Suggestions on how to help alleviate 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 stress. Adjusting to new environments is something most felines don't do well. They appreciate a set routine.
Storms and loud noises send our felines into hiding, and most 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. Resources of attention, food and water must be shared and some have a hard time sharing and playing with others.
Some veterinarians are fans of pharmaceutical drugs like Elavil or Amitriptyline to help relieve some of that stress. 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, which has been traditionally found at health food stores and Whole Foods. The original product had more than 20% alcohol in it. It tasted terrible to our felines and, in reality, we were really making them just a little bit tipsy. So, 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 a 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, a product I have recently tried with some measure of success. It 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. The strips can be cut to size to fit any wound. Each strip is also individually wrapped.
Another suggested use for these strips might be on a recent surgical site to protect stitches. You can't find these strips in specialty pet stores, though. 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.
Upcoming
• Bulldog Ale House Fundraiser: Monday, Aug. 30, Bulldog Ale House, 1480 Golf Road, Rolling Meadows. Eat food and fundraise for The Buddy Foundation at the same time. The generous folks at Bulldog Ale House will donate 20% of total sales (pretax). All purchases must have the flyer found at www.thebuddyfoundation.org.
• Paws in the Park Charity Dog Walk: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, Melas Park, 1500 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect. The walk will raise funds for the operation expenses of the Buddy Foundation.
The registration fee of $35 allows you to walk one dog and you receive an event T-shirt and treat bag. Demonstrations, vendors and raffle ticket purchases are open to the public.
Dogs must be leashed at all times. All dogs must be current on vaccinations and proof of rabies vaccination is required (tag on collar). Owners are responsible for their own dog's activities and cleanup.
For information, visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.
• 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.