Cat Anxiety Medications And Their Potential Side Effects

October 16, 2023

Just like humans and dogs, cats can experience anxiety problems. Whether it's broad-spectrum anxiety or more pinpointed concerns stemming from triggers like thunderstorms or the absence of their owners, cats aren't immune.

If you notice signs of anxiety in your feline friend, your initial move should be to consult your veterinarian. This will help determine whether there's a requirement for anxiety medications for cats, adjustments in their regular habits or surroundings, or behavioral therapies. Below is an overview of various medication options and their role in addressing your cat's behavioral challenges.

Types Of Cat Anxiety Medications

Below is a compilation of the most frequently recommended anti-anxiety treatments for cats.

Fluoxetine

Indication:

Generalized stress (from mild to high intensity)
Aggressive tendencies toward humans or fellow creatures
Obsessive actions
Spraying of urine
Unwanted urination incidents
Anxiety attacks
Timid behaviors
Excessive self-cleaning

Fluoxetine is recognized as a specific serotonin absorption inhibitor (SSAI). This compound prevents brain receptors from absorbing and depleting serotonin, leading to elevated serotonin levels.

Serotonin plays a crucial role in mood and behavioral regulation. Enhancing its quantity in the brain can aid in minimizing anxiety and tempering reactions and hasty actions.

It usually takes four to six weeks for this medicine to manifest its effects, and should be administered daily.

Potential side effects:

Upset stomach
Loose stools
Bowel irregularities
Restlessness
Drowsiness
Fatigue
Reduced hunger
Delay in urination

Most side effects alleviate after the initial fortnight. If your feline's eating habits are impacted, this medicine should be ceased, and an alternate option should be considered.

Paroxetine:

Indication:

Generalized tension (from mild to high levels)
Hostility towards humans or fellow felines
Repetitive actions
Spraying behavior
Unscheduled urination
Timid tendencies
Excessive fur-cleaning

Paroxetine is a distinct SSRI that amplifies serotonin levels in the brain. It's a suitable substitute for felines that show signs of restlessness or diminished hunger on fluoxetine and tend to be less tired than fluoxetine.

This treatment generally requires four to six weeks to manifest its benefits. It should be administered once daily and should not be suddenly halted. Extra care should be taken when using this medication for cats with cardiovascular conditions.

Potential side effects:

Drowsiness
Fatigue
Bowel irregularities
Nausea
Loose stools
Challenges in urination

Sertraline

Indication:

General anxiety (from slight to medium intensity)
Unscheduled waste elimination
Skittish tendencies
Urine marking
Sudden or obsessive behaviors

Sertraline falls under the category of selective serotonin absorption inhibitors (SSAI). It acts by hindering the brain receptors from absorbing and depleting serotonin, leading to a heightened presence of this neurotransmitter. Serotonin plays a pivotal role in modulating mood and actions. Elevating its concentration in the brain aids in tempering anxiety and curbing rapid and impulsive responses.

This SSAI necessitates between four and six weeks to exhibit its full benefits. Daily administration is recommended, and sudden cessation is discouraged.

Potential side effects:

Drowsiness
Fatigue
Restlessness
Diminished hunger
Nausea
Loose stools

Nonetheless, this medication demonstrates a lower propensity for side effects when juxtaposed with other SSAIs.

Clomipramine

Indication:

Generalized stress (ranging from moderate to intense levels)
Hostile tendencies towards humans, felines, or other creatures
Obsessive actions
Urine marking
Unscheduled urination incidents
Anxiety episodes
Timid tendencies
Distress during separations

Clomipramine belongs to the family of tricyclic mood elevators (TME) and works by influencing serotonin and norepinephrine receptors to mitigate anxious and hostile tendencies.

This treatment requires between four and six weeks to manifest its effects. Daily administration is essential, and its sudden halt is discouraged.

Potential side effects might comprise:

Nausea
Loose stools
Restlessness
Drowsiness
Fatigue
Parched mouth
Reduced hunger
Delay in urination

Extra vigilance is needed when prescribing this medication to felines with cardiovascular issues or seizure disorders.

Buspirone

Indication:

General stress (ranging from slight to medium levels)
Skittish tendencies

Buspirone falls under the azapirone category and influences both serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain. The full effects of this medication are typically realized between four to six weeks. It's essential to administer it daily and refrain from ceasing it suddenly.

Potential side effects:

Nausea
Loose stools
Restlessness
Drowsiness

Enhanced bonding with the caregiver and bolstered self-assurance

Moreover, certain felines whose fellow cats in the home were previously targeted may demonstrate increased assertiveness, choosing to stand their ground instead of fleeing.

Alprazolam

Indication:

Stress
Deep-seated fears
Anxiety episodes
Trepidation
Urine marking

Alprazolam is recognized as a member of the benzodiazepine family and is believed to function by enhancing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) actions in the brain. GABA plays a role in dampening the impacts of stimulatory nerve messages in the brain, leading to a soothing effect on the pet.

This fast-acting remedy begins to show effects within 30 minutes and can be administered every eight to 12 hours. Regular use might lead to the development of tolerance and reliance. For felines that have been on Alprazolam for an extended duration, it's not advisable to halt its use suddenly.

Special care is required when using Alprazolam with felines that exhibit aggressive tendencies. The medicine might suppress certain inhibitions, potentially heightening aggressive displays.

Possible side effects:

Fatigue
Drowsiness
Motor coordination challenges
Enhanced hunger
Over-excitability
Heightened aggression

Lorazepam

Indication:

Stress
Deep-rooted fears
Anxiety episodes
Trepidation

Lorazepam falls under the benzodiazepine category, operating by amplifying gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) actions within the brain. GABA is essential in counteracting the effects of stimulatory neurological impulses, offering your pet a soothing sensation.

Lorazepam swiftly gets into action, showing effects within 30 minutes, and can be administered every 12 hours. If consumed regularly, there's a potential for developing tolerance and dependence. Similar to Alprazolam, when considering discontinuation, it's recommended to taper off the dosage gradually for cats.

Potential side effects:

Fatigue
Drowsiness
Impaired motor skills
Heightened hunger
Unexpected overstimulation
Reduced inhibition leads to aggressive actions

Special attention is needed when prescribing Lorazepam to felines displaying aggressive tendencies.

Oxazepam

Indication:

Stress
Deep-seated fears
Anxiety episodes
Trepidation

Oxazepam belongs to the benzodiazepine family, functioning by enhancing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) actions within the brain. GABA plays a crucial role in offsetting the impacts of stimulatory neural communications, thus providing a tranquilizing influence on your pet.

Oxazepam acts swiftly, revealing its effects within 30 minutes, and can be administered every 24 hours. Regular consumption might lead to the development of tolerance and reliance. For felines that have been on Oxazepam for an extended time, gradually reducing the dosage upon discontinuation is imperative.

Special care is necessary when administering Oxazepam to felines displaying aggressive tendencies.

Potential side effects:

Fatigue
Drowsiness
Impaired movement control
Elevated hunger levels
Unanticipated overstimulation
Diminished restraint, leading to heightened aggression.

Trazodone

Indication:

Stress
Hostility

Trazodone functions by amplifying serotonin concentrations within an animal's neural framework. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a pivotal role in the brain, orchestrating behavior and several physiological processes. This medication starts showing its influence between 60–90 minutes and typically remains effective for about eight to 12 hours.

Possible side effects:

Fatigue
Drowsiness
Nausea
Loose stools
Restlessness
Excessive salivation.

Gabapentin

Indication:

Stress linked to discomfort
Hostility stemming from pain

Gabapentin is categorized as an anticonvulsant. Its primary function is to diminish the heightened pain sensations in felines grappling with chronic pain due to arthritis, nerve afflictions, cancer, and similar ailments. The medication targets calcium ion channels in the brain, toning down excitability. It's crucial to steer clear of human oral solutions, as they contain xylitol, which can be hazardous to cats.

The medication begins to manifest its effects within a 60–90 minute window and generally maintains its efficacy for eight to 12 hours.

Potential side effects: