Treatments for Anxiety in a Cat

Cat anxiety can often be the result of environmental stress. There are several situations that may contribute to your cat's anxiety level: changes in the home environment, such as moving to a new house or redecorating; introducing a new family member, such as a baby or another pet; or the loss of a family member due to death or divorce. Domestic changes as small as moving furniture can cause feline stress. Separation anxiety occurs when owners are away and is not uncommon in cats. Some cats become disturbed when their owners leave, causing them to hide, urinate or defecate outside of their litter box or scratch furniture.

  1. Identifying Cat Anxiety

    • If your cat is suffering from cat anxiety, it is important to seek your vet's opinion, since symptoms of cat anxiety often indicate other illnesses. If your cat is showing changes in behavior that include pacing, meowing, weight loss, lethargy, urinating or defecating throughout the house, loss of affection, shyness or vomiting, she could be suffering from cat anxiety. Your vet may run tests to rule out other problems.

    Drug Treatments

    • There are two types of drugs that vets generally prescribe for feline anxiety: psychotropic drugs and pheromones. By changing the levels of serotonin or dopamine, these drugs often rapidly result in behavioral changes. Though effective, these drugs are for daily use, not just for use in stressful situations. They may alter your cat's energy level and personality.

      There are several natural supplements available to reduce your cat's stress. In most cases, they are less effective, cost less and have fewer side effects. You should ask your vet which of these supplements to try.

    Environmental Treatments

    • Exercise is important for cats.

      Before turning to medication to ease your cat's anxiety, try making changes around the house. Add a new scratching post or ensure your cat has a place to relax with an outside view. Leave the radio on when you go out. Purchase some new cat toys and spend some time playing with your cat. Exercise can decrease stress and is also good for physical health.

      Don't make a big production about leaving or coming home. Leave a catnip toy or one of your cat's favorite toys out when you leave and remove it when you come home.

    Praise Your Cat's Good Behavior

    • When attempting to keep your cat calm under stressful conditions, it is important to use positive reinforcement. Praise him often rather than punishing him for poor behavior, and be patient--these things often take time.