An effective sleeping pill for cats and rules for its use

Pets, just like people, are often exposed to various stresses. Anxiety in cats can be triggered by even the most harmless action, such as walking outside, going to the veterinarian, moving, having guests, and much more. A stressful state negatively affects the overall health of the animal. Possible disturbances in the functioning of the digestive tract, endocrine and cardiovascular systems. Therefore, a loving owner always has sedatives for cats at home, which help pets overcome any stress.

Indications for the use of sedatives

Sedatives should be given as prescribed by a doctor, who will select the ideal medicine taking into account the breed and personal characteristics of the pet. Since cats, like other living beings, may have individual intolerance and contraindications to taking certain sedatives. And besides this, each pet has a distinctive psycho-emotional background.

According to veterinarians and animal psychologists, the prescription of sedatives for cats is possible in the following cases:

1. Walking in the fresh air and riding any type of transport. Sharp sounds, vibration, temperature changes and contact with other pets can provoke a stressful situation in animals. Some animals love to travel and are happy to learn something new, while others, on the contrary, are wary of change and are subject to frequent stress.
2. ​Moving. Over time, pets become accustomed not only to people, but also to their surroundings. Therefore, a sudden change of place of residence can provoke excitement and anxiety in cats of different ages.
3. ​The arrival of guests or additions to the family. Different cat breeds have their own characteristics. Many people get used to people for a long time and may become afraid or, on the contrary, react with aggression to the appearance of new acquaintances or small children in the house.
4. ​Development of neuroses of any origin. This condition is accompanied by behavioral disturbances, hyperactivity, overeating, obsessive symptoms and regular yawning in cats.
5. ​Marking the territory. Pets that are in constant stress try to secure their rights to their place of residence, so they put marks everywhere and often go to the toilet right in the house.
6. ​The period of puberty. Pets during mating can be aggressive, nervous and very anxious.
7. ​Wash and haircut. They often cause stressful situations in animals, especially if the care procedure continues for a long time.
8. ​Participation in special competitions and competitions among pets. A large number of strangers, other pets, exhibitions, photographs and other excessive attention has a detrimental effect on cats, it can frighten them and worsen their well-being.

Grooming a cat at home

You need to prepare for the haircut process. First, armed with special tweezers, trim the cat’s nails. The instrument must be disinfected. Grasp the pad on your paw and squeeze it lightly. Quickly and carefully shorten the claws without touching the skin. This will ensure safety in case of animal aggression.

For the first haircut, you will need an assistant to hold your pet's sides. Cats often behave very aggressively. Therefore, the clinic must purchase a plastic collar in advance. It will fix the head in a constant position and the cat will not be able to bite. In any case, the paws must be held.

A stationery clip on the back of the neck helps calm the cat. In extreme cases, violent animals are given inhibitory or sleeping pills. You should not use them yourself, so as not to harm your pet.

Haircut process

Before turning on the machine, the cat is placed on its side and its limbs are fixed. Using leisurely and careful movements, remove the hair on the sides. After this, they proceed to the back and stomach. Cats can be groomed according to hair growth or against it.

If there are tangles, cut them off first. To accustom the cat to the sound of the machine, it is turned on in the distance. The cat adapts to the noise and after some time you can begin. It is recommended to install a nozzle of at least 3 mm. Moving the machine without an attachment severely injures the skin.

The stomach is the most delicate area and requires special attention. This is where the mammary glands and intimate area are located, and it is important not to injure them.

At the end of the haircut, it is better to cut off the remaining hairs with scissors. Moving the machine over the skin will cause discomfort and microtrauma. At the cutting site, the skin should be pulled back slightly to avoid cuts. Especially when working with scissors.

The tail and paws are most often not cut, but they can also be shaved. Just leave a small brush at the tip of the tail. A cat may not recognize a naked tail and will bite it, causing pain to itself.

When doing a haircut, you need to be more gentle and talk to the cat. Then the unpleasant procedure will pass quickly and painlessly.

Medicines for sleep

Sedatives have a certain period of action, which is not always relevant. Even if the animal is relatively calm, a long flight or trip will make it nervous. In this case, it is better to use sleeping pills intended for pets. It can be in the form of tablets, injections or drops. Thanks to them, the animal will sleep peacefully all the way.

The dose size should be determined only by a veterinarian. He calculates the dosage based on the weight, age, breed and other characteristics of the animal. The use of sleeping pills is justified in extreme measures, since an overdose can lead to the death of a pet.

There is a division of sleeping pills according to their duration of action:

1. Short-acting agents are the most gentle; they put the animal to sleep for no more than 3 hours. Suitable for small transportation or while handling wool.
2. Medium-term muscle relaxants are classified as painkillers and sedatives. They are used in the treatment of seizures, in preparation for anesthesia or in the correction of borderline mental states. They last for about 5 hours.
3. Long-term narcotic drugs are used only during surgical and veterinary operations.

There are several other types of sleeping pills for cats:

1. Medications are based on chemical compounds. Their effect is more pronounced; they have a serious effect on the body. Such means are resorted to only in serious situations. They can be found in the form of tablets, drops or injection solutions. Pets are very difficult to tolerate the use of medicinal sleeping pills, so they are used only in veterinary clinics.
2. Homeopathic - developed on the basis of herbs and is much gentler. That is why they are closer to sedatives than to sleeping pills. They are made in the form of tablets, drops or herbal infusions. Suitable for short trips. Often used to reduce stress, as well as to alleviate the condition of the animal during sexual activity. Such remedies are relevant if the animal has problems with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. They are also considered more suitable for kittens, older cats and debilitated animals.

Cat grooming is an important part of grooming.

Grooming a pet has a decorative and hygienic function. Without combing, tangles form in the wool. During licking, they enter the cat's digestive system. If we are talking about a kitten, then its undeveloped digestion may suffer from this. Therefore, it is necessary to cut kittens too.

Veterinary grooming is indicated for skin problems, increased function of the sebaceous glands, and for cats of advanced age when it is difficult for them to manage their fur.

The frequency of haircuts is affected by the cat's coat type and breed. The fur on an animal completely grows back in an average of six months. Veterinarians recommend grooming long-haired and fluffy cats for hygienic purposes 3-4 times a year. For other types, 1-2 haircuts per year are enough. Cats are groomed before the hot days begin, so the cat can better withstand the heat.

Don't be too zealous in this matter. Wool serves as a natural protection for your pet, which is especially important during the cold season.

The cutting time should also coincide with the beginning of shedding. It’s not difficult to verify this simply by pulling the cat’s fur. The remaining hairs in the hand indicate that shedding has begun.

Operating principle

The following types of sedatives for cats are distinguished:

1. Gentle natural remedies of homeopathic origin. They are based on drug extracts. They have a prolonged therapeutic effect, delicately affect the nervous system, relieving tension and nervousness. The effect occurs within a few days.
2. Sedative medications in the form of injections and tablets. They are characterized by immediate action, but have a high list of contraindications.
3. Chemical. They are used in rare cases, if the health benefits for cats outweigh any risks.

Recommended sedatives, TOP best for 2021

There are a number of sedative medications that have proven themselves to be the best among both doctors and pet owners.

Relaxivet suspension

A popular sedative for combating stress in cats. Helps improve the behavior of animals when they are nervous, frightened, or overexcited. When taking the drug, the psycho-emotional background is normalized, anxiety, aggression and fearfulness are relieved. The pet stops messing up the house, doesn’t mark and becomes calmer. The therapeutic effect of the medicinal suspension begins after a maximum of half an hour and persists throughout the day. The natural composition does not harm health, does not cause addiction or side effects.

A natural antidepressant has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, suppresses tension, irritability and nervousness. The substance inositol, which is part of the composition, reduces causeless aggression. It is recommended to give the medicine in advance before exhibitions, moving, going to new places and the arrival of strangers. Then the pets become calmer, react normally to changes in the environment, to strangers, are not afraid of loud sounds and have better contact with other animals.

Relaxivet suspension

Advantages:

• natural composition;
• a large list of clinical indications;
• long-term therapeutic effect;
• improved behavior in pets.

Flaws:

• not detected.

Behavior corrector CEVA Feliway Classic

An effective sedative made in France. This is an excellent solution for owners who have several cats. The medicine relieves signs of stress, improves general condition and anxiety. It was developed by European specialists from a synthesized component completely similar to cat pheromones. This substance has a calming effect on the pet, relieving all symptoms of fear and anxiety.

The drug appears externally as a liquid, colorless substance. The device with the drug is connected to the network and distributes odors in the room up to 50-70 square meters. m. It is used economically; a bottle of the product lasts for about a month. The sedative has a high price, but this is compensated by its pronounced therapeutic effect.

The effect of the medicine begins quite quickly and has a positive effect on even the most fearful and hyperactive pets. The healing properties of the product are preserved when going outside. The composition is harmless, odorless, and therefore does not have any impact on the environment and people.

Behavior corrector CEVA Feliway Classic

Advantages:

• analogue of cat pheromone;
• large spread up to 70 sq. m;
• not harmful to others;
• An excellent choice for a large number of cats in the house.

Flaws:

• high price.

NM NO STRESS 8 in1

An equally effective sedative in spray form. They have a gentle effect on the nervous system, preventing anxiety, restlessness, causeless excitement and aggression. Helps eliminate any signs of stress. The basis is natural pheromones and extracts of medicinal plants. The therapeutic effectiveness of the sedative has been confirmed in clinical trials on pets.

The spray does not cause harm, its therapeutic effect lasts for a long time. Not used directly on animals, the sedative is sprayed into the room, so it does not scare pets. According to user reviews, the medicine helps fight hypersensitivity, suppresses anxiety and excitement. It is used sparingly and is very convenient to take. Does not have a distinct odor and does not affect cats or people.

NM NO STRESS 8 in1

Advantages:

• long lasting effectiveness;
• safe, natural base;
• convenient use;
• minimum expenditure of funds.

Flaws:

• not detected.

Beaphar No Stress Spot On Drops

Another best sedative for pets from the Netherlands. The product has a prolonged effect and perfectly calms cats with increased excitability and anxiety. Perfect for small and older animals of any breed. The medicine is recommended for use during travel, moving, going to the doctor, when visiting guests and in bad weather. The composition of the product is represented by an extract of the medicinal herb - valerian. The sedative takes effect within 60 minutes. 1 cardboard package contains 3 medicine pipettes of 0.4 ml each. After one application, the result lasts up to a week.

Fully complies with the necessary medical standards. Is safe for animals. Systematically using the product, it perfectly fights panic attacks and anxiety. The product is especially useful for very shy cats. Due to its long-lasting therapeutic effect, it helps suppress neurotic symptoms and restores well-being.

Beaphar No Stress Spot On Drops

Advantages:

• prolonged impact.
• safe and natural ingredients in the composition.
• easy application.
• has almost no contraindications.

Flaws:

• not detected.

Apicenna Stop-Stress Plus drops

The remedy returns the animal's behavior to calm and normalizes the central nervous system. Under the influence of the drug, cats become more resistant to stress that may arise during exhibitions, travel, in the absence of owners, visits to the doctor, and hygiene procedures. The product acts delicately and quickly. It does not contain components that cause addiction to the animal. The drops can be placed on the cat's tongue or carried with food.

With the beginning of use, stress goes away, cats begin to sleep more, their excitability decreases and aggression disappears. The animal responds better to training and becomes more obedient. Easy to use and dispense. In addition, it does not cause side effects or complications. It can be combined with other medications and any types of feed or nutritional supplements. No contraindications have been identified.

Apicenna Stop-Stress Plus drops

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Advantages:

• the animal quickly calms down;
• based on natural ingredients;
• does not lead to addiction;
• economical consumption.

Flaws:

• not detected.

Fitex drops

The next place was taken by a drug developed by Russian specialists working in. Its specialization is the production of veterinary products for both domestic animals and agricultural animals. The high quality of products is marked by a European level certificate - GMP. Calming drops put the cat's psyche in order under various stresses, reduce aggressiveness and irritability, which usually increase during sexual activity. The composition is based on medicinal herbs and is safe for animals. The solution is available in dropper bottles, which are quite convenient to use.

“Fitex” is a real lifesaver on long trips and any outings that increase the cat’s anxiety. The recipe for the medicine ideally combines motherwort extract, common hop, valerian rhizome and Baikal skullcap. According to reviews from owners, after starting treatment with drops in cats, the activity of the nervous system returns to normal, and blood pressure levels become stable. It is important to take it in advance, then you can avoid stressful situations altogether.

Fitex drops

Advantages:

• safe composition;
• quick effect;
• excellent quality;
• wide scope of application.

Flaws:

• not detected.

Spray Doctor ZOO Calm cat

This behavior modulator, which completes the review, is characterized by fast action. With its help, you can prevent panic attacks and create a comfortable microclimate for your cat in the house or during a trip. As soon as the animal feels restless, it is necessary to spray the spray at its location. In preparation for transportation, you can treat the carrier itself, and it would also be a good idea to place a piece of fabric treated with the product in a house or on a bed. The Russian manufacturer carefully selects ingredients for its products, and has also organized a control system for finished products so that the result pleases the owners.

The components that make up Calm Cat are absolutely harmless to people, animals and indoor plants. The spray does not leave stains on furniture. The bottle is comfortable to hold in your hand, and the sprayer is specially designed in such a way as to deliver the solution precisely. The product has a lot of positive reviews. Cats feel comfortable even in the most alarming situations. Manifestations of aggression go away, behavior normalizes.

Spray Doctor ZOO Calm cat

Advantages:

• long-term action;
• environmentally natural;
• economical spray bottle;
• budget price.

Flaws:

• not detected.

Contraindications and adverse reactions

Some (especially synthetic) medications cause allergies and intolerance to components in animals. Therefore, their uncontrolled use is prohibited.

All sedatives and sleeping pills (even herbal ones) have contraindications:

• age up to one year;
• period of pregnancy, lactation;
• liver and kidney diseases;
• low pressure;
• diabetes.

If after treatment with the chosen drug the cat does not improve within two weeks, it is necessary to replace it with another.

There is an opinion that cats calm down after valerian. But this is not true, just the opposite - it excites. Valerian contains substances similar to pheromones that the body produces during sexual desire. Also side effects of valerian are addiction, dependence. But if it is contained in medications, then in minimal doses that do not cause anxiety or agitation in animals.

After being sedated, the cat becomes lethargic and quiet. This indicates that the dosage was selected correctly and there are no side effects.

Side effects include:

• refusal to eat;
• prostration;
• diarrhea;
• decrease in pressure, temperature;
• nausea, vomiting;
• profuse salivation.

Side effects can manifest themselves in the form of atypical behavior, changes in habits, and the appearance of hallucinations. In some cats, intestinal motility is disrupted and gastritis develops. The stronger the medicine, the greater the risk of side effects.

Rating of the best sleeping pills for 2021

Can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription. They are prohibited from being used at home. When an animal is under anesthesia, specialist supervision is required, since only he can prevent respiratory or cardiac arrest.

Xylanite

It is sold as a solution for injection. The medicine is light yellow or colorless. The main action is to immerse the small animal in a calm state for 1.5 -2 hours. Xialant can also be used as a pain reliever, in which case it will work for up to 30 minutes. The medicine begins to act half an hour after administration and is administered intramuscularly. The usual dose is 15 ml per 1 kg of animal.

Xylanite

Advantages:

• effective action;
• relieves pain.

Flaws:

• not found.

Barbamil

Used during operations or severe stress. The animal receives it orally. It is better to mix the medicine with your pet’s favorite food. Before use, the manufacturer strongly recommends consulting a doctor, since the medicine has many contraindications.

Barbamil

Advantages:

• ease of use;
• efficiency.

Flaws:

• many contraindications.

Ketamine

The drug acts not only as a sleeping pill, but also has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. It forces the heart to work at full capacity by increasing the heart rate and increasing blood pressure. It can be administered in two ways: intramuscularly and intravenously. Do not treat animals that may have seizures with the drug. It should also not be used in situations that could lead to a seizure.

Ketamine

Advantages:

• has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system;
• relieves pain.

Flaws:

• cannot be used for seizures.

Ftorotan

The animal receives this medicine in the form of inhalations. The dosage should be carefully calculated, otherwise an overdose may occur, leading to cardiac arrest. The animal falls into a state of anesthesia in a short time, bypassing the phase of motor excitation. The pet also quickly recovers from anesthesia.

Ftorotan

Advantages:

• acts quickly;
• good recovery of the animal's memory.

Flaws:

• not found.

Methoxyflurane

This drug is also used in the form of inhalations. Its effect lasts for a long time, since its ingredients tend to dissolve in lipids. Most often, methoxyflurane is used when, in addition to the hypnotic effect, the animal needs pain relief.

Methoxyflurane

Advantages:

• relieves pain;
• can be used in the form of inhalations.

Flaws:

• not found.

How often are sleeping pills used?

Sleeping pills affect the pet’s body and leave a mark for a long time. Therefore, you need to resort to such drugs as rarely as possible and only in the most extreme cases. Before taking medication directly, the animal should not eat for 24 hours.

It is allowed to administer sleeping pills at home, but only if the doctor has calculated the exact dosage and shown how to correctly administer the medication.

Independent choice of the drug and approximate dosage calculation can lead to death.

Sleeping pills belong to a separate group of medications. If they are used incorrectly, pathological changes may occur in the animal's body. Therefore, before use, it is imperative to consult a veterinarian. He will prescribe the appropriate medicine and calculate the dosage based on the individual characteristics of the pet. When the situation does not require drastic measures, it is better to choose milder herbal-based preparations; they will not cause harm to health.