How to identify, relieve your feline's stress
How can you tell if your feline is under stress? Can you identify the source so you can eliminate or lessen it? The source of the stress will often dictate the remedy.
It is not difficult to identify some obvious sources of feline stress. Adjusting to new environments is something most felines don't do well. Our felines appreciate a set routine.
Storms and loud noises send our felines into hiding. Most felines do not travel well, especially when the car ride and carrier are associated with the veterinarian, boarding or the groomer.
Is your pet anxious when you leave the house and when you come home? Your buddy probably misses you so much he or she is suffering from separation anxiety. Some felines do not do well with the stress of a multi-cat household. Let's face it, some of us have small catteries. Resources of attention, food and water must be shared. However, some feline are like small children. They have a hard time sharing and playing with others.
Some veterinarians are fans of pharmaceutical drugs like Elavil or Amitriptyline. Strict monitoring of your pet's behavior and eating habits should be watched whenever trying a new drug.
There are certainly less drastic measures you can try to calm your feline. Herbal and flower remedy therapy should be considered, such as Rescue Remedy Pet. This product is different from similarly named Rescue Remedy that has been traditionally found at health food stores and Whole Foods. The original product had over 20 percent alcohol in it. It tasted terrible to our felines and in reality, we were really making them just a little bit tipsy. Of course we were modifying their behavior.
Feliway is another natural alternative. Although the product was initially thought of as a correctant for urinary issues, the product maker also suggests spraying it on bedding and inside pet carriers for less stress during travel. The usage makes sense because some felines do urinate inappropriately when under stress. The product also comes in a plug-in form.
Sometimes aggressive behavior due to stress can be redirected. I like the toy Kitty Kong to redirect aggression. It is body pillow for felines and they love to kick the heck out of it.
If you have tried to prevent destructive chewing behavior and nothing is working for you, your only resource may be to lessen severity and wounds with Anti-Lick Strip Prevent. It is a product I have recently tried with some measure of success. The product is made by Nurtured Pets and is available in most pet stores. This all-natural product helps alleviate skin irritations for all type of stressors from separation anxiety, behavioral issues or just plain boredom. The strips can be cut to size to fit any size wound. Each strip is also individually wrapped.
Another suggested use for these strips might be on a recent surgical site to prevent the stitches from being chewed on. You feline fanciers will be challenged to find the strips in specialty pet stores. I will give you a great tip: they are found down the dog grooming supply aisle.
Whatever way you are considering to relieve stress for your feline, please consult with your veterinarian to help you decide what is best. If nothing seems to work, you may need to ask your veterinarian about a prescription anti-anxiety medications. All felines respond differently. I must have tried three or four different prescriptions before my feline finally responded to Atopica.
• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 shelter. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.