10 Best Cat Sedatives For Travel 2026 in the United States

Vetoquinol Zylkene is a natural calming supplement designed for small dogs and cats, using alpha-casozepine, a protein from cow's milk, to help reduce stress without causing drowsiness. This makes it a gentle option for pets who get anxious during travel, vet visits, or loud events. It’s lactose-free and formulated to be easy on sensitive stomachs, which is great for animals prone to digestive issues. The product comes in capsules that you open and sprinkle over food, simplifying administration without forcing your pet to take pills directly.

Zylkene provides daily behavioral support and can help with anxiety linked to changes in routine. Dosage is tailored to small breeds, and the package contains 120 capsules, offering good value if your pet needs ongoing support. Side effects are minimal, thanks to its natural ingredients, making it a safer choice compared to stronger prescription options.

This supplement is best suited for pet owners looking for a mild, non-drowsy calming aid for their cats or small dogs during stressful situations like travel. For everyday stress relief and mild travel anxiety, Zylkene presents a convenient, gentle, and well-regarded option. If your cat experiences severe anxiety or requires fast-acting sedation, a vet-prescribed medication might be more appropriate.

Zesty Paws Calming Chews for Cats are natural, bacon-flavored soft chews designed to help cats relax during stressful events like travel, thunderstorms, or separation. They use a blend of calming ingredients such as L-Theanine (in a form called Suntheanine), melatonin, chamomile, and L-Tryptophan to promote a sense of calm and reduce common signs of stress like excessive meowing or hiding. These chews are intended for adult house cats of all breeds and come in a 60-count pack. The dosage is flexible, starting from half a chew and increasing up to two per day, which you can split between morning and evening. This gradual increase helps avoid over-sedation.

Since the formula is natural rather than prescription-based, it tends to have fewer side effects, but individual cats might react differently, so monitoring your pet after administration is important. The product does not act as a strong sedative but is more suited for managing everyday stress and mild anxiety, making it a good choice for pet owners looking for a gentle, drug-free option. However, for cats with severe anxiety or those needing longer-lasting or stronger sedation during travel, a prescription medication might be more effective.

The chews’ bacon flavor also helps with acceptance, making it easier to give to picky eaters. These calming chews are best suited for normal stress situations rather than heavy sedation.

FELIWAY Classic Cat Calming Spray is a natural, pheromone-based calming aid designed to reduce stress and unwanted behaviors like scratching and spraying, especially useful during travel. It works by mimicking a cat’s natural calming pheromones, which helps create a relaxed environment whether at home or on the move. The spray is easy to use: simply apply it inside the cat carrier or on bedding about 20 minutes before travel. It lasts about 4-5 hours per use, with each 60ml bottle providing around 50 sprays, making it suitable for multiple trips or at-home comfort.

Since FELIWAY is not a medication but a natural pheromone spray, it doesn't have typical sedative side effects like drowsiness or grogginess, which makes it a safer option for many cats. However, it should never be sprayed directly on your cat. The calming effect may vary between cats—some respond well, while others might need additional support during stressful events.

This spray is well suited for cat owners looking for a gentle, non-prescription way to ease travel anxiety and reduce marking or scratching behaviors. It’s also favored by vets and shelters as a first-choice calming aid. On the downside, it may not provide strong calming effects for very anxious cats or in highly stressful situations, where prescription sedatives might be necessary. Also, its effect duration means you need to plan your application timing carefully. FELIWAY Classic Spray is a convenient and vet-recommended calming tool for mild to moderate stress in cats during travel or at home, especially if you prefer a natural, side-effect-free option rather than medication.