Odd pet behavior in the MME

[Silvernort]

My cat has an issue with my MME. Every time I have to drive somewhere with him - vet, whatever- he yowls, drools and pukes. He never does this in any other vehicle. In the motorhome he just sits up in one of the back windows, in my Miata he sits on the console and leans on me while watching out the window.
Recently I had to take him to a kennel for a few days and tried some cat relaxer (for him, not me...), didn't help. When I picked him up, I drove super smooth and so on - no difference. Does the MachE make some kind of sound I can't hear that is upsetting to him? Does anyone else notice a difference in the behavior of their pet in an EV over an ICE? Maybe he hates Fords?

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[AtomicInternet]

Might just be he's not used to it, my cat has no issues with my MME. I never take more than 15 minute trips with him in the car, but normal behavior.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

My cat has an issue with my MME. Every time I have to drive somewhere with him - vet, whatever- he yowls, drools and pukes. He never does this in any other vehicle. In the motorhome he just sits up in one of the back windows, in my Miata he sits on the console and leans on me while watching out the window.
Recently I had to take him to a kennel for a few days and tried some cat relaxer (for him, not me...), didn't help. When I picked him up, I drove super smooth and so on - no difference. Does the MachE make some kind of sound I can't hear that is upsetting to him? Does anyone else notice a difference in the behavior of their pet in an EV over an ICE? Maybe he hates Fords?

My chauffeur says Koa the Cat howls and cries in all cars. The Orange cat likes listening to the music in the mach-e but finds the big blue Raptor annoying — unless the female human is driving. I’m quiet, unless I’m driving, but I’m a princess so …

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Cats don’t like trips to the vet. Putting them in their carrier can easily trigger them. Nothing good comes from that from their point of view. The forum avatar cat (Puahi) couldn’t meow (she did but virtually no sound came out) and was unhappy on all trips to the vet, no matter the length but did better in the mme and was always fine coming home. Koa hates traveling and knows Puahi (he was quite bonded to her) went to the vet and didn’t come back the last time. Taking him anywhere is a real stressful situation for me. The little boy (the orange cat, he’s 5 now) just thinks we’re being mean but doesn’t fuss too much.

A vet can prescribe a mild tranquilizer for your cats. Gabapentin is given in food or a pill pocket the night before and again then 90 minutes before a stressful trip. It does not put them to sleep but does help knock much of the edge off.

Hope that helps. Now back to your regularly scheduled Calico Cat complaining.

 

[Tosh]

If you don't have propulsion sound turned on, give that a try. It might seem silly, but for some people the lack of engine noise increases the likelyhood of motion sickness.

 

[AZBill]

The motors and inverters have a lot of high frequency noise that most humans do not notice. But your cat could be sensitive to that.

We have a dog that howls every time he hears sirens. Our previous dog never did that.

 

[MetalCord]

I guarantee your cat is hearing things that you don't. They can hear sounds in the ultrasonic spectrum. All of my cats over the years have all behaved differently when on a car trip. My current grey cat is just happy to be included in anything and will go out of her way to force that arrangement. She doesn't seem to mind riding in the Mach-E at all.

 

[Silvernort]

I did try gabapentin a couple times, didn't help. The only variable between a good trip and puking is the vehicle. I think, but have no proof, it is some sonic thing that upsets him. Interesting it doesn't seem to be more universal among pets. Mr. Motor may be just hypersensitive to it or something.

 

[Tosh]

We have a dog that is terrified of riding in a car (F-150, Volvo XC60, Sprinter van, etc.)

We found that Trazadone is the only medication that will help her stay calm. She still gets sick from time to time, but most trips she's fine.

I don't have any cats so I can't speak to that.

 

[HuntingPudel]

The motors and inverters have a lot of high frequency noise that most humans do not notice. But your cat could be sensitive to that.

We have a dog that howls every time he hears sirens. Our previous dog never did that.

I howl at sirens. I do a better job at it. ??

 

[Flint302]

I always yowl, drool, and puke whenever I drive my Mach E. Gezzzz, I'm glad it's not just me. I feel much better now--I was starting to worry.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

We had a cat that needed a lot of veterinary care in the last few years of her long life (she lived to 18). Some of her vets were north of SF, so she went over the Golden Gate Bridge many times. We found that if we gave her Cerenia beforehand that she did better. Our regular vet was surprised, since it's an anti-nausea, not anti-anxiety med. Our vet guessed she might have been yowling because she was car sick, so that's why Cerenia helped. So you might want to give it a try.

Layla was a lovely cat and we miss her dearly.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

I bet they are uncomfortable with the bounciness.

 

[MetalCord]

I bet they are uncomfortable with the bounciness.

An excellent point! I wonder if a magneride equipped Mach-E would yield better results.

 

[Sikkun]

My dogs don’t mind at all.

 

[AngryMan]

Maybe they are sensitive to the magnetic field that EVs produce . Might make them nervous or anxious . You try letting kitty ride with their favorite toy or blanket etc ?


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