What Medication Works if My Cat Has Anxiety

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Like humans, cats can experience anxiety. It may be hard for you to tell when your pet is experiencing anxiety, so it's important to note any new or unusual behaviors. This could be as subtle as a change in posture or as drastic as urinating on the carpet.

Anxiety in cats can be managed with medications, behavioral changes, or both. Depending on the cause of your cat's anxiety, your veterinarian might prefer one treatment over another.

Here, we'll discuss the anxiety treatment options for your cat.

What medications are used for cats with anxiety?

There are no FDA-approved anxiety medications for cats. But veterinarians may prescribe medications off-label for anxiety. The most common medications for cat anxiety are antianxiety medications and antidepressants. Your veterinarian will recommend the best medication for your cat based on their symptoms and what triggers their anxiety.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are a well-known antianxiety medication. They are most useful when your cat's anxiety is caused by specific triggers, such as loud noises. These medications act quickly for anxiety.

Examples of benzodiazepines used for cats include:

• Alprazolam (Xanax)

• Clorazepate (Tranxene)

• Diazepam (Valium)

• Oxazepam (Serax)

Some benzodiazepines may work better in certain situations. For example, oxazepam may work best for noise-related anxiety, such as thunderstorms or fireworks. Alprazolam may help reduce travel-related anxiety. Diazepam helps manage urine marking. But most cats return to spraying when they stop the medication.

The best benzodiazepine dose varies among cats. It may take some time to find the right dose for your pet. These medications typically take 1 to 2 hours to kick in. Most cats will appear very sleepy after taking a dose.

Being extra hungry and having trouble balancing are possible side effects of benzodiazepines in cats. Rarely, benzodiazepines can cause excitement instead of relieve anxiety.

Gabapentin

Gabapentin is another medication that can help cats with situational anxiety. Like benzodiazepines, gabapentin is most helpful for cats that have stress related to car travel, vet visits, or loud noises.

Gabapentin works best if you give it to your cat 2 to 3 hours before a stressful event. The most common side effects of gabapentin in cats include sedation, balance issues, and lack of energy. Any effects your cat experiences when taking gabapentin typically wear off after 8 to 12 hours.

Buspirone

Buspirone (Buspar) is another type of antianxiety medication. This one can be useful for cats with urine-marking problems. It can take up to 8 weeks for buspirone to work. The most common side effects of buspirone in cats is a rise in loving behavior, such as more purring and affectionate rubbing.

Other possible buspirone side effects for cats include:

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Lower appetite than usual

• Restless behavior

Tricyclic antidepressants

Antidepressants may be a good option if your cat has anxiety without any specific trigger. Many antidepressants take a few weeks to work for cats, and you need to give your cat these medications every day. But they provide longer-term relief than medications like benzodiazepines or gabapentin.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are one possible option for treating chronic anxiety in cats. TCAs raise the amount of norepinephrine and serotonin in the body. These hormones help regulate mood and anxiety. Clomipramine (Anafranil) and amitriptyline are examples of TCAs used for cats.

Side effects of TCAs for cats include:

• Drowsiness

• Constipation

• Dry mouth

• Dry eyes

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Weight gain

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are another group of antidepressants that can be used for anxiety in cats. SSRIs raise the amount of serotonin in the brain. These medications take 5 to 8 weeks to work for pets. You give these medications to your cat every day.

Examples of SSRIs for cats include:

• Fluoxetine (Prozac)

• Paroxetine (Paxil)

• Sertraline (Zoloft)

Appetite changes and stomach-related problems are common side effects of SSRIs. Rarely, these medications can cause seizures in cats. Contact your vet immediately if this happens after your cat starts an SSRI.

Over-the-counter medications for cat anxiety

No over-the-counter (OTC) medications are considered safe for cats. Giving your cat human OTC products can be dangerous because it's easy to give your cat too much. Common human OTC products - antihistamines such as Benadryl, supplements like melatonin - can be toxic to cats.

What can you do to help your cat calm down naturally?

Several natural products on the market claim to help calm your cat. But there is mixed evidence that these natural remedies work for feline anxiety. For example, feline pheromones have been studied but did not improve stress in shelter cats.

There are also calming diets and treats available for cats. There is some evidence that a calming diet supplemented with alpha-casozepine and L-tryptophan can help calm cats. But it wasn't helpful for all types of cat anxiety. Ask your vet before giving your cat natural products. They can determine what natural products might benefit your cat.

You can also try to help your cat using behavioral techniques. Pets are in tune with the emotions of their owner, so try to remain calm around your cat. Another option is to work with an animal behaviorist.

An animal behaviorist may use methods called desensitization and counter conditioning. These behavioral therapies help your cat adjust to anxiety triggers and provide them coping skills over time.

How can you prevent your cat from getting anxiety?

The best prevention for anxiety is understanding the reason for it. This can help you avoid situations that cause anxiety or help your cat adapt to them if they're unavoidable.

Cats crave routine and have some basic needs. They need to feel secure when they eat, drink, use the litter box, play, and explore.

Here are some ways to ensure these basic needs are met:

• Provide your cat with food in small amounts throughout the day.

• Place toys and treats inside for your cat, so they can pounce, play, and feel as if they are hunting.

• Interact with your cat, and give them ways to exercise.

• Consider adding cat perches or building something they can climb on, hide in, or scratch.

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