Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
If your cat has anxiety, many pet parents turn to medication right away. However, cat anxiety treatment works best when broken down into prescription medications, environmental enrichment, and nutraceuticals (dietary supplements), says Dr. Anita Patel, DVM, a Fear Free Certified veterinarian at IndeVets.
If untreated, cat anxiety can lead to chronic disease, health deterioration, and increased secondary infections. Secondary infections are common in immunocompromised cats.
Below, we’ll break down your options for how to calm your cat’s anxiety naturally or with prescription medications, with input from two veterinary experts.
When Do Cats Need Anxiety Medication?
Generally speaking, it’s most effective to start treating your cat’s anxiety with prescription medications after you’ve identified their symptoms and taken action, including proactive preventative measures, to minimize their stress and discomfort.
Dr. Patel says one of the biggest red flags and indicators that your cat might be struggling with anxiety is urinary accidents or straining, most commonly from feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD).
Beyond FLUTD, DeVoss and Dr. Patel say the most common signs of cat anxiety are:
Are some cats more likely to have anxiety?
Molly DeVoss, Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist and founder of Cat Behavior Solutions, explains that some cats are more likely to get anxious. These kitties include those who:
Weren’t exposed to other cats in kittenhood, during their sensitive development period (3 to 7 weeks old)
Had past trauma or sustained physical injury from another cat
Were raised in hoarding situations and other circumstances with limited human contact
Have caregivers who move frequently
Common Cat Anxiety Medications
While there’s no single anxiety medication vets prescribe, there are a few options they prefer. Remember, there’s currently no over-the-counter feline anxiety medication on the market.
Here are the most commonly prescribed cat anxiety medications.
Drug Name
Delivery Format
Potential Side Effects
Clomipramine
Tablets
Reduced appetite, dry mouth, diarrhea, vomiting
Fluoxetine
Tablets
Diarrhea, vomiting, reduced appetite, drowsiness, restlessness, anxiety, trembling, irritability
Amitriptyline
Tablets
Drowsiness, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, unusual behaviors
Alprazolam
Tablets
Loss of coordination, drowsiness, sedation, insomnia, hunger, anxiety, hallucinations, muscle relaxation
Buspirone
Tablets
Drowsiness, upset stomach, restlessness, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, constricted (smaller) pupils
Diazepam
Tablet, suppository
Loss of coordination, drowsiness, weakness
Sertraline
Tablets or liquid
Reduced appetite, drowsiness, restlessness, vomiting, diarrhea, panting, trembling
Trazodone
Tablets
Lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of coordination, excessive sedation
Lorazepam
Tablets
Hunger, drowsiness, restlessness, loss of balance, confusion
Oaxapem
Tablets
Lethargy, sedation, minimal motor coordination, increased appetite, overexcitement
Gabapentin
Capsules or liquid
Poor coordination, fatigue
Paroxetine
Tablets
Nervousness, fatigue, appetite loss, excitation. Can be toxic in large doses
Are cat anxiety meds covered by pet insurance?
Dr. Patel says coverage for anti-anxiety medications varies based on your pet’s insurance plan and their rules on pre-existing conditions.
Getting pet insurance while your cat is still a kitten is best to avoid a lack of coverage. Luckily, even if you don’t have pet insurance, most anti-anxiety medications are affordable. Additionally, resources like GoodRx can help cat parents get discounts.
Does My Cat Need Anti-Anxiety Medications Forever?
If you and your vet decide to give your cat anti-anxiety medication, that doesn’t mean they’ll be on it forever. The span of their treatment depends on the following:
Their type of anxiety
The class of drug they’re taking
Their specific triggers
For example, Dr. Patel says anti-anxiety meds can be prescribed short-term if your cat has travel anxiety. Meanwhile, chronic anxiety conditions, such as separation anxiety and generalized anxiety, call for life-long anxiety meds.
iStock/Cavan Images
What Are the Benefits & Drawbacks of Anxiety Medications?
Managing your cat’s anxiety appropriately with prescription medications has numerous benefits, including:
1. Higher quality of life
Anti-anxiety medications can reduce the likelihood of your cat developing secondary illnesses and health issues due to stress. When medically managed, anxious cats have a lower chance of developing chronic conditions such as:
FLUTD and other urinary diseases
Upper respiratory problems
Suppressed immune system
High blood pressure
Recurrent GI issues like vomiting and diarrhea
Depression
Left untreated, these diseases and conditions can seriously lessen your cat’s quality of life and shorten their lifespan.
2. Improved cat-human bond
Anxiety can put a lot of strain on a relationship. It can be really challenging for human caregivers to connect with their anxious kitties and vice versa.
With medically managed anxiety, cats can mend and strengthen their bond with their human caregivers, and a healthier connection can grow.
3. Problematic behavior reduction
Once environmental and external factors are improved, adding anxiety medication to your cat’s treatment plan can help target and reduce many behavioral problems. This mental and physical health improvement can make for a more peaceful home environment, especially in multi-cat households!
Keeping those benefits in mind, it’s also important to acknowledge that anxiety medications for cats come with some caveats, such as:
4. Time consuming
Anxiety medication isn’t a quick fix or an instant solution. Cat parents should anticipate trial and error and a period where they have to figure out which medications are most effective.
While there are certain prescription anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) medications that work within minutes or hours of administration, Dr. Patel says others require consistent use and may take up to 4 weeks to decrease your cat’s anxiety.
5. Requires consistency and patience
Pet parents should ensure their cat consistently gets the proper dosage to reap the benefits and avoid adverse effects. Dr. Patel warns that abruptly stopping anxiety meds can cause the return of anxiety symptoms, increased agitation, and even potential seizures.
Administering medication is also time-consuming. You will likely need to schedule frequent vet checkups and actively communicate with your vet, especially in the beginning, while working out the best treatment.
6. Rare side effects
While the most common side effects are mild, there are some rare but serious side effects to take into consideration. Some rare but severe side effects from anxiety medication include:
Trembling
Impaired mobility
Difficulty walking
Rapid heart rate
Trouble breathing
Abnormally high body temperature
Seizures
Luckily, Dr. Patel says these side effects are typically reversible. Adjusting the dosage, especially decreasing the amount of anti-anxiety meds, can combat or eliminate side effects.
How to Administer Cat Anxiety Medications at Home
Generally, Dr. Patel says anxiety medications should be given before the stressful event takes place. Often, this means starting administration the night before travel, vet visits, and grooming. She emphasizes that anxiety is harder to control once it’s started.
Cats are notoriously fickle with medications, especially if they’re anxious. Thankfully, anxiety medications are available in several formulations, such as liquids, tablets, and capsules.
When giving your cat a pill, Dr. Patel says to use a towel to wrap your cat’s body “burrito” style and then elevate them on a counter surface. This can make medicine time less stressful (and help keep you from getting scratched or bitten)!
If it’s too challenging to give the medications directly to your cat, crush and mix the medicine into your kitty’s food, especially if it has a strong, pungent smell like chicken or seafood. If they still don’t bite, try warming up their food to amplify the smell and better disguise the medicine.
Note: If your cat lives in a multi-cat or multi-animal home, never leave their medication-laced food out where the other animals in the house can access it.
iStock/standret
5 Alternative Anxiety Treatments For Cats
Anti-anxiety medications aren’t always the best choice for cats. Sometimes, it’s too difficult to commit to administering daily meds, the meds are too expensive, or the cat has pre-existing health conditions that might be worsened by anxiety med side effects. Luckily, there are effective methods at home.
Prescription-free anxiety treatments for cats include:
Environmental enrichment: Set up your home with opportunities for your cat to express their natural, instinctive behaviors, such as scratching and climbing. Cat towers, cardboard scratchers, food puzzles, cat-safe grasses, and play tunnels are great additions to a kitty home!
A nutritious, balanced diet: Special diets from holistic veterinarians and veterinary nutritionists contain ingredients that help reduce cat stress and anxiety.
Calming pheromones: Natural pheromone products, such as Feliway, effectively mimic the calming chemicals cats release to create a soothing, safe environment. They’re available as plug-in diffusers, sprays, and collars and can be used in conjunction with other forms of anxiety management.
Nutraceuticals: Some vets recommend food-based, plant-derived, or vitamin supplements like Zylkene or Anxitane for their simple ingredients and ease of use to help cats with anxiety.
Working with a feline behaviorist: This is the best way to come up with an individualized anxiety management plan. Behaviorists know what makes our cats tick and are equipped with insights and skills into actions to reduce or eliminate your kitty’s anxiety.
Takeaway
The best anxiety management is a collaboration between cat parents and veterinarians. Incorporating anti-anxiety medications into your cat’s life has numerous benefits in the short and long term.
However, if your cat is emotionally suffering even on medication, see a vet right away. They can work with you to brainstorm a new treatment plan to make your kitty happy and anxiety-free.
