Not every cat copes with stressful situations equally easily. For example, when an animal needs to be taken to the veterinarian, or to the country, or even to an exhibition. As a result of the move, the cat may become frightened and stressed, after which it will not be itself for several days. Obviously, to help the animal in this case we need sedatives for cats during transportation. Therefore, let’s look at what they are, what is worth using, and what is very undesirable.
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Calming for cats at home
There are two products that can be present in the house and act as a sedative on cats. However, the real result of their influence differs from that which can be seen in the behavior of the animal after their application. Let's find out why this is so.
Valerian for cats is not a sedative, but a drug!
If valerian acts as a sedative on a person, then for a cat it is a real drug. The fact is that the active substance of medicinal valerian (medical name for valerian) is similar to the pheromones of a cat during estrus. Because of this, it acts more like Viagra on cats, and even more so on cats, rather than as a sedative. In addition, already from the first time the cat begins to become addicted and dependent on valerian. The conclusion is simple - cats should never be given valerian!
Catnip is a weak version of valerian
You will often hear that catnip is a good sedative for cats. But in reality this is not the case, because it acts on the animal in exactly the same way as valerian, only several times weaker. That is, in essence, catnip does not act as a sedative on the cat, but only changes its behavior. In addition, if some animals love mint and rub quite near it, then it may not affect others (even in the form of a scattering of dried mint and in the form of a spray).
What to do and how to calm an animal meowing at night?
Above, we figured out why a cat yells for no reason at night, and now let’s talk about how to calm an agitated animal. Experienced breeders recommend:
- provide the animal with active games during the day, using toys for these purposes, both purchased in pet stores and made independently from scrap materials;
- in the evening, shortly before bedtime, feed the cat with meat delicacies - protein-rich food will help the animal begin to fall asleep, thanks to it the cat will not get hungry until the morning and will not wake up its owner.
If, despite the measures taken, the cat still continues to scream at night, then it’s time to show him to the veterinarian. A professional examination will let you know if your pet needs treatment or if it needs to be wormed to stop the nightly concerts.
Sedatives for cats
And so, we will not use “folk remedies” for cats as a sedative. Another thing is medical supplies. So, sedative tablets or drops will help when transporting a cat, during the cat’s heat, and during aggression. Therefore, let's look at popular, and most importantly, effective sedatives for cats.
Calming drops and tablets for cats
- "Fitex" for cats is available in the form of drops. If you are looking for a sedative for cats on the go , this product is perfect. It contains motherwort, valerian, hops and skullcap - this combination helps to normalize heart function and relieve the animal’s feeling of fear, so transporting the cat will become easier.
- “Stop-stress” for cats is available in the form of drops and tablets. This sedative for cats and cats normalizes the action of the animal’s brain (reducing activity in excitation cells). The product is quite strong, but does not cause addiction.
- “Cat Bayun” is a sedative for cats in the form of tablets and solution. First of all, it is intended to combat the aggressiveness of the animal (if the cat is constantly marking its territory, it is too nervous). This remedy also eases estrus in cats.
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Hormonal sedatives for cats and cats
- “Sex Barrier” for cats is a hormonal drug, therefore it is not recommended to be used without the recommendation of a veterinarian. This sedative is given to cats to ease their natural instincts.
- *To get rid of an animal’s natural sexual attraction, you can have your cat spayed or neutered.
What to do if the cat “yells”?
Contraception in cats: implants. How to “turn off” a breeding cat for a while?
The best way to get rid of estrus is surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries - ovariohysterectomy.
It is often called “sterilization,” but this is not quite the correct term, although it has already become customary to refer to this operation in cats. In fact, sterilization is the ligation or cutting of the uterine horns to prevent pregnancy, a method that is never used in cats, because the ovaries remain in place and the cat also continues to scream, howl, crawl, roll, mark and call for a partner, impossible only fertilization becomes. She can develop all diseases of the genital area, which, as a rule, are hormone-dependent. But the complete removal of the uterus and ovaries, which is carried out in clinics, is correctly called “castration”, since this term means the removal of the gonads, and in females these are the ovaries.
Removed uterus with ovaries
However, sometimes there are cases when, for some reason, castration of a cat is impossible, for example, when the cat is purebred and has breeding value. She gave birth to kittens, but instead of resting, she calls for the cat again, although she herself has not yet recovered from childbirth. If it’s one or two “hunts,” you can, of course, endure it, but what to do with particularly temperamental individuals who get into this state every couple of weeks?
Another option is when the cat needs to be “switched off” for a long time - for example, for a year or two, in order for it to complete its participation in the breeding program, because the breeder is a breeder. Almost all breeders, when breeding a certain type of breed, work on complex inbreeding, so sometimes a cat is needed to return to its descendant, for example, a second cousin. And we have to wait for it to grow, and this is not a month or two, but maybe a couple of years.
Also, in many felinological systems, a cat can be bred at certain intervals, for example, in WCF this is no more than 3 times every 2 years.
A cat definitely needs reproductive rest so that the body has time to recover and gain strength for a new pregnancy and feeding, because, contrary to popular belief that childbirth is useful, it is very depleting and wears out the body!
“Childbirth is for health” is a very persistent and dangerous myth that does not stand up to the slightest criticism! After all, the body has to work not even for two, but for five or seven, because cats usually give birth to 4-6 kittens at a time! After nursing babies, a cat that has given birth almost always looks very bad - thin or even skinny, shabby, with bad hair, because she gave everything valuable from her body to the kittens with milk. Therefore, “reproductive rest” is a very important thing!
Childbirth and feeding babies is a big burden on the body!
The cat is in heat... What to do?
Leave everything as it is - endure it?
The method is suitable for calm and not too temperamental cats that come to “hunt” once every few months. But many cats consistently begin to “sing” loud songs every few weeks, tormenting themselves and tormenting those around them, depriving them of peace around the clock. Screams and marks are an unpleasant companion to these periods.
Constant estrus is also fraught with pyometra in a number of “temperamental” breeds (Bengals, Orientals and others).
When you have breeding cats, the risk of unwanted matings is very high; keeping males and females in separate rooms is incredibly difficult.
The show career of permanent cats is problematic due to their “shabby” appearance.
Sometimes only a straitjacket can pacify a cat who senses a current cat nearby
Sleeping pills for cats (tranquilizers)
If sedatives for cats do not help your pet during transportation, and you need to transport it from one point to another, you can do this while the animal is sleeping. Although it is recommended to give a sleeping pill (tranquilizer) only on the recommendation of a veterinarian, and even better - to have the doctor inject it himself, in especially severe cases you can take a risk. Of course, if you stick to the dosage and know how to give injections, there is practically no risk.
Sleeping pills for cats for transportation
Below is a list of real sleeping pills for cats that will help transport the animal during sleep. Recommended dosages and route of administration may sometimes change (if the components of the drug change), so always check the package insert for the tranquilizer.
- "Vetranquil" - 0.15 ml subcutaneously;
- "Butorphanol" - 0.3 ml intramuscularly;
- "Relanium" - 0.3 ml intramuscularly;
- "Nalbuphine" - 0.2 ml intramuscularly.
Remember, the sleeping pills listed above for cats should never be given at the same time. Also, do not forget to provide the animal with a comfortable position with an elongated neck, as well as access to air and a warm blanket after falling asleep.
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Sedative for cats - drug reviews
about Fitex calming drops for cats , writes Ekaterina. “Our cat is not sterilized, we have kittens once a year and that’s great, but between breaks, when she’s in heat, it regularly spoils our sleep. We decided to save ourselves with sedatives for cats. The nearest veterinary pharmacy only had Kot Bayun, so we bought it. However, we didn’t notice any results from it, so we started looking further. We found Fitex - 5 drops slightly diluted in water and after 20 minutes the cat calms down. It suited our cat!”
Interesting things about cats:
- Bengal cat photo and character of the breed, price of kittens, list of nurseries;
- Diarrhea in a cat - how and how to treat it at home;
- Toyger cat - photo, price of kittens and where to buy, description of the breed.
Review of Kot Bayun, a sedative for cats , writes Nastya. "Hi all! I have a British cat, she is two years old and has already given birth to kittens twice. When we give kittens away, she always gets nervous and worried, so she decided to try some kind of sedative. The choice fell on Kot Bayun, at first she gave it only after she gave away the kittens, and then she tried it again when the heat began. The tablets helped, I’m glad that they are also inexpensive.”
Helping your cat cope with stress
Cats have a hard time with changing their environment; it is stressful for them. What to do if you can’t avoid a trip to the country, a trip to the veterinarian or hairdresser?
Two necessary conditions for the trouble-free movement of a cat are a calm owner and a comfortable carrier, which should become a second home for the animal. You cannot carry the animal in your arms.
Before traveling, prepare a mobile shelter for your cat - a comfortable carrier with hard walls, soft bedding and ventilation. For sound insulation and warmth, the carrier is wrapped with soft cloth on top. The cat should perceive the mobile house as a shelter where your pet can hide, say, after a doctor’s examination and calm down.
Required conditions after stress - peace and quiet
Habit plays an important role. If you plan to often take your cat with you on trips, you need to gradually accustom it to this from childhood. A pet that regularly travels in its portable home will not create problems during its next voyage.
Medicinal methods
In order to prepare the cat for stress, which cannot be avoided, special medications based on herbal ingredients are used. For example, Fitex contains hops, motherwort, valerian, and Baikal skullcap. In addition to these herbs, Stop-Stress contains phenibut. The drug Kot Bayun is available in the form of infusion and tablets. It includes extracts from a dozen medicinal plants.
A calming collar with pheromones will help the animal cope with a stressful situation
Table: Calming products for cats
| A drug | Active substance | Release forms | Dosage | Effect | Price |
| Stop stress | Active ingredients: phenibut (aminophenylbutyric acid) + extracts of medicinal plants (catmint, motherwort, hops, Baikal skullcap). | Drops and tablets | 1 drop per kg of animal body weight twice a day; or 0.25 tablets with a weight up to 5 kg, 0.5 - with a weight from 5 to 10 kg; for body weight more than 10 kg, give a whole tablet. | Long lasting calming effect | 145 rub. |
| Fitex | Plant origin. The composition of the drug includes the following extracts: - thick extract of valerian officinalis (valeriana officinalis) - dry extract of motherwort (leonurus quinquelobatus gilib) - dry extract of common hop (humulus lupulus) - dry extract of Baikal skullcap (scutellaria baicalensis georgi) 1 ml The drug contains 100 mg of the sum of dry and thick extracts. Does not contain sugar or ethyl alcohol. | Drops | 3–5 drops three times a day | Mild sedation | 130 rub. |
| cat Baiyun | Only plant components, contains aqueous extracts from plant materials: oregano herb - 0.45%, sweet clover herb - 0.23%, rhizomes with valerian roots - 0.23% and phytocomplex - 1.45%, containing extracts of flowers and fruits hawthorn, hop cones, motherwort herb, peppermint leaves, ivy grass, catnip herb, lemon balm herb, meadowsweet flowers, St. John's wort herb, thyme herb, cudweed herb, hillwort herb, nettle leaves, roots, rhizomes and herb of evasive peony , and as an auxiliary substance - distilled water - up to 100%. | Infusion and tablets | A single dose for infusion is 2 ml (half a teaspoon); for tablets - 2 pieces. Frequency of administration: 3–4 times a day. Tablets are used starting from the age of 10 months of the animal. | Long-term sedative effect: stabilization of the animal’s condition for 5–7 days | Drops - 132 rub. per package. Tablets - 115 rub. |
| Xylazine | The synthetic compound is a derivative of thiazine Xyl as an active ingredient in 1 ml contains 20 mg of xylazine hydrochloride, as well as excipients: sodium metabisulfite - 1 mg, citric acid - 10 mg, benzyl alcohol - 0.01 ml, sodium hydroxide (for pH correction = 5.0) and water for injection - up to 1 ml. | Injection | According to the instructions for use, 0.25 ml per 100 kg of weight is used for sedation; for sedation accompanied by muscle hypotonicity and analgesic effect - 0.5 ml; for immobilization and pain relief 1.0 ml; for long-term surgical intervention 1.5 ml (this dose is used only for adult animals). | Calming, analgesic, muscle relaxant | 630 rub. |
Photo gallery: sedative medications
No one is immune from stress and fear, not even cats. Each domestic cat has a unique character and temperament. No one knows how your pet will behave in an unusual situation. Only love, care and the right reaction will help owners of tailed pets find the right approach to their animal and help them cope with emotional turmoil.
Tips for using sedatives
Sedatives for cats are only a method of eliminating the consequences, not the cause. So they are not a panacea for cases such as aggression towards new animals in the house, or fear of the unknown (your guests). In such cases, you should try to re-educate your pet. And finally, a few tips:
- Do not under any circumstances overuse sedatives for cats, because in some cases this can lead not only to the animal becoming addicted to the drug, but also cause health problems;
- If, after being sedated, the animal begins to vomit, become excessively drowsy, or have another undesirable effect, the cat’s body has reacted atypically to one of the components of the drug, so it is better to consult a veterinarian before choosing the next drug.
How to calm a cat
The main recommendation is not to hit an animal in response to aggression. First of all, because he’s already feeling bad. In addition, cats are touchy and take a long time to understand the evil and injustice caused to them.
To calm your cat or remove him from a stressful place, you can pick up the animal. Wear protective clothing and throw a blanket or thick blanket over him. This measure is temporary, it can even anger the cat even more, but it is irreplaceable for a number of situations - for example, when you are in a public place.
How to calm a cat when he's "mad"
- Spray water from a spray bottle. This will save your hands from scratches if the animal jumps on you. It also works well when a cat is fighting with another pet.
- Step back. Taking a few steps away from your cat will help reduce her stress levels. You can go into another room for 10-30 minutes, or provide this opportunity to the cat.
- Separate conflicting pets into separate rooms. The ideal option is to introduce animals gradually.
- Sit down or lie down on the floor. This will make you seem smaller and less dangerous to the animal.
- Don't make eye contact. Cats perceive direct gaze as a sign of aggression and imminent attack.
This beast really needs peace
When you are on the same plane, you are equal
Your main trump cards are patience and love. It will take a long time to develop trust, but you will achieve a harmonious, friendly relationship with your pet.
How to calm a screaming cat
Does your cat scream often and loudly? This reaction can be caused by several reasons.
Disease. Age-related changes, psychological disorders, acute diseases - all this can provoke cat screams. Often the animal reacts with screams to helminthiasis and intestinal obstruction. Hunger and thirst. Check the animal's bowls - are there food and water in them? Change food and water or refill bowls. Lack of attention
A new pet, the birth of a child, or the constant busyness of the owners cause discomfort to the cat, and she tries to attract attention to herself. Lack of physical activity. Play with the animal and do not let it rest in the evenings. Hormonal surge
Sexual heat in a cat causes many imbalances in behavior. A day or night cry signals that the cat is ready and wants to mate. Castrate the cat, give him a sedative or ensure mating. You can read how to prepare a cat for castration in our article.
So far we have been talking about adult cats, but how to calm a kitten when he is angry? Animal psychologists advise gently holding the animal close, stroking it, and talking soothingly.
Nighttime screaming is especially annoying to owners and neighbors. How to calm a cat at night? There are no quick ways to calm an animal for a long time. A radical restructuring of the daily routine is needed.
Veterinarians' advice on how to calm a cat before bathing
How to calm a cat who wants a cat
A common reason for a cat's screaming and aggression is the desire to mate. It is not difficult to determine when a cat reaches puberty - the pet is “ready for love” between 8 or 10 months of life. How to determine that a cat wants a cat? Instincts become more acute at the end of winter and manifest themselves:
During the rut, a suffering cat can cause a lot of problems.
- aggressive attitude;
- hissing and loud meowing;
- reluctance to contact;
- biting and scratching;
- marking the territory.
How to calm the storm of cat hormones and what means to use for this?
- If possible, release the cat. He will satisfy his natural desire and return home. After returning, give him a bath, worm him, and take him to the vet if necessary.
- Give your animal a sedative or hormonal medication prescribed by your veterinarian. Proven options for tablets and drops for cats against partying: “Gestrenol”, “Stop-stress”, “Contrasex”, “Sex-barrier”, “Fitex”, “Cat Bayun”, “Libidomin”, “Stop-intim”.
- Have your cat castrated at the veterinary clinic. This method is long-term and most reliable.
Table. Sedatives for adult cats
