Cats are endowed with an extremely sensitive nervous system. Despite their independent and proud appearance, animals can experience stress in adverse situations and react violently to some moments in their lives. Any, even insignificant, at first glance, factor can provoke such behavior. Disturbances in behavior can be caused by moving, prolonged illness, castration, a change in habitual surroundings, or a trip in a car. The pet may experience increased anxiety, aggression, or withdrawal. In this case, veterinarians recommend using a sedative for the cat. However, not all breeders understand when it is necessary to offer an animal a drug, which one is better to choose and what to pay attention to. Let us further consider the causes of stress in a cat, its manifestations and the best means to relieve it.
Causes of the problem
Stress in a cat can manifest itself from a variety of factors. Often the cause is the owners themselves, who tear off the pet from its usual habitat, scare it with noisy household appliances or allow children to mess with their pet.
Despite the fact that the cat is a very independent animal, it certainly needs care and affection. The pet will not tolerate disrespect and rudeness. Therefore, often with insufficient attention, the animal becomes uncontrollable and signs of anxiety appear. If the cat has access to the street, then there are plenty of reasons for stress. Animals can not divide the territory, fight with dogs, be afraid of the explosion of firecrackers and fall into the hands of evil people. In any case, if the first symptoms of a nervous condition are detected, you need to choose a sedative for the cat. But in order not to confuse the symptoms with other problems, it is worth knowing how anxiety manifests itself in a pet.
How does stress appear in a cat?
Usually a loving and caring owner, the owner immediately notices that something is wrong with his pet. Signs of stress include:
- unexplained aggression;
- excessive anxiety;
- inappropriate behavior even in a familiar environment;
- refusal of feed;
- attempts to constantly sit in a dark corner;
- pursuit of the owner and the demand for increased attention;
- constant meowing or hissing.
If the animal, which was previously gentle and tame, suddenly began to break out and growl sharply, then it is necessary to offer him a sedative. For a cat, the reception will not be complicated if the right remedy is chosen that she will like.
Cats at the first signs of stress can begin to mark the corners, even if they did not do it before, crap in the wrong places. At the same time, many animals intensively lick wool.
When the reception is justified
A sedative for a cat will bring only a positive result if the admission is justified. So, in order not to provoke undesirable behavior, it is necessary to consult about taking the drug in the following cases:
- before the upcoming operation (castration, sterilization, routine vaccinations and other therapeutic actions);
- before the participation of the animal in the exhibition;
- before moving, traveling by car or other public transport;
- when you need to give your pet for a temporary overexposure;
- if a large number of people are planning to enter the house or if global repairs are planned.
Of course, the owner can prescribe sedatives for cats with stress on their own. However, it will be better if a specialist does this, after examining the animal for other problems.
It is worth considering that uncastrated pets during the period of sexual hunting may also have undesirable behavioral factors. At this time, aggression and strong excitement naturally occur, which is the norm. To control the pet's behavior at this point, a sedative for cats is also shown. The reviews of the breeders indicate that the animal becomes calmer, meows less and does not look tense. Similar remedies act similarly on cats during estrus.
Veterinarians and breeders know that animals cannot tolerate any travel on vehicles. They begin to fuss, are anxious and can even escape from the hands. Therefore, before traveling it is always necessary to offer the pet a sedative.
Variety of choices
When deciding what kind of sedative to give a cat, it should be borne in mind that drugs intended for humans are not recommended for animals. Veterinary pharmaceuticals offers a wide variety of products that do not adversely affect the health of the pet, but gently affect its nervous system. The following types of drugs are considered the most effective and popular:
- Cat mint. You can buy it at a veterinary pharmacy. Usually it is packaged in small bags and is a medicinal plant, the smell of which attracts cats. The tool is also found in the form of a spray. For a soothing effect, it is necessary to sprinkle the contents of the sachet or spray the spray in your favorite feline places. The smell has a beneficial effect on an excited animal, and the product is absolutely safe.
- Drops. The most popular form of taking the drug. The composition of the product often includes synthetic pheromones, which under favorable circumstances are produced by the brain of the animal. They give a signal to the nervous system that there is no reason to panic. Drops are especially effective in cases where it is necessary to prepare the cat for a trip or make it go out to people after experiencing stress.
- Diffusers. Outwardly resemble insect repellers. Their work requires a network connection, while the device sprays drug molecules into the air. As a result, the room is filled with aroma, which has a beneficial effect on the nervous system of the cat and gives the belief in the absence of irritating factors.
- Collars The soothing cat collar is saturated with synthetic pheromones. The smell relieves symptoms of stress, reduces aggression, eliminates nervousness and excessive anxiety.
In a veterinary pharmacy you can also find sedatives in the form of emulsions, tablets, solutions and capsules. Therefore, any breeder will be able to choose exactly the form of release that is ideal in each case.
The principle of the action of sedatives on the animal
Soothing for cats under stress can have a natural or chemical composition. If the former are based on a cumulative effect, the latter act almost immediately. However, any chemicals can cause side effects. Therefore, choosing a sedative for cats, at home, you should strictly adhere to the recommendations listed in the instructions, and if undesirable effects occur, stop taking immediately.
Many breeders in their reviews note that while taking sedatives, cats become more balanced, signs of anxiety and aggression disappear. However, there are cases when a sedative causes a reverse reaction or does not work at all. In this case, you should contact your veterinarian.
It is important to understand that it is better to start taking sedatives before the onset of a stressful situation in order to avoid nervous exhaustion in the pet. But when taking should strictly follow the proposed dosage. Excess can cause nausea, drowsiness, diarrhea, vomiting, a sharp drop in pressure and drowsiness.
Best sedatives for cats
The most effective, popular and harmless drugs that are guaranteed to return the animal to its former calm and confidence are the following:
- "Cat Baiyun";
- Fiteks;
- "Stop stress";
- Fospasim;
- "Sex Barrier";
- Xylazine.
Consider their features, the principle of operation and reviews of breeders.
The drug based on medicinal herbs "Cat Bayun"
Soothing drops for cats are often made from medicinal herbs. This approach is the safest and at the same time quite effective. "Cat Bayun" in its composition has 17 different extracts of herbs. Their use in the complex provides a potent and lasting effect. Judging by the instructions, the remedy must begin to be offered to the animal 5-7 days before the start of the alleged stressful situation.
The drug is available in the form of tablets and solution. In this case, tablets can be given even to young cats from 10 months. Judging by the reviews, the tool is quite effective. Often helps out if necessary transporting the animal to the country. The cat feels calm, does not break, and lies calmly in the hands of the owner. Many breeders offer Cat Bayun drops after sterilization or castration of the animal. Pets do not show signs of anxiety, noticeably quicker recover, and anxiety goes away. Veterinarians advise the drug also during estrus and sexual hunting. At the same time, animals behave more calmly and steadily.
The drug is on the list of the best because of the completely natural composition, pleasant aroma and low price. Usually cats eat pills well, or they can easily be masked in the usual food.
Natural Fiteks
The drug also consists only of medicinal herbs. However, the manufacturer releases it exclusively in the form of drops. The extracts of herbs that make up the composition have a calming effect, normalize the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. In this case, the drug has an anticonvulsant effect and stabilizes blood pressure.
Drops are recommended for two to three weeks. However, in the list of contraindications appears low blood pressure. In other cases, Fiteks does not cause side effects and, according to the opinion of the owners of cats, it is well tolerated. Breeders like that drops are easy to give to a pet. After taking a clear calming effect.
Nootroponic Stop-Stress
Sedatives for cats with aggression often include not only medicinal herbs. Sometimes this is not enough. The drug "Stop-stress" contains phenibut, which has a pronounced nootropic effect.
The drug is available in the form of drops and is aimed at eliminating the following symptoms:
- fear, anxiety and tension;
- aggression;
- irritability.
"Stop stress" normalizes cerebral circulation and increases the animal's resistance to stress.
Cat sedatives for estrus are often recommended. This drug has worked well. The reviews indicate that the exchange rate significantly reduces the anxiety of the cat, reduces its excitability and generally has a positive effect.
Homeopathic "Phospasim"
Often, veterinarians are asked what kind of sedatives cats can. Among the completely harmless, but quite effective is the homeopathic medicine "Fospasim". It contains only mineral components, extracts of herbs and organic substances. Moreover, all these components are in microscopic doses. However, judging by the reviews of the breeders, the sedative effect occurs rather quickly and lasts a long time, in contrast to the usual herbal tinctures.
The drug is in the form of drops. Solutions for intramuscular injection are also available. The effect after the injection is observed almost instantly, the drops also act very quickly. No wonder the drug is on the list of the best, because its use does not cause side effects, and the action is immediately visible.
Hormonal "Sex Barrier"
Soothing for cats in heat require immediate action. In this case, you can use the hormonal drug "Sex Barrier", which effectively reduces the manifestation of natural instincts in the animal. However, you should carefully monitor your pet. Veterinarians often point out that if a pet’s behavior changes during estrus, it becomes uncontrollable and aggressive, it’s best to consider a sterilization or castration operation.
According to breeders and experts, the drug has a pronounced effect. The behavior of animals is changing for the better. However, its use is justified only in extreme cases. The fact is that taking hormonal drugs can cause malfunctions in the normal functioning of the body, so it is better to choose a sedative for cats during estrus together with a veterinarian.
The best sedative based on chemistry - "Xylazine"
Sometimes conventional sedatives for cats are not able to cope with the problem. If the animal has suffered a serious illness or surgery is required, the specialist can prescribe a course of sedatives in the form of injections.
"Xylazine" in its composition has a synthetic compound of thiazine. The injection noticeably calms the pet before manipulation, before a long trip or after prolonged stress. Depending on the dose, it may have an analgesic property. Usually, the doctor calculates the dosage based on the weight of the cat and the desired effect. In this case, you can achieve the following result:
- soothing;
- sedation and decreased muscle tone;
- anesthetic;
- sedation and immobilization.
The use of the drug is possible only under the full supervision of a veterinarian and with all precautions.
Conclusion
Sometimes even animals can be very stressed. Such a phenomenon can not be ignored, otherwise the consequence may be a serious illness requiring long-term treatment. Therefore, at the first signs of this condition and for preventive purposes, it is necessary to choose a mild sedative for the cat.