Easing Anxiety in Cats

Got a feline who seems to want to spend 24-7 with you? Who howls, pulls out her hair when you’re not around?

Yes, file this under strange but true: dogs aren’t the only companion animals that can suffer from separation anxiety. As aloof as some may view felines, they can also form fast friendships with their people - or favorite furry pal in the home.

In fact, the general field of feline anxiety is garnering more attention these days by veterinarians and animal behaviorists. With cats outnumbering dogs in American homes 90 million to 74 million, the people-cat bond is strengthening. Cats don’t wear their emotions on their paws as transparently as dogs do, but some do wrestle with general anxiety that can elevate their stress levels and impact their physical – and mental well-being.

Unlike (most) humans, cats can’t tell us how they feel, so they express their emotions through their actions. Anxious cats may exhibit stress by boycotting the litter box, howling loudly and incessantly or lashing out at the poor family pup. They may suddenly   “go underground” and spend hours and days under the bed or deep inside the bedroom closet. They may start spraying the walls to convey their displeasure with the addition of another cat to the house or missing their favorite two-legger in the house who is off at college.  The death of a feline pal can also trigger signs of separation anxiety in the surviving cat.

There’s even a stress-related term for anxious cats who over groom and create bald patches on their coats – psychogenic alopecia. You see, cats normally groom as a way to not only keep their coats looking shiny, but also as a way to calm themselves – much like a dog does when he chews on a bone. But when they are stressed, they can groom to excess and cause not only bald patches but also self-chewing bite marks on their skin.

Here’s a news flash: anti-depressants rank as among the most widely prescribed medications for people and now veterinarians are finding the need to prescribe these drugs to stressed-out cats. If a veterinarian rules out any possible physical condition or disease after a complete exam, the next step is to discuss treatment options for anxiety.

Among the at-home behavior modification options are:
• Tweaking the household routine so that you don’t make a big to-do with your cat when you leave for work each morning.
• Offering your cat a keep-busy toy before you leave to provide physical and mental stimulation.
• Hiding tasty treats – like pieces of cooked chicken or tuna in the house for your cat to stalk and snack on while you’re away from home.
• Ignoring your cat for about 15 minutes once you come home to minimize the impact of your return to your cat.  
• Providing window perches, sturdy cat trees, and play-along toys for your cat to occupy her mind and body.
• Turning on the TV or radio to offer “background noise” for the cat so she doesn’t feel so alone.

In addition to these behavior changes, you might want to try an over-the-counter herbal-based calming formula or a pheromone spray to help them deal with the stressors causing their anxiety.

If these efforts are not successful in keeping your cat calm, ask to your veterinarian if your cat might benefit from calming medications on a temporary basis until their anxiety can be put under control. Common drugs prescribed for feline anxiety include buspirone, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, clomipramine, paroxetine, sertaline and selegiline.

According to national studies, about 70 percent of cats with anxiety need anti-depressant drugs to improve their behaviors. Still, like most medications, these can cause side effects. In cats, some experience no side effects while others can display withdrawn personalities or experience reduced appetites.

That’s why it is vital to work with your veterinarian closely and monitor your cat’s blood chemistry, especially liver values – every few months while they are on these medications. Together, you and your veterinarian can bring a sense of calm – and confidence – to your anxious cat.
Article by Dr. Jeff Weber, DVM