to 6 years.

So when it came time for Sam's check-up to see how his kidneys were,  you bet I was worried.  Both my husband and I really love Sam our Siamese cat and feel sad that he is sick.   Sam went in for his wellness exam and lab work last Friday.  It took 4 days to get the results.

The veterinarian called for a urinalysis and blood evaluation.  Both tests came back with normal findings. Sam has been cleared of renal failure. In fact, at this time there is nothing wrong with him except that he has a diagnosis of feline immunodeficiency virus.   That is a virus he will have for the rest of his life.

I  had no idea that we could reverse the diagnosis of kidney failure but I think that before Sam was not getting enough water and now his KD canned cat food diet must be benefiting his health.  Going forward we will keep all of Sam's veterinarian appointments and will continue to feed him the KD prescription canned cat food.

Adopted Two FIV Cats

It is safe to say that I have been busy with my FIV cat's health concerns plus a few months ago I took in two FIV rescue cats.  The cats were sisters and both were a year old.  The family that asked me to take them was moving into an apartment that did not allow pets.  Had I not adopted the cats they would have been surrendered to our animal shelter and probably euthanized  

Three FIV cats are better than one

So I took the cats as a favor and in return, I was told that when their daughter got married in the spring she wanted the cats for her new home.   That sounds great but spring is a long way off and I had to socialize the new cats with Sam my FIV cat.

I had socialized Sam with a cat a few months back and that worked out well, but she was only with us a short time when my friend made arrangements for the cat to go live with her son.  Sam seemed to like the wind was taken from his sails.

My veterinarian advised me to not take in any more cats, because if Sam got into a fight that it would cause him to feel stressed and get sick.  I went against my veterinarians' recommendations and did socialize the two female cats.

Learn how I socialized these cats here  

I am not sure if Sam was lonely for a cat companion or what, but he welcomed those two girl cats like they were long-lost pals and the cats were happy to see him too.  There has never been territory marking or cat squabble.  The three of them just get along.  They sleep together, groom each other and play together. 

So how is Sam doing?  What I noticed is that Sam's overall disposition has improved.  I thought he was depressed but now he is back to his "ole self" meowing, talking to the birds in the morning from his window, and playing with the girl cats, we hear them playing with their toys and it is all good.

To tell you the truth, I think I got lucky that the cats were accepting of each other. It could have gone worse if there had been an alpha cat in the mix.

Cat with Kidney Disease Hates k/d Food

This is the follow-up post to Rushed my FIV Cat to Veterinarian as it explains how one day my FIV cat was fine and the next day he refused to eat.  

The attending veterinarian told me that my FIV cat named Sam has kidney disease and that this condition commonly occurs with late-stage cats with FIV.  Know that I am devastated because I had no idea that my cat was ill.  He had his lab work done in March 2015 and six months later he is diagnosed with kidney disease.  A real shock because he got sick out of nowhere.

Anyway, Sam is supposed to eat a special diet food for kidney disease in cats.  But Sam does not like the food and will not eat it.   Over the weekend Sam would meow for food and I would open a can of the k/d put some on the plate and mix a little water into the plate to make gravy.  Sam would be at my heels all the way into the room where I feed him, then he would sniff and walk away.  For four days he went without food. He would lick the gravy but not eat the food.

Monday we rushed him back to the veterinarian and they examined him and told me that they were going to give him a pill to stimulate his appetite and recommended that I start feeding him Royal Canin feline Renal LP.  Know that the veterinarian called me at home to tell me that many cats will not eat the k/d but that Royal Canin had a formula of food that cats preferred. 

So when I picked up my cat today I was pleasantly surprised because they gave me a 2.5-pound bag of the renal LP cat kibble to try.  Know that the appetite stimulant did work and Sam ate this food like he loved it.  

Sam is 8 years old.  

If you have a cat that has kidney failure and your cat does not like the special diet, you may want to try the prescription food by Royal Canin.  My cat Sam is so picky, and he really likes it.

Rushed FIV Cat to Veterinarians

Two days ago my FIV cat named Sam was playing with his toys and talking to the birds from the window.  he was fine happy and loving life then the following day he did not eat his food.  All that he did was drink water and this was a red flag that something was wrong.

My Siamese Cat named Sam, Playing one day, next day sick.

Because Sam has feline immunodeficiency virus we react differently to any changes in diet or mood because stress or illness could be a fatality for an FIV cat.

After 10 hours Sam did not attempt to eat his food, all he did was drink water so we took him to the veterinarian.  They gave him a physical exam, took blood for tests, and urine and said his urine was cloudy and not concentrated the way it should be.

The veterinarian told us to feed Sam k/d kidney care diet.  this canned food made by Hill's Prescription was formulated to support my cats kidney health.  We have no idea how Sam's kidneys were damaged, not sure if it is part of the FIV condition.  But we were told that this cat diet food will help in maintaining the balance of fluid and minerals and support my cat's kidney health. 

We bring Sam home tomorrow morning and I am to watch him over the weekend, if he does not eat his food I am to call the veterinarian office on Monday.
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