However, this medication is less likely to cause side effects compared to the other SSRIs. The smallest tablet is too large even when cut into quarter tablets. This medication typically needs to be compounded by specialty pharmacies into flavored chewable tablets, capsules, or flavored liquids. It must be given once daily and should not be abruptly discontinued.
#Anxiety medication full#
This SSRI takes 4-6 weeks to take full effect. Indications: Generalized anxiety (mild to moderate anxiety), inappropriate elimination, and fearful behavior. It can be compounded by specialty pharmacies into flavored chewable tablets, capsules, or flavored liquids. It’s typically dispensed in tablet form and needs to be cut to the appropriate size for cats. This medication should be used with caution in cats with heart disease. This medication takes 4-6 weeks to take effect. It is less sedating compared to fluoxetine. It’s a good alternative for cats that become agitated or have decreased appetite on fluoxetine. Paroxetine is another SSRI that increases the amount of serotonin in the brain. Indications: Generalized anxiety (moderate to severe anxiety), aggression directed towards people or other cats, compulsive behavior, urine spraying, inappropriate urination, and fearful behavior. If your cat’s appetite is affected, this medication should be discontinued and replaced by an alternative. Most of the side effects improve after the first 1-2 weeks. It can be compounded by specialty pharmacies into flavored, chewable tablets, capsules, or flavored liquids. It’s typically dispensed in tablet form and needs to be cut into the appropriate size for cats. This medication takes 4-6 weeks to take effect and must be given once daily. Increased amounts of serotonin in the brain can help decrease anxiety and reduce reactivity and impulsive behavior. Serotonin helps modulate mood and behavior. It blocks the receptors in the brain from taking up and removing serotonin, which allows for a higher serotonin level. Indications: Generalized anxiety (moderate to severe anxiety) aggression directed towards people, cats or other animals compulsive behavior urine spraying inappropriate urination panic disorder and fearful behavior.įluoxetine is classified as a selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). (A small percentage of cat patients may experience side effects while on a medication.) Here is a list of the most commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications and their potential side effects. Please keep in mind that the use of all human medications to treat cats with anxiety disorders is off-label. These medications typically do not require your cat to be weaned off them if they’re not used consistently. They are intended to be used for certain situations where your cat experiences increased levels of anxiety and stress. Other anti-anxiety medications are short-term they take effect in a shorter period of time and only last for several hours. These cats should get a yearly examination, bloodwork, and a behavior reevaluation to ensure that they are still on the best treatment plan for their needs. Some cats benefit from staying on anti-anxiety medications for 6-12 months or longer periods. Once your cat’s behavior is stable, they can be gradually weaned off the medication.
If the medication is helping, the cat should be kept on it for a minimum of 2-3 months. Some cat anxiety medications are long-term maintenance medications, meaning they can take 4-6 weeks to take full effect.
How Cat Anxiety Medications WorkĬat anxiety can manifest itself in a variety of ways, so there are both long-term and short-term anti-anxiety medications available. The other part involves management and behavior modification. No matter the direction you take, the use of anti-anxiety medication is just one part of the treatment plan. Your veterinarian can discuss with you some medication options or refer to you an expert in the field-a board-certified veterinary behaviorist. What can you do to help your cat if they suffer from anxiety? First, your cat needs to be examined by your veterinarian to make sure there are no underlying medical problems. Talk With Your Veterinarian About Your Cat’s Anxiety Here’s a list of the different types of cat anxiety medications and how they work. The first step to relieving your cat’s anxiety is to talk to your vet, and then you can discuss the need for cat anxiety medications. They can experience generalized anxiety disorders or more specific anxiety issues caused by things like thunder or separation distress when their pet parents are not at home. Cats can suffer from anxiety disorders just as people and dogs can.
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