Some pet owners may be tempted to discipline an anxious cat, either out of confusion or anger, but this is the wrong way to approach feline anxiety. September 23, 2020 September 23, 2020 Author. Generally, we can differentiate various types of anxiety in people. Warning: This article, “10 ways to treat anxiety in cats”, is purely informative. Isolate a kitten and you’ll have a feral cat. If your cat regularly gets stressed or anxious, there are some tips and tricks you can do to make sure your kitty is as happy and calm as possible. If you sense that something is off with your furry friend, visit your vet. This treatment is preferred if a cat is afraid of vets, but recently it became more popular among the owners looking to treat anxiety in the new cats. Scratching is a very normal cat behavior. If you use Feliway, a natural calming pheromone, spray some just before you go. As a pet owner, you are probably in tune with your cat’s regular behavior, and know when something is amiss. Put a few drops on your hands and rub the cat’s head and ears, or put a drop or two on your finger and touch the cat’s lips. In contrast, cat phobias are habitual fears of a specific situation or object. The pheromones in cat calming collars mimic those that mother cats produce to calm and soothe kittens, and they can also help to calm adult kitties. Your veterinarian will work with you to come up with an individualized treatment plan based on what will be the best fit for you and your cat. From there, you can come up with an appropriate course of action that is best suited for your cat. Keep him stimulated with catnip toys, food puzzles, cat grass, and window-watching spots. It’s true! Other potential causes of cat anxiety can include new or moved furniture, new pet or baby in the home, or even a new home. Receive 25% off your next order when you share your testimonial with us! Cats can get bored easily. Treating Cat Anxiety www.thesprucepets.com/reducing-anxiety-in-cats-554064. Buy food toys– These are toys that look … Anxiety 3 Steps to Treat Your Anxiety Using CBT “I feel it, so it must be true.” But feelings are not facts. Any underlying medical conditions need to be treated as well. Some cat experts argue that once a phobia is realized, anything associated with that phobia will result in a similar response. Shaping works through gradual approximations and allows the cat to be rewarded at first for any behavior that resembles the desired end result. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Make sure that the anxiety isn’t rooted into a more serious health problem. Because of that, it is important to know how your cat responds to stress, when they are feeling anxious, and what is causing this anxiety. Some of the most common symptoms of cat anxiety include: This may be one of the most common symptoms of cat anxiety because urination is a natural way for cats, and other animals, to mark their territory. How to Treat Your Cat’s Anxiety If your cat is exhibiting anxious behavior, talk to your veterinarian. Some of the activities that you can adopt include: 1. There are a few ways experts treat anxiety in cats, including behavior training, medication or supplements, and environmental enrichment, or a combination of these approaches. Cats are such fastidious creatures that they don’t want to step into a dirty litter box too often—leading to urinating and defecating outside of the litter box, or potentially life-threatening lower urinary diseases. Start (or continue) a daily routine of exercise and play with your cat. Separation anxiety can be the root of many unwanted behaviors, and reducing your cat’s anxiety will keep them happier, healthier, and less destructive when you leave home. From there, you can tailor your treatment plan to suit your cat’s specific needs. Learn more about what cat anxiety is, which symptoms can occur, and how to go about treating your anxious cat. 3. Anxiety is somewhat common in felines, yet often overlooked due to the wide range of symptoms that may arise. Cats may also defecate in other areas … The wrong way is to shout at your cat and get frustrated I would really advise cat parents to never take this approach and to have patience Shouting at your cat will only increase the problem and make things worse. They enjoy being fed at similar times every day, usually eat about the same amount every day, and thrive off of healthy routine. These phobias are not always rational, but illicit a response in a fearful kitty. The first thing you need to do is establish the origins of your cat's anxiety. How to Treat Separation Anxiety in Cats There are many different things you can try to minimise your cat’s anxiety when you are apart, including: Change the routine around your coming and going – don’t make a big deal of petting him and saying goodbye when you leave, and leave him alone for 15 minutes when you get home. The cat follows me around and I'm his favorite person. Cat Anxiety: How to Recognize & Treat It. Get To Know Your Cat. Even 15 minutes a day with a laser pointer or wand toy will help your cat get the exercise he needs while reducing his stress. CBD is an anxiolytic and can help calm feelings of fear or stress and treat symptoms of anxiety in cats. Anxiety is the feeling of worry, nervousness or unease caused by perceived dangers. I thought it was fleas but I havent seen a single one and shes been treated. Some cats can be treated easily for their anxiety while it can be more complex for others. Tests may include a urinalysis (if your cat is urinating in the house), testing a stool sample (if your cat is defecating in the house), and blood tests. The common side effects of this medication include drowsiness and lethargy. How to Treat Anxiety in Cats. Don’t be afraid to ask your vet for advice. Shaping is a learning technique that works well for cats that do not know what response is desired by the trainer. Changes in the environment in which a cat lives are often the cause of stress, which if maintained over time can lead to a picture of generalized anxiety and neurotic behaviors in the animal. Distract Your Cat However, if none of them work, you can head to your veterinarian for help and potentially get medication for your cat. Never give medication without consulting a vet and always give the prescribed dose. See your vet to rule out any underlying medical problems. We invite you to bring your animal to the veterinarian if it presents the symptoms of a fever or a disease. You may notice that your cat changes their usual routine in some way (usually to avoid situations that may increase their anxiety levels). With the rise of natural calming supplements for pets, you have your choice of many natural treatments for your anxious cat: If all else fails, talk to your vet about prescription cat anxiety medication. + Get a coupon for 30% off a future order. How to Treat Your Cat’s Anxiety . Anxiety can be very bad for your cat’s health. “How to Reduce Anxiety Levels in Your Cat.” The Spruce Pets, Accessed 2 Nov. 2016. The researchers noted that CBD exhibited anti-anxiety … Some of these quirks include fears and anxious behavior, which can manifest themselves in a variety of different ways. 1. Feliway is a natural calming pheromone that mimics your cat’s “happy” pheromones. This safe space is also important for cats with noise phobias (fireworks, thunderstorms, vacuums, etc.). If you have 3 cats, you need 3+1 litter boxes (a total of 4). They may diagnose the type of behavior and help you come up with a treatment plan with positive reinforcement and helpful supplements. Following that, you’ll need to try to get to the bottom of what is causing your cat’s anxiety. 2. And just like humans, they have their own personalities and quirks. Rude straight up rude. I thought it was fleas but I havent seen a single one and shes been treated. Before you can solve the problem, you must identify it. Other Ways To Help A Cat Showing Signs of Stress or Anxiety. Does CBD Oil Work to Help With Cat Anxiety? Pick up your keys and set them back down Open and close the door Walk out of the door and come back in, gradually increasing the amount of time you stay outside Eventually, your cat will see those activities as normal and not react with anxiety. It is vital to understand more about cat anxiety, as well as different symptoms that could happen so that you can learn how to notice signs that something is wrong with her. Your cat may start to avoid certain areas of the home at particular times of day or avoid them all together. www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/behavioral/c_ct_fear_phobia_anxiety. This drug is given to the cat once a day. If your kitty is usually good at using the litter box and rarely has accidents, but starts urinating in other areas of the house, something may be making them anxious. How to calm an anxious cat Create a safe space. According to petMD, cat anxiety is defined as “the anticipation of future dangers from unknown or imagined origins that result in normal body reactions…associated with fear.” These anxieties are different than fear, which is an instinctual, normal behavior, and phobias, which are excessive fears of a specific situation. Neal, Brandi. Simple things like regular exercise, a consistent routine, and feeding them the right food can all improve behaviour. This is a stress-relieving behavior and may be a sign that the cat is anxious about something in their environment. Buy Our Products at Local Retailers & Veterinarians. At the same time, we will provide you different ways to treat the cat’s anxiety, which is an important consideration. Offer places for your cat to perch and hide. www.wagwalking.com/cat/condition/extreme-fear-anxiety. Reduce fights amongst your cats – If you have more than one feline in your house, you can separate them in case they keep on fighting. If your cat is showing signs of anxious behavior, go ahead and schedule a visit with your vet. At the same time, we will provide you different ways to treat the cat’s anxiety, which is an important consideration. Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Dogs and Cats. Put its favorite toys, a blanket, and some food and water in the safe space so it’s comfortable until it decides to come out. If your cat is anxious for a period of time, they may experience chronic stress. Here are some simple strategies that can help your feline relax when you have to be away. A dog or cat suffering from the problem of separation anxiety may exhibit different and destructive behavior. Being deprived of social and environmental exposure for the first 14 weeks of life or longer, A change in routine, often resulting in separation anxiety, A new situation, such as the introduction of a new household pet or baby, An illness, painful physical condition, or disease such as, Urinating or defecating outside of the litter box, Changes in eating or drinking, such as lack of appetite or eating too fast, Inappropriate scratching or destructive behavior. Cats do need time to adjust to new surroundings and Catnip does help in a transition, as it speeds up the process while avoiding anxiety. Meow do you do? 10 Ways to Help Keep Your Cat Calm. Last month I went on a week vacation with my family and my 2 cats were left at home (had someone coming to feed them and change litter) after we got home I noticed one of my cats was just very strange, hiding often and over grooming to the point she has sores. Chances are you’ve at least encountered one in your lifetime. According to PetMD, cat anxiety is most likely to develop at the onset of social maturity—12 to 36 months of age. he thumbs up. A cat with separation anxiety may follow the owner from room to room. Best Ways to Treat Anxiety Symptoms in Dogs and Cats. A past traumatic experience, such as physical abuse, neglect, abandonment, being caged for a prolonged period, etc. An example of this would be an abused cat who fears loud voices. How to treat separation anxiety in cats? Make your cat feel safe.. The fear and anxiety can also cause your cat to become aggressive towards … Playtime tire the cats and do not let it feel low, Schedule some time to play with your furball and never forget to cuddle with it whenever you have some time. Isolate a kitten and you’ll have a feral cat. “10 Signs Your Cat Has Anxiety & What You Can Do About It.” Bustle, 24 Aug. 2018, Accessed 2 Nov. 2016. On CatLicking we do not have the skills to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any diagnosis. Typically the cat does not have to be on these medications its entire life, just for a period of time to help the animal deal with stress. We’ll follow up with a 25% off coupon code! Locate trigger objects. Cat owners can then visit their veterinarians to rule out physical triggers and get advice about how to help a cat with anxiety. Cat Anxiety: How to Recognize & Treat It. Last month I went on a week vacation with my family and my 2 cats were left at home (had someone coming to feed them and change litter) after we got home I noticed one of my cats was just very strange, hiding often and over grooming to the point she has sores. Below is a round-up of common, wide-ranging cat anxiety symptoms: If you’re worried about your anxious cat, you should first make an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out possible illnesses and diseases that could be contributing to his symptoms. If you’re upset, then your cat may get upset. “3 Ways to Calm Your Anxious Cat.” Chewy, 15 Feb. 2018, Accessed 2 Nov. 2016. The important difference here is that anxiety is an ongoing condition (whereas fear and phobias are typically temporary). It’s true! Determine the Cause. Will) Well then get the zone started. Remember, treating cat anxiety will probably be a lesson in patience and trial and error. Felines are sensitive to some types of drugs, and every cat is different so you can do more harm than good. This feeling may increase to fear if a specific stimulus is confirmed, via the cat’s own mental assessment, to be dangerous. Since the noise from a thunderstorm can make your cat anxious, distract it with some background noise by turning on the television or radio. 3. Cat perches with visually stimulating views and a range of toys will all help to keep your cat busy while you’re away. Although the most common form of anxiety in cats is separation anxiety, there are many environmental, behavioral, and health factors that may contribute to the disorder. Fluoxetine is used to treat urinating in inappropriate places, separation anxiety, compulsive chewing, circling, self-mutilation and aggression. However, never give your pets regular marijuana, which contains THC. This may be one of the most common symptoms of cat anxiety because urination is a natural way for cats, and other animals, to mark their territory. Plug in a Feliway diffuser in any room where your cat spends a lot of time, or spray it on any spot where your cat has urinated, scratched, or engaged in destructive behavior. Make sure you scoop daily and follow the n+1 rule: If you have 1 cat, you need n+1 litter boxes (in other words, 2). From there, you can come up with an appropriate course of action that is best suited for your cat. Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Find out if CBD oil can help relieve your cat from anxiety. Similar to creating a safe space, you’ll want to make sure your cat has enough environmental enrichment while you’re away to stay distracted from ensuing anxieties. Some of the symptoms of separation anxiety in pets include: ... Best Ways to Treat Anxiety Symptoms in Dogs and Cats. Provide playtime and enrichment. As always, if you suspect that something is wrong with your cat, visit your vet immediately and seek professional help. Through clicker training, play, and treats, along with positive reinforcement and praise, a negative object or event can slowly become neutral and acceptable. If you treat it like it’s routine, your pet will learn to do the same. In a study published in PLoS ONE, the authors found that the most common sign of cat anxiety was destructive behavior.Two in every three cats showed signs of stress when left alone (1). To sum it up, there are treatments we found to be the best in treating cat anxiety: Herb remedies (Valerian, Catnip and Flower tinctures) Safe spot method; Cuddling method; SOURCES: https://canna-pet.com/cat-anxiety-comprehensive-guide/ https://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/cat-behavior-problem … Anxiety can be environmentally managed. Posted Jun 03, 2019 How Can You Treat Anxiety in Cats? I think it is important to keep them happy with their environment with cat toys, trees, beds and goodies so that when you do have to leave them, they are less anxious and know that you will return. If a cat drastically changes their eating or drinking behavior, they may be anxious about something in their environment. Some effective ways to help treat your cat’s anxiety include: Using Natural Supplements Like CBD. Treating Cat Anxiety with CBD Oil CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce anxiety in cats and improve their overall well-being. This works for all kinds of anxiety, including phobias. Learn to recognize what, if anything, is triggering your cat’s anxiety and try the tips listed above. Information contained or made available through the Canna-Pet® website is not intended to constitute or substitute for legal advice or veterinary advice. Start by involving your veterinarian, especially if your cat shows worrisome signs like urinating outside of the box, excessive grooming, missing patches of hair, vomiting, excessive vocalization and appetite loss. He or she may want to prescribe something more short-term like gabapentin, or a longer-time resolution such as buspirone or amitriptyline. It never hurts to see your vet on a regular basis to bring up any changes or concerns you may have. How to Treat Cat Anxiety. Let your vet determine if cat anxiety medication is necessary to ease the symptoms. They view this situation as a “fight or flight” scenario, which is their innate survival mechanism. My boyfriend and I think our cat has separate anxiety because he peed on our bed twice. Give her some toys and allow them to feel free to play with you. There are many natural, non-medicated approaches to helping your cat deal with anxiety. 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