"Calming Medicine" (over the counter, natural) for senior cats?

Question

OK, so, a few months ago I made a post that I was worried about my (then) 17yo indoor kitty.she is such a part of the family I feel like listing her on forms I fill out about # of members in residence. I work from home so obviously I spend more time around her. I asked about her nonstop meowing , y'all helped by explaining this is normal for senior cats in their last couple years (sigh)but the meowing is getting worse. I can tell she's a little confused, BUT she knows where her food, water, favorite sleeping spots, litter box are, never has an accident Her meowing is nowwhere, if I'm not w/in 10 yards of her (& she is awake), she will cry non-stop til I pick her up. I have to get up at night several times when she meows loudly and mournfully until I go tell her I'm here.At Petsmart they have things like chamomille 'calmtabs' or something for 'agitated cats'. My husband said NO, I explained it wasn't like Xanax or something, might help. Has anyone tried it w/success?details please..TY!

Answer 1

I don't feel this is a case for Feliway. What's bothering your cat isn't intra-cat related and doesn't have anything to do with the issues that can be addressed with that spray.

I would look into Rescue Remedy or go to: www.spiritessence.com and look into an essence that Dr. Jean Hovfe has called "Graceful Aging". It sounds like it might be right on for you. Dr. Hovfe uses many of the Bach flower essences in her formulations like the ones in Rescue Remedy and is quite creative in coming up with her mixtures to deal with specific problems. It costs the same as the RR would. You get it through the mail with instructions for use. I just quibble with Dr. Hovfe in that she says to put in food or water when all that is necessary is to put the drops on the fur between the cats ears. Cats will not like it in their food and they don't drink enough water to float a toy boat. It is just as effective when used externally.

Answer 2

Cats go senile just like humans. She gets lost and forgets where she is and that is frightening for her. Try putting up one of those baby pens and keep her close to you, that way she can't wander off and get lost and scared. That's what I did when this started happening to my cat. She was blind by that point though. I only had a few more weeks with her before I let her go.
I'd try the natural supplements. At this point it can't hurt anything.
I'm so sorry, I went through this so I know how hard it is. Be patient.
Good Luck

Answer 3

I have not used Calmtabs, but I have used something similar. I give my cat Rescue Remedy before trimming his nails so that he doesn't stress so much. Without it he is nearly impossible to hold. I used to have to wrap him in a towel, keeping his head covered, while he growled and hissed through the whole process. Now he isn't thrilled with it, but he doesn't hiss until the last nail or two and can be held without using a towel.

At Petsmart, look for Comfort Zone, too. It has a synthetic pheromone that relaxes cats.

Answer 4

There's a product called "rescue remedy" that I always hear a local herbal nutritionist talking about. Have not used it myself with animals, but at least having a name may help you do research. You are so kind to be dealing with your senior cat - wish you luck!

Answer 5

I got some calms for cats

Answer 6

Don't give your cat medicine. You can purchase plug-ins similiar to the ones Glade makes that distribute a calming pheromone. These have done wonders for my dominant male. You can also try lavender oil, but I don't know if that actually works. I know from experience that the pheromone does.

Here's some more info on it:

Feliway® Cat Pheromone Spray Now Available As A Plug-In
Veterinarian Recommended Product is Easy to Use and Calms Cats Naturally

Received 11-15-02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gina DePinto [phone]
[e-mail]



PHOENIX, Ariz. (Sept. 30, 2002) - When a cat rubs his face against you, he is using facial pheromones to communicate comfort and well being in his surroundings. If a cat is exposed to negative situations such as moving, hospitalization or introduction of another pet into the household, he may resort to marking objects with urine or scratching furniture to show his displeasure. This type of negative behavior is a challenge for pet owners and one of the most common reasons given for relinquishment of cats.

Careful observation of cats revealed that they do not leave urine marks on objects previously marked with facial pheromones. Six years ago, veterinarians introduced a synthetic version of these naturally occurring facial pheromones in a spray called Feliway®. The product mimics the feline's positive facial pheromones and can be used to calm the pet in stressful situations. When sprayed onto objects in the cat's environment, Feliway counteracts the animal's alarm pheromones and stops urine marking and vertical scratching.

Although the Feliway spray is highly effective, it must be sprayed twice daily for 30 days - a schedule that may be challenging to comply with. Now pet owners can take comfort in knowing that, even if they miss a day of spray, their cat can continue to reap the benefits of Feliway. The product is now available as a convenient plug-in.

The Feliway plug-in offers a no-hassle way for pet owners to calm their cats. Just attach the Feliway bottle to the plug-in diffuser, plug it into an electric socket in the room most used by the cat, and continue use for four weeks to ensure no relapse in marking behavior. One bottle of Feliway will cover a total surface area of 650-square-feet. Clinical studies with Feliway show a 95 percent success rate in reducing or eliminating spraying by cats.

"Spraying is one of the most common problems with cats, both male and female," says Wayne Hunthausen, D.V.M., director of Animal Behavior Consultations (Kansas). "There can be several reasons for the behavior, from a new animal in the household to other changes in the home."

Hunthausen notes that pet owners should talk to their veterinarian when attempting to determine why cats are not using their litter boxes. "There are medical reasons why cats don't use their litter boxes," said Hunthasen. "You also need to rule out problems with the type of litter, the box's location and how often it's being cleaned."

Once these physical and environmental causes of urine spraying have been eliminated, Hunthausen recommends Feliway. "This product makes a cat more comfortable in its environment," he says. "Because cats detect a calming scent, the need to mark with urine is eliminated. For many cats, Feliway is a lifesaver."

According to the Humane Society of the United States, 10 million animals are relinquished to animal shelters every year, and half of them are euthanized. Many people bring their cats to shelters because they don't get along with other animals in the household and soil the house. Studies have shown that use of the Feliway plug-in results in a 70 percent reduction in urine spraying in multi-cat households.

Feliway spray remains a viable option for those transporting, boarding, or traveling with cats. When it is not possible to use the Feliway plug-in due to mobile situations, pet owners can apply Feliway Spray directly onto pet carriers and in new temporary surroundings to help calm their cats.

Not to discriminate against dogs, D.A.P.™, a dog appeasing pheromone plug-in, enters the market this fall. Feliway and D.A.P. plug-ins are marketed through veterinarians by Veterinary Products Laboratories, and through specialty pet retailers by Farnam Pet Products under the brand name Comfort Zone™ with D.A.P. and Comfort Zone™ with Feliway.

For more information about Comfort Zone Diffusers or Farnam Pet Products, go to farnampet.com or call toll free at [phone]. Veterinarians looking for information about D.A.P. and Feliway Diffusers or Veterinary Products Laboratories, go to vpl.com or call toll free at [phone].