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Common methods of stress management
Management of stress generally gives three options:
1. Change the situation causing the stress
2. Change the response of the cat
3. Combination of 1 & 2
Changing the situation
Changing the situation may be easy – it is often appropriate if the cat shows stress in a specific situation but seems fine the rest of the time. Removing the stressor or removing the cat from the situation may sometimes be the simplest option. For example, this may involve re-homing the cat if the cat is not suited to a multi-cat environment.
2. Changing the response of the cat
Vet prescribed / pharmacological
Discuss with your vet; reserve for severe and chronic problems
Clomicalm (Clomipramine) is commonly used by vets to treat anxiety disorders: it is an anti depressant that works best as a long term treatment combined with behavioural therapy
Valium (Diazepam) a tranquilliser. But can have a paradoxical effect that makes the cat more agitated.
Non vet prescribed / behavioural
Feliway A synthetic analogue of facial (friendly) pheromones. Especially recommended for spraying problems or inappropriate urination. Can also be used to make areas less threatening.
Aromatherapy. Lavender essential oil can be relaxing – can be used in a burner as long as the room is well ventilated
Massage. Good to use on a daily basis for stressed cats
T-touch. A form of tactile therapy often using circular movements of the fingers on the skin. Can induce a trance-like state in some cats, or can send them to sleep
Herbal therapies. Valerian is sometimes used to calm cats
Homeopathic. Best known is probably Rescue Remedy flower essence.
Nutritional supplements. B group-vitamins are reputed to reduce anxiety – many cats like the yeast supplements that provide these. There are also liquid and tablet preparations combing ingredients reputed to be relaxing, including amino acid tryptophan and b vitamins.
Behavioural therapy. Classical conditioning techniques can help the cat to break a negative association with a situation or object by counter conditioning, desensitisation and graded exposure. Cats are presented to the feared stimulus / situation at the same time as being presented with a pleasant stimulus or being relaxed by massage. Operant conditioning techniques of reinforcement and shaping can help cats to relearn responses to stressors. These techniques can be combined easily with other therapies for greater efficacy
3.Combination
A variety of methods is often the most effective. The environment can be changed, but sometimes the cat has learned the stress response so well that it can remain even when the stressor is removed.
Cats can vary in their response to some of these methods and therefore it may be necessary to trial a variety of them to find what works for your cat. Some techniques, particularly the tactile ones of massage and t-touch are very useful for human-cat bonding and can also be relaxing for the human practitioner.
Cats are intelligent and sensitive beings, and respond to the situation in the household, picking up tension and anxiety in their humans.
Therefore, management of our own anxiety and stress is integral to minimising the stress felt by our feline friends.
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