Will the vet give me a sedative for my cat?
If your cat's veterinary appointment is for a routine wellness examination, your veterinarian may prescribe a sedative or antianxiety medication if your cat's stress is severe.
Dosage for Benadryl in Cats
Most veterinarians will dose diphenhydramine using a combination of recommended doses and practical experience, since it is not labeled for use in cats. The VIN Veterinary Drug Handbook lists doses ranging from 1–4 mg per kilogram body weight.
- Kava Kava – Kava Kava is a tropical herb which acts as a sedative.
- Catnip – Catnip is a member of the mint family and a well-known cat sedative.
- Valerian – Valerian is a perennial flowering plant known for its use as a sedative for centuries.
However, sedation is a very common side effect. Benadryl is an over-the-counter cat sedative option with a good safety margin. However, it's important to check with your vet for the right dose and formulation. Side effects include dry mouth, increased heart rate, and urine retention.
Gabapentin and trazadone are recommended as first line choices in ameliorating feline anxiety and aggression as they have both been shown to be safe and effective options to improve feline veterinary visits.
There is a critical need for a safe, oral sedative that can be administered by owners prior to confinement and transportation that will prevent or reduce the cascade of anxiety leading up to the veterinary visit and facilitate ease of examination. The drug trazodone hydrochloride holds promise for this use in cats.
As a rough estimate, an adult cat of average size could probably start off with a dose of 0.75mg of melatonin, repeated up to three times a day, but this is a very rough starting point. The dose will vary depending on several factors, including your cat's age and size as well as the condition you're wanting to treat.
The big question is whether Benadryl is safe for kitties as well. The answer: yes, you can give your cat Benadryl. It is an antihistamine and safe for both cats and dogs. Do know that Benadryl is simply the drug's brand name.
This medication will take effect quickly, in about 1 to 2 hours, and improvement in clinical signs should follow.
Benadryl can cause sleepiness, dry mouth, or urinary retention and potentially cause some gastrointestinal upset, such as diarrhea and/or vomiting. 1 In cats, it may also cause a paradoxical effect meaning that the cat becomes very excited or jittery instead of sleepy.
Does catnip sedate a cat?
When sniffed, it acts as a stimulant, often causing cats to become very playful, rolling over on the ground and generally being hyperactive. But when eaten, catnip acts as a sedative, sometimes causing cats to drool, purr, or fall asleep.
Lavender, which has natural sedative properties, may help soothe an anxious cat. Copaiba, helichrysum, and frankincense are also considered safe for cats. Before using essential oils, even in the form of diffused scents, around your cats, check with your holistic veterinarian for recommendations.
Diphenhydramine (brand name: Benadryl®, Vetadryl®, Banophen®, Genahist®, Diphenhist®, Unisom®, Sominex ®) is an antihistamine used in cats, dogs, ferrets and other small mammals, birds, horses, and cattle to treat allergic reactions, motion sickness, and vomiting.
- Gather your medication. ...
- Position your cat so he's facing away from you. ...
- Some very difficult cats might need to be wrapped in a towel. ...
- Point his head to look up at the ceiling. ...
- Gently insert the syringe at the side of his mouth. ...
- Squirt the medication slowly into his mouth.
It's no wonder your cat is scared of the vet! The truth is, cats are fearful of new people and new environments. This is built into their survival instincts. A visit to the veterinarian can bring terror to the independent cat who doesn't venture out of their secure home very often.
Many vets theorize that the home cat cannot respond to the direct threat or fearful experience so he redirects the aggression toward the nearest substitute, which in this case is the returning cat.
BENADRYL DOSAGE FOR CATS
If you go the route of liquid Benadryl, you will want to use the children's liquid or liquid Benadryl from your vet. The generally accepted dose is 1mg of Benadryl per pound of your cat's body weight every 8-12 hours.
If your pet were to ingest too much of this medication, potential symptoms could include lethargy, unsteadiness of the feet, vomiting or diarrhea, increase in heart rate, panting and hyperactivity.
This medication will take effect quickly, in about 1 to 2 hours, and improvement in clinical signs should follow.
Some of the downsides associated with melatonin for cats include drowsiness, itchy skin, appetite changes, stomach trouble, and possibly disorientation. If you notice any of these results after giving melatonin to your cat, cease use immediately and consult your veterinarian.
How much Benadryl Can I give my cat for anxiety?
Benadryl dosage for cats
However, recommended doses of Benadryl for cats are typically 1 mg per 1 pound, to be given every 8-12 hours as needed. Consult your vet and use this interactive calculator to determine how much Benadryl you should give your cat.
The drug's active ingredient is diphenhydramine, which is indeed safe for animals. It can be administered in various forms – liquid, crushed, or as solid pills – but always orally. Some vets suggest giving a dosage of roughly one milligram per pound of body weight. In pill form, just give roughly half a 25 mg tablet.
Melatonin is generally considered safe when used at the recommended dosage, although it should only be used under the supervision of your veterinarian. After all, it is a hormone and can interact with numerous processes in your dog or cat's body, as well as with other medications.
But, as Animal Planet points out, "unless your vet recommends it, never crush or grind pills to put in food or water. Crushed medication can taste bitter, so your cat won't get the full dosage." Always get your vet's express permission before administering medicine for cats this way.
The mild sedative used in Benadryl is sometimes recommended by veterinarians for anxiety. An example would be traveling by car or airplane. Some cats get quite anxious or upset when traveling and giving Benadryl can be an excellent sedative for traveling.
Cats begin to feel the effects of catnip within a few seconds. The duration of the effect is variable, but typically lasts around 10 minutes and rarely more than 15.
The blissful high of catnip doesn't last very long, oftentimes less than 30 minutes. Your cat might get nutty for about ten or fifteen minutes and then wander away for a nap. Once a cat has partaken of the catnip, it takes a couple of hours before they can be affected by it again.
But exactly how catnip—and a substitute, known as silver vine—produces this feline high has long been a mystery. Now, a study suggests the key intoxicating chemicals in the plants activate cats' opioid systems much like heroin and morphine do in people.
Previously, researchers determined that cats stay calmer when listening to classical music, as opposed to pop and heavy metal. But more recent research published in this month's issue of Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery showed that cats may relax even more when listening to music made with them in mind.
Yes, CBD oil has been shown to be extremely effective in reducing anxiety in not just cats but many pet types. The reason for this is that the products are made from organic hemp oil which contains terpenes and other natural compounds that have calming effects when they interact with the endocannabinoid system.
Does catnip help cats with anxiety?
Given that catnip can have a calming, soothing effect, it can be used to: help reduce a cat's stress and anxiety when going to the vet, help reduce stress when traveling, help with urinary issues (note that stress is a major contributing factor to urinary obstruction in cats!).
Lavender, which has natural sedative properties, may help soothe an anxious cat. Copaiba, helichrysum, and frankincense are also considered safe for cats. Before using essential oils, even in the form of diffused scents, around your cats, check with your holistic veterinarian for recommendations.
Using Catnip Prior To A Visit To A Veterinarian
To help keep your cat calm on the way to our office, place some fresh or dried catnip into the carrier with your cat.
- Keep your cats separated for a few hours after returning from the vet.
- Put a dab of vanilla extract on the returning cat's head and on the base of their tails.
- Utilize feline pheromone products throughout your home like Feliway 1-2 days before visiting the vet.
Body Language: They will avoid eye and physical contact at all costs. They prefer to be invisible, so allowing them to hide will help keep them feeling calm and in control. Management Approach: Allow the cat to have some time and space.
Full-body restraint is defined as the cat being “held on its side with its back against the handler, while the handler grasps the front and back legs, with a forearm across the cat's neck. The cat is allowed little to no movement of its head, body or limbs.”
For years, scruffing a cat – grabbing the loose skin around the neck – has been touted as a safe and humane way to restrain your pet. Thought to mimic the way that a mother cat would pick up her kittens by the scruff, this restraint method has been used by vets, groomers, and pet owners.