Top Natural Remedies for Stress in Cats
I've had a major set-back in trying to integrate our newly-rescued Jenny into our household of male cats. Jenny lived on the street the first year of her life, and as she grew, she was constantly tormented by other cats, a couple of which I suspect to be her brothers. As a result, she has an ingrown fear of other cats. While Joey and Billy are mildly interested in her, our alpha cat Jaspurr views her as a threat to his territory, and seems determined to terrorize her, if not to do her actual bodily harm. I have resorted to ordering several Bach Flower Essences for both Jaspurr and Jenny, in the hopes they will help calm down their natural instincts, and will report on our progress in future blogs. Until then, Jenny remains safely behind my bedroom door, while Jaspurr has the run of the house.
Photo of Jenny © Franny Syufy
Stress and anxiety in cats can come from other sources, including environmental changes and emotional or physical stress. It is important to first rule out illness as a cause, and to do whatever possible to make environmental changes. However, there are times when natural remedies such as herbs, flower essences, or homeopathic remedies may help in reducing cats' stress and anxiety. Introduce only one remedy at a time, and check with your veterinarian first before trying any of these products.
Comments
I give my cat a little bit of beer in her bowl. It may sound drastic, but it really does work and she sleeps well too. The trick is to not put too much into the water or you’ll get a sick kitty
Hi Franny:
I have a similar problem with 2 of my male cats. Both are rescues. Calvin is 9, Simon is 1 and a half. Calvin was constantly harassing Simon, which culminated in him actually biting Simon, which resulted in our taking Simon to an emergency vet for treatment (luckily, a minor wound which cleaning and antibiotic treatment resolved). Calvin also started inappropriately urinating outside the box (both boys are neutered) After that incident, I took Calvin to my vet (this was in November) and she put him on prozac. This has worked.
GG is afraid of thunder storms we get during our monsoon season, so the vet suggested that we try Composure.
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It’s not a drug but an amino acid used for transporting horses, and to calm dogs and cats and other show animals for transport.
It really really helps her not to be quite as afraid of the thunder. She still gets upset, but she doesn’t hide under the bed for 4 or 5 hours like she did. She still goes under the bed, but comes out as soon as the thunder is over.
I’ve also used it to calm Buster down when he’s overly rambunctious and hurting the other cats when he plays….and when they were young and I was training them to sleep through the night and know that bedtime means settle down and go to sleep. It works very well for us.
It’s great stuff and they like the taste.
i had the exact same problem w/ this cat i got from a bad scene. my other cats gave him the BLUES. i had to get a book and learned it is actually a disordermilo is an outcast her word is pariah and the solution she suggested was to put him on the highest perch in the house where he could see every angle.
i did this and within a week he was in the family and now torments- playfully, i think, the very cats whom were giving him a hard time. i was at my wits end! after six months of my best efforts i almost gave him up but i am so glad i disdn’t. I also had a female declawed that i just could not socialize. she looks a lot like your kitty. i did have to place her.