Woman Calms Cat With iPad on First Flight

The owner's creative solution to soothe her cat during air travel went viral on TikTok.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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When Katie Kennedy had to take her 7-month-old British shorthair cat, Primrose, on an unexpected flight after her grandmother's passing, she discovered a simple trick to calm the cat during the stressful journey - playing cat videos on an iPad inside the carrier. The TikTok video of Primrose falling asleep to the iPad screen quickly went viral, with viewers praising the creative solution.

Why it matters

Air travel can be an extremely stressful experience for pets, and many owners struggle to find ways to keep their cats calm and comfortable during flights. Kennedy's story highlights an innovative approach that other pet owners can consider when flying with their feline companions.

The details

Kennedy had originally planned to give Primrose the prescribed gabapentin medication to help calm her nerves, but the last-minute flight change prevented her from administering it properly. As Primrose started meowing on the plane, Kennedy quickly placed an iPad inside the carrier and played 'Games for Cats & Kitty', which featured small mice running around the screen. Within 5 minutes, Primrose had calmed down and fallen asleep, curled up on the iPad for most of the flight.

  • Kennedy's original flight was scheduled for January 29.
  • Kennedy's flight was moved up after her grandmother passed away earlier than expected.

The players

Katie Kennedy

The owner of a 7-month-old British shorthair cat named Primrose, who had to unexpectedly fly with her cat after a family emergency.

Primrose

Kennedy's 7-month-old British shorthair cat who accompanied her on the unexpected flight.

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What’s next

Kennedy plans to continue using the iPad trick to calm Primrose during future flights, and other pet owners may consider adopting a similar approach when traveling with their cats.

The takeaway

Kennedy's creative solution to soothe her cat during an unexpected and stressful flight highlights the importance of being prepared and adaptable when traveling with pets. Her story has inspired other pet owners to consider using technology like tablets to help calm their feline companions during air travel.